The Welfare of Farmed Animals (Wales) Regulations 2001

regulation 5 A

[F1 SCHEDULE 3A E+W NON-CAGE SYSTEMS

Textual Amendments

F1 Sch. 3A inserted (6.8.2002) by The Welfare of Farmed Animals (Wales) (Amendment) Regulations 2002 (S.I. 2002/1898), regs. 1(2), 2(8), Sch.

1.   All newly built or rebuilt non-cage systems of production for keeping laying hens and all such systems of production brought into use for the first time shall comply with the requirements of this Schedule. E+W

2.   From 1st January 2007, all non-cage systems of production for keeping laying hens shall comply with the requirements of this Schedule. E+W

3.   All systems must be equipped in such a way that all laying hens have: E+W

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

(b) either continuous drinking troughs providing 2.5 cm per hen or circular drinking troughs providing 1 cm per hen, and, in addition, where nipple drinkers or cups are used, there shall be at least one nipple drinker or cup for every 10 hens. Where drinking points are plumbed in, at least two cups or two nipple drinkers shall be within reach of each hen;

(c) at least one nest for every seven hens. 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. Perches 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.

4.   The floors of installations must be constructed so as to support each of the forward-facing claws of each hen’s foot. E+W

5.   In addition to the requirements of paragraphs 2 and 3— E+W

(a) If systems of rearing are used where the laying hens can move freely between different levels—

(i) there shall be no more than four levels;

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

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

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

(b) if laying hens have access to open runs:

(i) 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

(ii) open runs must be of an area appropriate to the stocking density and to the nature of the ground, in order to prevent any contamination and equipped with shelter from inclement weather and predators and, if necessary, appropriate drinking troughs.

6.   Subject to paragraph 7, the stocking density must not exceed nine laying hens per square metre of usable area. E+W

7.   Where on 3 August 1999 the establishment applied a system where the usable area corresponded to the available ground surface, and the establishment is still applying this system before 6th August 2002, a stocking density of 12 hens per square metre is authorised until 31 December 2011.] E+W