Poultry: laying hens
40 page report from 2007.
This report looks at the scientific evidence to assess the ability of ‘enriched’ cages and non-cage systems to meet the welfare requirements of laying hens. The report concludes that well designed and managed non-cage systems provide higher standards of welfare than ‘enriched’ cages and that ‘enriched’ cages fail to meet many of the welfare requirements of hens.
25 page report from 2006.
Battery cages are due to be banned in the EU from 2012 but increasing industry pressure may result in a delay of up to 10 years. This illustrated report details the reasons why this is unacceptable.
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6 page summary from 2006.
12 page report from 2004.
Case studies of practical alternatives to the battery cage from Belgium, France, Spain, Sweden, and the UK.
24 page report from 2002.
Produced in response to promotion of ‘enriched cages’ by the EU egg industry; showing how they fail to overcome disadvantages of battery cages, since the hens still have inadequate space for natural behaviour. Discusses details of cage dimensions and design and economics of battery and ‘enriched’ cage.
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24 page report from 1999.
Uses results from published scientific studies to show that confinement in battery cages prevents hens from exercising their limbs and is the main cause of hens suffering broken bones from bone weakness. Section on bone breakages in transport for slaughter. Includes table of scientific results and glossary.
52 page report from 1997.
Detailed study of the welfare implications of housing hens in battery cages, and their behavioural needs, based on review of scientific literature.
20 page report from 1991.
Study of health and welfare of hens in cages, written by Edinburgh University welfare expert. Concludes hens suffer more in cages than in well-run alternative systems.
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