Laying Hens |
76% of Britain's laying hens are housed in tiered
cages in enviromentally controlled buildings. |
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Water is continually available and feed troughs
are filled automatically. To keep the birds, cages
and eggs clean, the droppings are seperated from
the birds and are removed regularly. |
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Disease and mortality reates are generally lower
in laying cages than in other systems. |
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There are normally four or five birds in a cage
and each bird must have at least 450 square cm
of space, allowing them to stretch their wings.
The updated Directive for Welfare of Laying Hens
stipulates that from 1 January 2003, all cages
must allow at least 550 square cm per hen of cage
area and claw shortening devices be fitted. From
1 January 2003 these cages must no longer be built
or brought into use for the first time. From 2012,
only enriched cages that have a perch, dust bath
and nesting area will be used. |
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