March 13, 2013

Debut sales of enriched colony barn eggs in California, US

The first enriched colony of barn eggs in the US have gone on sale in the state of California.

The eggs, produced by JS West and Companies, are certified as humane by the American Humane Association's Humane Certified farm animal welfare programme, and marketed under the label, "Comfort Coop".

Enriched colony housing provides room for hens to move freely and meets the natural behavior need of hens to nest, perch and scratch. For consumers, enriched colony eggs provide a safe and affordable choice that meets the ethical considerations for animal welfare.

Enriched Colony Barns were first endorsed in 2010 as a humane production system by American Humane Association, based on existing research and science-based animal welfare standards.

Enriched Colony Housing was proposed to Congress this year, and was sponsored in the Senate by Diane Feinstein of California, as the mandated minimum standard for egg production in the US.