More space and room to scratch
Hens love to nest, perch, scratch and stretch their wings and the Colony cage environment provides the space and features for them to do so, as they are equipped with “furnishings” like nest boxes, perches and scratch pads. Colonies meet quality and welfare requirements, while also being cheaper, helping maintain the affordability of eggs for consumers. New Zealand’s National Animal Welfare Advisory Committee (NAWAC), a group of welfare experts who provide independent advice to the Ministry for Primary Industries and the Minister evaluated colonies as providing equivalent welfare to barn and free-range systems*. With the introduction of colony cage systems, as endorsed by NAWAC and the Ministry for Primary Industries in the Code of Welfare for Layer Hens, New Zealand is amongst the world’s best practice in egg farming.
- Colonies provide a minimum of 750 square cm per bird, and like an ‘open plan’ home they have access to the full area with room to move and interact socially with other hens
- Colonies can house up to 60 birds
- Colonies have reserved areas for nesting, where the hens will lay their eggs each morning
- Perching areas are available for all hens
- There is a pad for scratching and pecking
- As in any egg farming method, food and water are always readily available
- A continuous moving belt captures and removes faecal matter for hygiene and welfare.
Animal Welfare (Layer Hens) Code of Welfare 2012
Animal Welfare (Layer Hens) Code of Welfare 2012 Amendment Notice 2013
NAWAC Layer Hen Code Report – 06 Dec 2012
New Zealand Welfare science
As part of an extensive review of colony cage systems before their adoption in the 2012 Code of Welfare, a New Zealand-based study by the EPF, in conjunction with leading animal welfare experts from Bristol University and the Ministry for Primary Industries (previously known as MAF), evaluated the welfare and health implications of colonies with positive results. Overall, the research showed:
- Colony furnishings, such as the scratch pads, nests and perches, are well-used by hens
- There is little difference in the physical health of colony cage and free-range hens, with the exception of non-beak trimmed hens in either group, which were more likely to have lower feathering scores, and free-range hens which were more likely to show signs of past bone fractures
- Colony cage hens have lower mortality rates than barn or free-range hens
- Beak-trimmed colony hens have comparably low levels of Faucal Corticosterone (a stress indicator) as free-range hens.
Transitioning to colonies from cages
The EPF was pleased that colony cage systems were identified in the Code of Welfare as a welfare-friendly and sustainable solution to current cages (which were phased out at the end of 2022).
The EPF and MPI commissioned several independent reviews of the economic impact of the transition to colonies, both for the industry and for consumers. It was estimated that the cost to the cage egg farmers would be up to 150 million dollars.
You can read these reports individually, or a summary here:
prepared for NAWAC and the Minister of Agriculture Nimmo-Bell Ltd economic analysis, which was commissioned by the EPF to look at the economic impact of the changes proposed in the Draft Code LECG market dynamics analysis, also commissioned by the EPF, is an investigation into egg market dynamics and the impact of changed production requirements.The alternatives of converting to barn or free-range operations are more costly, with both higher capital costs and operational costs, and the similar need to move or entirely redevelop farming facilities. Once established, the day-to-day operations of barn and free-range production systems are also more labour-intensive and therefore more expensive, whereas the bulk of consumers are seeking a more affordable egg.
Consumer studies
New Zealand research company Qzone also undertook an independent study to understand the impact farming types have on people’s egg purchasing decisions. This report found that:
- A third of consumers say that farming methods affect their egg purchase choices, while another third say it has affect but other considerations are important, and a further third say that farming methods do not affect their purchase at all.
- By and large there is a positive reaction to colony farming.
- Price will have an effect. While many shoppers express some flexibility on price; around 22% express zero or little tolerance for a price increase.
