Guidelines

Modern Cage Systems

Housing and Space

The Scientific Committee considered all types of egg production systems and concluded that all have their advantages and disadvantages and that both cage and non-cage production systems are humane and ethical. Because of the fact that approximately 98 percent of all layer flocks in the U.S. are housed indoors and in cages, the committee focused its recommendations on cage production. The committee concluded that depending on the size of the laying hen and the size and style of the cage, hens needed space of 67 to 86 inches per bird.

To have moved to this spacing immediately would have created severe egg shortages, market disruptions, and likely major price increases. In due respect for their customers, the egg industry established a phase-in program to implement the space requirements over a 5-year period.

Cage systems provide cleaner eggs and also keep the eggs safe from bacteria that might be present in the manure. Housing for chicks, pullets and hens is required to be constructed and maintained as to provide protection for the birds from environmental extremes and predators. House and cage design also must facilitate optimal daily care and inspection of the birds.

Feed and Water

It is every egg farmer's responsibility to make sure his/her birds are receiving feed balanced with all the required nutrients, including vitamins and minerals. Feed is formulated to meet the daily requirements of the birds throughout their lives. Birds in cages have ready access to feed troughs directly in front of the cage and water is accessed easily from each cage. Water must be provided through systems that ensure the hens have access to clean and fresh water at all times. Housed in cages, birds seldom require medicine and are never fed hormones or steroids. Antibiotics are only used when birds are ill.

Guidelines for Cage-free Egg Production

*Please note the information below is only an overview of the cage-free guidelines. To download a complete version of the UEP Guidelines, please click here.

The guidelines for cage-free production have been established for UEP Certified companies that have all or at least some production in cage-free systems. Compliance with these guidelines is required for a UEP Certified company that has cage-free production.

Incomplete Flocks

A house that is not completely filled on the original date of housing is considered an incomplete flock and may accept additional pullets up to a maximum of 3 weeks later to complete the filling of the house to the UEP Certified space allowance. Birds added after this period have to be segregated so that commingling of birds from multiple ages does not occur. Company records must document when the layer house was originally supplied with pullets and when additional pullets were added.

Feed and Water

Diets for producing hens must be formulated and fed to promote good health and normal production. To minimize the risk of bone fractures, hens in lay should be able to consume enough calcium and phosphorus daily to support eggshell formation without loss of structural bone.

Clean, fresh water must be accessible at all times, except when water is shut off temporarily in preparation for administration of vaccines or therapeutic medications in the water. Water must be provided in quantities sufficient to promote normal hydration, health, and productivity. Water must not become contaminated with litter or feces. Drinkers should be designed to prevent water spillage. Water being consumed by hens should be tested at least once per year to ensure the water is potable.

Nest Space

Nests are provided in cage-free systems to facilitate egg collection, to minimize the risk of cloacal cannibalism, and for food safety and sanitary reasons. Every effort should be made to avoid eggs being laid outside nests. All eggs laid outside nests should be gathered at least once daily.

Nest should be draft-free and dark inside. Research indicates that lights in nest boxes increase the risk of cannibalism. Nest should be constructed and maintained to protect hens from external parasites and disease organisms. Nest should be closed to bird access at night and re-opened prior to lay early in the morning.

Perches

Perches are designed to allow hens living in large flocks to roost comfortably with a minimum of disturbance, to provide hens with a refuge from injurious pecking, and to minimize flightiness. Hens should be able to wrap their toes around the perch and balance evenly on the perch in a relaxed posture for an extended period. There should be sufficient space on either side of any perch to allow hens to grip the perch without risk of trapping their claws.

Litter

Scratch areas covered with litter are provided for hens living in large flocks to reduce the risk of feather pecking and cannibalism, and to minimize flightiness. Many types of litter can work in an egg production system. The most important feature of keeping hens on litter is proper management of litter condition.

Lighting

Lighting should be brighter in the scratch area than elsewhere in the house to reduce the risk of eggs being laid on the floor. Light intensity should be lowered gradually or in steps prior to lights going out for the night to encourage hens to move up onto slats, tiers and perches and get settled for the night. Natural light during dawn or dusk is adequate to meet this recommendation.

Temperature, Air and Quality

Housing should protect birds from exposure to anticipated adverse environmental conditions, including excessive heat, cold, and precipitation. Bird movement and litter in cage-free systems can result in higher concentrations of bacteria, fungi, internal and external parasites, noxious gases, and dust in the air when compared with cage systems. Air quality can deteriorate rapidly when the ventilation rate is reduced in winter to conserve heat. Good husbandry, appropriate house construction, proper ventilation, and careful attention to sanitation are needed to ensure acceptable temperature and air quality.