Comprehensive evidence to improve the welfare of chickens and hens
In February 2023, the European Food Safety Authority published its reports on the welfare of hens and chickens on factory farms. They recommended a ban on cages in the egg industry and had some strong conclusions about chickens. These include greatly reduced stocking density, healthier breeds, outdoor housing, and species-appropriate housing.
The new recommendations for chickens
Since February 2023, the European Food Safety Authority, EFSA, has been recommending an urgent reduction in stocking density for chickens – to allow them to behave naturally and have less ammonia burns under their feet. Their recommendation is now a maximum of 11 kilograms per square metre, which is less than a third of the level in Sweden and the rest of the EU (36 kg/m2, up to 42 kg/m2).
They also argue that Frankenchickens, bred for fast growth, must be eliminated. They do this by recommending a maximum growth rate of 50 grams per day, which is significantly lower than the Ross 308 chicken breed used in Europe, and in line with the breeds recommended for the European Chicken Commitment (ECC).
To allow chickens to behave naturally, verandas and outdoor runs are also recommended. In addition, raised platforms and dark “huts” are recommended, which are completely lacking in chicken factory farms today. The new recommendation is based on that chickens reared for slaughter are newly hatched when they arrive to the farm and have no opportunity to hide under anything resembling their mother's wings, as they would under natural conditions.
Otherwise, any form of surgical intervention, which is currently used for breeding animals, is discouraged. Such as toe clipping and beak trimming.
The conclusions in brief:
- Reduced growth rate to a maximum of 50 grams per day.
- Reduced stocking density to max 11 kg/m2.
- Free access to dry litter, more like sand, and enrichment.
- Access to a veranda with fresh air, and preferably outdoor exercise with vegetation.
- Access to raised platforms or perches.
- Access to dark ‘huts’ (brooders) for the youngest chicks.
All conclusions are in line with the ECC or better, making it clear that the criteria included in the ECC are the very least we can ask for.
Source:
EFSA Panel on Animal Health and Welfare (2023) Welfare of broilers on farm. EFSA Journal 21(2): e07788.
The new recommendations for hens in egg factory farms
EFSA’s main conclusion for hens is that cages need to be phased out completely, and beak trimming and other surgical procedures should be banned.
Furthermore, they state that the current stocking density of up to nine hens per square metre needs to be more than halved to a maximum of four per square metre. Like Project 1882, they also want to see more daylight, outdoor runs and verandas where hens can behave more naturally and get fresh air. However, EFSA is not as harsh on genetics, and that it needs to be improved towards less production-oriented breeding to reduce injuries and behavioural problems, as Project 1882 would have liked.
Nevertheless, several of the recommendations are in line with the Hens' Asks developed by Project 1882, together with other member organisations of the Eurogroup for Animals.
Source:
EFSA Panel on Animal Health and Welfare (2023) Welfare of laying hens on farm. EFSA Journal 21(2): e07788
