| Eggs are produced in three types of production system. The Farm Animal Welfare Council compared the three systems – click here to read their conclusions
1) Laying Cage System
2) Barn System
3) Free Range and Organic Systems
1) Laying Cage System
How the hens are kept
Laying cages are the most common method of commercial egg production in the UK - representing around 63% of eggs produced in 2006.
Typically a laying cage system consists of a series of at least three tiers of cages. The cages have sloping mesh floors so that the eggs roll forward out of the reach of the birds to await collection. Droppings pass through the mesh floors onto boards, belts, the floors of the house or into a pit to await removal.
Since 2003 only installation of enriched cages are allowed with 750cm² per bird along with a nest, perching space and a scratching area. Many of the new enriched colony cages contain 40-60 birds giving them more room to move around in a colony.
Environmental Controls
Food is supplied in troughs fitted to the cage fronts and an automatic water supply is provided. The units are kept at an even temperature and are well ventilated. Electric lighting provides an optimum day length throughout the year.
All cage units are fitted with alarms that will ring if any of the ventilation equipment fails. Alternative ways of feeding and of maintaining a satisfactory environment are available in the event of a breakdown.
Lion Quality eggs produced by hens in cages do not use 'farm' descriptions nor pictures of hens roaming freely on the egg box.
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2) Barn System
Around 6% of eggs sold in the UK in 2006 were produced in the barn system.
How the hens are kept
In the barn system the hen house has a series of perches and feeders at different levels. The Welfare of Laying Hens Directive stipulates a maximum stocking density of 9 hens per square metre of useable floor space for systems installed since 1st January 2002 (the current European Egg Marketing Regulations allow a maximum stocking density of 25 birds per m2). Perches for the birds must be installed to allow 15 centimetres of perch per hen.
One nest box per five birds or communal nests, at the rate of 120 birds /m² of floor area of communal nest, is provided. Water and feeding troughs are raised so that the specially prepared food is not scattered. Electric lighting is provided to give an optimum day length throughout the year. At the end of the laying period the house is completely cleared and disinfected.
Additional requirements of the Lion Code
The Lion Quality Code of Practice stipulates the following additional standards for Lion Quality barn eggs: maximum flock size of 32,000 birds divided into colonies of 4,000 where flock size is over 6,000 birds in total; maximum stocking density in-house of 11.7 birds/m² for part litter and slat systems; scratching area for dust bathing; 5cm linear length or 4cm circular feeding and drinking space per hen.
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3) Free Range and Organic Systems
The free range and organic systems accounted for around 32% of eggs produced in the UK in 2006.
• Free Range System
How the hens are kept
The Welfare of Laying Hens Directive stipulates that for eggs to be termed 'free range', hens must have continuous daytime access to runs which are mainly covered with vegetation and with a maximum stocking density of 2,500 birds per hectare. The hen house conditions for free range hens must comply with the regulations for birds kept in barn systems.
Additional requirements of the Lion Code
The Lion Quality Code of Practice stipulates the same additional standards for Lion Quality free range eggs as for Lion Quality barn eggs plus provision of outdoor shading in absence of a veranda and one pop-hole per 600 birds open for 8 hours daily to allow access to the outside; maximum flock size of 16,000 birds divided into colonies of 4,000 where flock size is over 6,000 birds in total; a maximum stocking density of 1,000 birds per hectare.
• Organic System
Hens producing organic eggs are always free range. In addition, hens must be fed an organically produced diet and ranged on organic land.
Organic eggs are produced in the UK according to criteria set by the Advisory Committee on Organic Standards (ACOS) – which sets basic standards for organic production in the UK, in line with EU legislation.
Members of ACOS include the Soil Association, Organic Farmers and Growers and Organic Food Federation. All adhere to ACOS’s basic standards, but may introduce higher standards in certain areas for their members.
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More info
Comparing the Different Systems
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