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History of Farming Types
At the beginning of the 20th century, our need for eggs was met by hens kept in our backyards in a coop.
Some larger farmers also kept their hens in fields with mobile arks. The hens could scratch in the grass to gain extra food, and the arks were moved when the ground became muddy. Others kept hens indoors on litter. The birds had nest boxes to roost and lay eggs in.
At that time, people were eating only about 100 eggs per person per year, compared with about 230 now. Eggs were not readily available and they were expensive. As the demand for eggs increased, farmers kept larger and larger flocks on deep litter, but this sometimes led to problems with animal health and cannibalism.
Eventually, our methods for farming eggs changed and expanded to help meet the market’s growing needs. Today, diversity in both production methods and the scale of operators assists in ensuring the New Zealand egg industry remains progressive and forward thinking.
Conventional Caged Production Systems
Approximately 88% of eggs are produced from conventional caged production systems. Keeping hens in conventional cages enables eggs to be produced on a large scale and reduces problems of animal health and cannibalism. Conventional cage systems allow high hygiene standards to be met, through methods such as automatic removal of manure. Feed and water supplies are also constant, so that birds maintain excellent nutritional standards and hydration.
Here you can watch a typical New Zealand conventional caged production farm. This farm, filmed in May 2006, represents standard conventional cage farming practices in New Zealand. It meets the Animal Welfare (Layer Hen) Code of Welfare 2005 and has a registered Risk Management Programme under the Animal Products Act.
David is an independent specialist avian veterinarian. His comments are his own and are reflective of his 20 years of experience working in the poultry industry.
The Industry recognises that conventional cages limit birds’ ability to express natural behaviour and has been looking at alternatives for some years. Until the recent development of the colony system (more information below) there has been nothing available that met the objective of improved welfare without pushing eggs beyond the means of the general consumer.
New Enriched Colony Cage System
The colony system provides birds with additional space compared to conventional cages. It also provides areas for perching, laying and scratching so they can engage in natural behaviours. This also includes standing erect and extending their wings. The ability for hens to demonstrate natural behaviour is the key difference between conventional cages and free range or barn raised flocks, and now colony systems.
The diagram below shows the layout of an enriched colony cage. The colony portrayed in the diagram is 3618 mm long, 1250 mm wide and 450-525 mm deep.
Below are real-time snap shots of the colony system that show specific areas including nests, perches and scratch area, as mentioned in the interview with Professor Christine Nicol. The colonies in these shots conform in all respects, including bird numbers and stocking density, to the requirements of the proposed new Code of Welfare Practice.
Nest areas:
Perching areas:
Scratch areas:
The EPF contributed significant funding towards a $1 million pilot project trialling the new enriched colony system in a New Zealand setting, with a view to their long term implementation. The pilot project was undertaken in collaboration with MAF, the University of Bristol in UK and international experts in animal welfare. In this three years' project, the colony systems have demonstrated their capability in the New Zealand environment and have given the wider industry the confidence to consider transitioning to their use.
The transition from conventional cages to colony cages has been recommended in the new Draft Code of Welfare (Layer Hen), released by NAWAC on 8 February 2011 for public consultation. This key recommendation is consistent with the industry’s own direction. However, careful consideration around the transition timeline is vital to ensure both consumers and egg farmers are not adversely impacted by the changes. Click to see EPF's Media Statement and Background Questions and Answers in relation to the new draft.
Other Production Systems
About 12% of NZ eggs are produced in non-cage or alternative systems. These include free range and barn systems.
Free Range Egg Production:
Commercial free range farms can range from having a few hundreded birds to many thousands. The larger farms would have birds in a number of flocks. The sheds are fitted with nest boxes and perches. The birds have access to outdoors through pop-holes in the walls.
You can also watch several video interviews. The first is with veterinarian David Marks, where he outlines the biosecurity and disease issues and the welfare issues associated with free range egg production. Or, click here to watch an in-depth interview with Professor Christine Nicol about the free range system.
Barn Egg Production:
In a barn system, birds are kept in a large shed with a litter floor. There are perches for the birds to sit and sleep on. Nest boxes are provided for the hens to lay their eggs in.
Modernising Efforts
Over the past five years, the commercial egg industry has been actively modernising its housing systems. The New Zealand egg industry is well informed of overseas' research and development findings. Where appropriate, we follow and implement those findings. Our egg production systems, animal welfare and biosecurity standards lead the world and we hope to continue this trend well into the future.
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