<p content="This code represents the most significant change we've ever seen in Canada's egg industry. Currently, 90% of egg-laying hens in Canada live in cramped, barren battery cages. As of April 1, 2017, no new barren battery cages will be built in Canada, which is an important first step in transitioning the country's egg farms to more humane practices." data-reactid="7" type="text"> This code represents the most significant change we've ever seen in Canada's egg industry. Currently, 90% of egg-laying hens in Canada live in cramped, barren battery cages. As of April 1, 2017, no new barren battery cages will be built in Canada, which is an important first step in transitioning the country's egg farms to more humane practices.
Transitioning away from barren battery cages is the right thing to do. This shift puts egg farmers on the right side of animal welfare science, which shows that hens experience extreme stress and frustration when they are unable to express the behaviours that come naturally to them, like dust-bathing and foraging. Cramped cages also prevent hens from walking or even spreading their wings for their entire lives.
This new code also introduces world-leading cage-free standards in response to public concern about the lack of guidelines for how cage-free systems operate in Canada.
The new standards in this code will ensure that the term cage-free is as progressive as it sounds."" data-reactid="11" type="text"> "Unregulated, cage-free housing can be just as problematic as barren battery cages, with no enrichment for the hens and much more aggression and stress," says Geoff Urton, a key negotiator for CFHS on the Laying Hen Code Development Committee. "The new standards in this code will ensure that the term cage-free is as progressive as it sounds."
The biggest strengths of this new code are:
- No new barren battery cages will be built as of April 1, 2017
- Barren battery cages in Canada are being phased out within the next 15 years
- The introduction of stringent cage-free standards that far surpass the U.S.
It's expected that 50% of Canada's hens will be transitioned to enriched cages or cage-free barns within the next 8 years, and between 85-100% will be transitioned within 15 years.
This code ensures that hens live better lives, including the following:
- Perch space
- Feed and water space
- Nest boxes
- Good quality litter
- Appropriate and timely care for sick and injured birds
- Enrichments in all housing systems
- More space in all housing systems
<p content="The final version of the code of practice for egg-laying hens was released today at 7am EDT. As the only animal welfare organization sitting on the Code Development Committee, CFHS is available to comment on the pros and cons of the code and what these changes will mean for Canada's hens." data-reactid="28" type="text"> The final version of the code of practice for egg-laying hens was released today at 7am EDT. As the only animal welfare organization sitting on the Code Development Committee, CFHS is available to comment on the pros and cons of the code and what these changes will mean for Canada's hens.
Source: Canadian Federation of Humane Societies (CFHS)
