The Seattle Times

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CLIFF DESPEAUX / THE SEATTLE TIMES
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Wednesday, December 22, 2010

Seattle Times Pictures of the Year 2010

Oct. 1: Cage-free organic chickens roam the grounds of Stiebrs Farms in Yelm, Thurston County. The chickens are allowed outside from approximately 10:30 a.m. until dusk. The farm has about 125,000 hens. "This picture illustrates a story about how Stiebrs Farms interprets what "cage-free" and "organic" means to them, because some farms allow their organic chickens just minutes of outdoor time per day - if at all. Shooting this picture was a challenge: After finding a good location (under one of the ramps the chickens use to go outdoors), I had to wait - crouched, getting filthier by the second - until the birds on the ground and the birds on the ramp made a unique composition." - Cliff DesPeaux