The Welfare of Farmed Animals (England) Regulations 2007

Regulation 5

SCHEDULE 2 Additional conditions that apply to the keeping of laying hens in non-cage systems

1.  All non-cage systems of production for keeping laying hens must comply with the requirements of this Schedule.

2.  All systems must be equipped in such a way that all laying hens have—

(a) linear feeders providing at least 10cm per bird or circular feeders providing at least 4cm per bird;

(b) continuous drinking troughs providing at least 2.5 cm per hen or circular drinking troughs providing at least 1 cm per hen;

(c) at least one nest for every seven hens and, if group nests are used, there must be at least 1 m² of nest space for a maximum of 120 hens;

(d) perches without sharp edges and providing at least 15 cm per hen, which must not be mounted above the litter, and the horizontal distance between perches must be at least 30 cm and the horizontal distance between the perch and the wall must be at least 20 cm; and

(e) at least 250 cm² of littered area per hen, the litter occupying at least one third of the ground surface.

3.  Where a system is equipped with nipple drinkers or cups, there must be at least one nipple drinker or cup for every 10 hens.

4.  Where a system has drinking points plumbed in, at least two cups or two nipple drinkers must be within reach of each hen.

5.  The floors of installations must be constructed so as to support each of the forward-facing claws of each bird’s foot.

6.  If systems are used where the laying hens can move freely between different levels—

(a) there must be no more than four levels;

(b) the headroom between the levels must be at least 45 cm;

(c) the drinking and feeding facilities must be distributed in such a way as to provide equal access for all hens; and

(d) the levels must be so arranged as to prevent droppings falling on the levels below.

7.  If laying hens have access to open runs —

(a) there must be several popholes giving direct access to the outer area, at least 35 cm high and 40 cm wide, and extending along the entire length of the building; and in any case, a total opening of 2 m must be available per group of 1,000 hens; and

(b) the open runs must be—

(i) of an area appropriate to the stocking density and to the nature of the ground, in order to prevent any contamination; and

(ii) equipped with shelter from adverse weather conditions and predators and, if necessary, drinking troughs.

8.  Subject to paragraph (9), the stocking density must not exceed nine laying hens per m² of usable area.

9.  Where on 3rd August 1999 the establishment applied a system where the usable area corresponded to the available ground surface, and the establishment was still applying this system on 25th June 2002, a stocking density of not more than 12 hens per m² is authorised until 31st December 2011.