Laying hens

Important factors to consider in designing your cage-free housing are as follows:

• The provision of sufficient space to live – the maximum density permitted in the EU for barn and free-range systems is 9 birds/m2, but reducing this to 7 birds/m2 can significantly benefit the hens – giving them more space to move freely. We recommend a maximum stocking density of 15 birds/m2 at the floor level in an aviary barn system.
• Providing sufficient enrichment materials to occupy the hens such as foraging, pecking and dustbathing substrates, and plenty of perching space.
• Providing different functional spaces – e.g. separate day and night quarters, with high perches for resting, plenty of nest boxes, and separate activity zones for dustbathing, foraging and scratching; or at least access to a veranda and natural light.
• Free range systems should have good shade and shelter to encourage outdoor ranging, and a variety of herbs, shrubs, and grasses to satisfy the foraging needs of the hens.
• It is also important that the pullet rearing house is similar in design to the laying house as this allows the young hens to get accustomed to perching – especially jumping on and off the perches - so they don’t injure themselves. They will also be less fearful of their new surroundings when moved into a similar style of laying house.
• Future proofing your business – investment is critical to commercial sustainability and will allow you to prepare for upcoming issues such as the need to operate without beak trimming, improving keel bone damage and maintaining good feather coverage, as well as providing more natural light, giving the birds access to verandas and addressing the need to end the unnecessary killing of male chicks.

View our latest resources on housing design here:

• Practical Guide - Alternative cage-free systems for laying hens
• Summary - Additional guidance on multi-tier systems
• Video - Fit for purpose cage free system for laying hens
  
• Video - Noble Foods - making cage free eggs a commercial reality
  
• Case study - The importance of appropriate pullet rearing

Why these systems are not fit for purpose

Combination (‘combi’) or limited access housing systems for laying hens feature aspects of both aviaries and conventional cages. They are multi-tiered structures that have doors so although birds can roam when the doors are open, the system converts into a caged system when the doors are closed.

These systems are promoted as offering management and production benefits and are marketed to maximize stocking density and have the ability to be operated in total confinement if market pressures around cage-free production change.

However, these systems are not suitable alternative cage free systems because:

• The birds can be confined in cages either routinely or permanently, causing frustration and limiting the movement of the hens.
• Stocking density is comparable to conventional systems so do not provide any more space to live.
• Key features and equipment to encourage important behaviours such as nesting and scratching are lacking.
• Movement through the system (within tiers, between tiers, and between rows) is restricted.
• Limited access systems confine hens to particular areas within the tiers, when they should have access to the full system at all times.

Much of the restrictions/limitations noted above also apply to intensive multi-tier or COMPACT systems.

Half-caged systems, combi-systems, or routinely closing aviaries, and highly intensive COMPACT multi-tier systems, compromise the welfare of the hen and present reputational and commercial investment risk. They are an unwise investment in a system that may be outdated and outlawed well before the end of its commercial life-span.

We advise companies not to invest in these systems, or to modify any existing combi-systems and to invest in well-designed aviary systems as a minimum.

Read more about our guidance on ‘combi’ systems.

Key factors for a successful cage-free supply chain

We encourage all companies to support a cage-free future by:

1. Making cage-free your new baseline for both shell and ingredient eggs and publicising this commitment to your customers
2. Engaging with your suppliers from the start and giving them the confidence to invest in new cage-free systems through long-term contracts.
3. Ensuring you invest in the right system that is fit for purpose and future-proofed, by providing your suppliers with specific system design requirements (i.e. no combi cages).
4. Take the consumer on the journey with you - when your customers understand what cage-free really means for laying hen welfare, they are much more likely to choose higher welfare products on shelf. Marketing and promotion is an opportunity and a the key to success!
5. Lobbying government to help create a level playing field for egg producers so that they are not undermined by cheaper imports (through trade deals) from inferior egg production systems.

Find out more about the welfare policies for UK retailers and how the various certification schemes compare with Compassion’s criteria for higher welfare egg production.