The Welfare of Farmed Animals (England) Regulations 2000

1.  All cages must comply with the following requirements— E+W

(a) the cage area, measured in a horizontal plane, for each laying hen shall be not less than—

(i) 1000 cm² where one hen is kept in the cage;

(ii) 750 cm² where two hens are kept in the cage;

(iii) 550 cm² where three hens are kept in the cage; and

(iv) 450 cm² where four or more hens are kept in the cage;

(b) the minimum cage area for each laying hen shall be capable of being used without restriction and may include the area where the non-waste deflection plate (otherwise known as the egg guard) is placed so long as that area is capable of being so used;

(c) a feed trough of a length not less than 10 cm multiplied by the number of hens in the cage and capable of being used without restriction shall be provided;

(d) except where nipple drinkers and drinking cups are provided, the cage shall have a continuous drinking channel which shall not be less than 10 cm multiplied by the number of hens in the cage, and capable of being used without restriction;

(e) where drinking points are plumbed in, there shall be a minimum of two nipple drinkers or two drinking cups within reach of the cage;

(f) the height of the cage, for 65% of its area, shall be not less than 40 cm, and, for the remainder of the area, shall be not less than 35 cm (the height being obtained by a vertical line from the floor to the nearest point in the roof and the area being obtained by multiplying 450cm² by the number of birds kept in the cage);

(g) the floor of the cage shall be constructed so as to support adequately each of the forward facing claws of each foot; and

(h) the slope of the floor shall not exceed 14% or 8 degrees, when made of rectangular wire mesh, and 21.3% or 12 degrees for other types of floor.