Council Directive 1999/74/ECShow full title

CHAPTER III U.K. Provisions applicable to rearing in enriched cages

Article 6 U.K.

Member States shall ensure that after 1 January 2002 all the cages referred to in this chapter comply at least with the following requirements:

1.

laying hens must have:

(a)

at least 750 cm² of cage area per hen, 600 cm² of which shall be usable; the height of the cage other than that above the usable area shall be at least 20 cm at every point and no cage shall have a total area that is less than 2000 cm²;

(b)

a nest;

(c)

litter such that pecking and scratching are possible;

(d)

appropriate perches allowing at least 15 cm per hen;

2.

a feed trough which may be used without restriction must be provided. Its length must be at least 12 cm multiplied by the number of hens in the cage;

3.

each cage must have a drinking system appropriate to the size of the group; where nipple drinkers are provided, at least two nipple drinkers or two cups must be within the reach of each hen;

4.

to facilitate inspection, installation and depopulation of hens there must be a minimum aisle width of 90 cm between tiers of cages and a space of at least 35 cm must be allowed between the floor of the building and the bottom tier of cages;

5.

cages must be fitted with suitable claw-shortening devices.