October 7, 2013

Canada bans installation of conventional layer cages in Manitoba

According to Manitoba Co-operator, the Manitoba Egg Farmers (MEF) which represents nearly 170 egg and pullet producers, will ban the installation of any new conventional cages after December 31, 2014 on grounds of animal welfare.

In order to provide birds with more space, perches, scratching surfaces and private nesting boxes, producers will be required to use a furnished or enriched housing system instead of conventional cages. Free-run aviaries are also an option for producers moving away from the conventional cage system.

Ed Kleinsasser, Manitoba Egg Farmers chairman, said discussions on hen housing began several years ago, adding his organisation has kept a close eye on developments in Europe, where animal welfare concerns forced egg producers to abruptly switch to enriched housing.

A significant amount of research went into developing the enriched cages to ensure they suited the behavioural needs of chickens, said Bill Guenter, a poultry specialist at the University of Manitoba.

Enriched housing, which was first designed in Europe, was studied extensively in Manitoba before the egg farmers decided to adopt the housing system, which costs 20% to 25% more.

"With this system, the feathering is better, the bone health is better... the birds are healthier," Guenter said.

Having perches also makes the birds more comfortable. By providing hens with more space - 700 square centimetres per bird versus 420 in the old system - aggression is also lessened. If a bird is being pecked or bullied, it can move away from the aggressor.

Importantly, food safety is achieved with the enriched housing system.

"We are producing a food here and it's very important that the manure is separated from the eggs and so on, so food safety combined with the welfare initiative of open housing is really... a nice combination and a responsible balance," said Brenda Bazylewski, communications director for the Egg Farmers. "We envision this particular system will be around for quite some time."