The Welfare of Battery Hens Regulations 1987

Explanatory Note

(This note is not part of the Relations)

These Regulations implement Council Directive 86/113/EEC (O.J. No. L95, 10.4.86, p.45) which lays down minimum standards for the protection of laying hens kept in battery cages. The main requirements of the Regulations relate to the construction and size of battery cages; feeding and watering of the hens; insulation and ventilation of the buildings in which the hens are kept; daily inspection of the flock and of any automatic and mechanical equipment; taking of remedial action where the hens do not appear to be in good health and rectifying any defects in such equipment; cleansing and disinfection of the cages and the taking care of the hens by competent personnel (regulation 2 and the Schedule). Where four or more hens are kept in a cage, the minimum area for each hen must be 450 cm2. The height of the cage over 65% of the minimum cage area must not be less than 40 cm and not less than 35 cm at any point over that area.

Those requirements of the Regulations which are set out in the Schedule apply to all battery cages as from 1st January 1988. However the application of the requirements set out in sub-paragraphs (a) to (h) of regulation 2 is postponed until 1st January 1995 in respect of cages which were built and put into use before 1st January 1988 and are not reconstructed after that date (regulation 2(2)).

By virtue of regulation 4, the Welfare of Livestock (Intensive Units) Regulations 1978 cease to apply to laying hens kept in battery cages.