Page 11 - National Poultry Newspaper

Free range layer info confusion
* from P10
However societal ex-
iours – and non-cage systems.
produced in all hous- ing systems – cage, barn and free range – pro- viding consumer choice based on purchasing preferences.
pectations have changed regarding the treatment and wellbeing of ani- mals in food production.
The key challenges of non-cage systems are that it can be difficult to manage hen behaviour due to larger group size and to protect hens from the spread of diseases.
The type and number of each system contin- ues to evolve.
What egg produc-
tion systems are used around the world?
Thus, alternative mod- els for commercial scale egg production were consequently devel- oped.
No single system yet developed is able to meet all societal needs in the volume needed to feed an increasing population.
These include en- riched cages – to pro- vide more space and opportunities for hens to exhibit natural behav-
In 2018, eggs were
The most common egg production sys- tem worldwide is cage, with approximately 80 percent of all eggs pro- duced in this way.
Free range housing inside. Conditions on the range vary significantly depending on climatic conditions.
Free range housing outside. Conditions on the range vary significantly depending on climatic conditions.
In countries where there are high rates of non-cage produc- tion, hens are typically housed in barn produc- tion systems.
Some countries have banned conventional cages but permit en- riched cages, while oth- ers have committed to phase out all cage egg production in favour of non-cage systems.
Australia has a rela- tively high percentage of birds housed in free range production.
It is generally thought that the European Un- ion banned cages and is now predominantly free range.
However, while the EU did move to free range, it was found in- creasingly difficult to control disease and there has since been a shift back to the caged system.
The US is still domi- nated by the caged egg production system.
Poultry disease a concern for free range hens
MANYAustralianshave Iftheycomeintocontact grees,believingthatwhile
“Supermarkets say ‘a cage is a cage is a cage’, which is why I don’t think in this context that eggs from cages will be accept- able to most consumers.”
moved away from pur- chasing cage-produced eggs.
with wild birds, ranging chickens can contract AI.
avoiding the negative cage aspects, furnished cages can’t provide a positive ex- perience for hens.
And half the eggs sold in Australian shops are free range, however for eco- nomic reasons, commercial operators including restau- rants and bakeries tend to purchase cage-produced eggs.
More than 460,000 hens were culled after an out- break last year in Victoria.
“Furnished cages could provide a nest, for example, but they couldn't provide proper foraging and full exercise and certainly not dust bathing in the sun,” Ms Oodjes said.
Poultry veterinarian Dr Rod Jenner – who has worked with Egg Farmers of Australia – said public perception of the lives of layer hens is quite different to his experience working in the industry.
A consideration by the industry to implement fur- nished cages as a compro- mise between caged and free-range systems was suggested by Dr Jenner.
“It’s a matter of time be- fore it happens again,” Dr Jenner said.
Ms Oodjes is of the opin- ion that with the advent of plant-based alternatives, many people may choose to stop eating eggs alto- gether.
“Do we accept that risk?
“Perhaps, but the conse- quences are horrendous.”
“I've seen many birds in cages that are quite con- tent, quite happy,” Dr Jen- ner said.
Larger than conventional poultry cages, furnished cages containing a perch, an area for nesting and possibly a litter, have been allowed for in the draft na- tional plan.
“Caged birds are less prone than free range hens to infectious diseases, some of which have no effective treatment.
“Furnished cages are able to provide all of those re- quirements for the good life of the hen,” Dr Jenner said.
“Of particular concern is avian influenza, which can be carried by wild water birds.”
However, Animals Aus- tralia chief executive of- ficer Glenys Oodjes disa-
Dr Rod Jenner suggests a consideration by the indus- try to implement furnished cages as a compromise between caged and free-range systems.
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National Poultry Newspaper, February 2022 – Page 11