Hugh's Chicken Run Episode Rating Graph

Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall challenges Britain's chicken consumption, in an attempt to encourage the nation to choose free-range produce. In the first episode, he opens up his own intensive poultry production unit and a free range unit for comparison.

Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall's plan to change the way consumers buy poultry is given the support of Jamie Oliver, as the residents of Millwey are given a shocking demonstration of how badly cheap birds can be treated in a purely commercial setting. The effect of different conditions is exposed with the comparison of Hugh's 2,500 rapidly growing chickens and their 1,500 free-range neighbours.

The residents kill, cook and eat the chickens some have come to regard as pets. Meanwhile Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall attempts to persuade Axminster shops, supermarkets, pubs and restaurants to supply only free-range poultry. His ambitious plans are not helped by allegations he is only engaging in the campaign to increase his own business's sales. Last in series.