Free range birds live a healthy, outdoor lifestyle but as with any animal allowed outside there is an increased risk of exposure to disease. To counter this, free range flocks are under the supervision of specialist poultry vets, such as Alan Beynon from Devon, pictured above.

Alan regularly visits the free range farms he looks after and, working with the farmer, puts in place a health plan to ensure everything is being done to keep flocks in full health. Occasionally, if flocks are ill, they may need antibiotics but this is strictly controlled by the vets.