I believe barns are popular because the laying hens, or the meat hens (2 different breeds), will grow and produce optimally when fed balanced feeds. Put them outside and they will eat grass, weeds, seeds, and insects slowly, often balanced with an equivalent amount of dirt. This makes for rich yolks, but fewer. Or, for the megabred meatheads, tough but flavorful chickens.
I reluctantly conclude that barns are better, with allowable outdoor exposure but not a lot of feed provided there. Exactly what the organic producers do.
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