Comparing the Different Systems

In 1997 the Farm Animal Welfare Council (FAWC), a Government funded body, compared the pros and cons of different production systems.

Summary of FAWC’s findings:

1) Laying Cage System

Pro’s
- Easy to control environment eg temperature, feed, water and light
- Space restriction suppresses hen aggression
- Small hen colony size
- Good disease control
- No threat from predators

Cons
- Lack of space/facilities prevents certain normal behaviour eg dust bathing
- Cage structure may cause feather and foot damage
- Confinement leads to weak bones and bone breakages

2) Perchery (Barn) Systems

Pro's
- Varied physical environment where normal behaviour can be expressed
- Protection against predators
- Freedom to move within the hen house
- Provision of nest boxes, perches and dust bathing facilities
- Improved bone strength due to increased activity
- Birds can escape aggression by moving within the hen house

Cons
- Beak trimming may be required to prevent bird aggression such as feather pecking and cannibalism
- Management of waste droppings more difficult
- Hens can be injured by falling between perches at different levels
- Increased risks of parasites

3) Free Range Systems

Pro's
- Freedom to move freely and express wide range of behaviour
- Opportunity to graze on vegetation and varied diet
- Opportunity to dust bathe in soil
- Improved bone strength due to increased activity

Cons
- Beak trimming essential to prevent bird aggression such as feather pecking and cannibalism because of large flock sizes
- Risk of predators
- Disease risk due to access to droppings and contact with wild birds
- Adverse climate outside