December 18, 2007
 

Stress levels higher in free-range hens
 

An Australian researcher has found that free-range hens experience as much or more stress than hens housed in modern cage production systems.

The research measured corticosterone, a hormone produced in response to fear, in eggs from cage-housed and free-range hens and found similar levels of the hormone in the eggs of the hens in both kinds of systems, according to a report on the research by the United Egg Producers (UEP).

Dr.Jeff Downing, who conducted the study attributed this to the fact that free-range hens must cope with predators and "are constantly in fear of attack," while cage-housed hens are protected.

Cage-housed hens also are protected from extreme weather, disease and parasites that would stress hens kept outside even more, Downing, who is associated with the Sydney University in Australia said.

Eggs from free range chickens are gaining popularity in the EU, especially in the UK.