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Why do farmers trim the beaks of the hens?
The tip of the hens’ beak is treated by an infrared treatment at a very early age (usually at day one) by trained hatchery personnel. There are no open wounds or blood loss, and young chicks continue to eat and drink within minutes after the procedure. Only the tip of beak is treated, not the whole beak, and after two weeks, the sharp tip falls off and the beak becomes blunt. The purpose of such procedure is to prevent injuries caused by excessive feather pecking or bullying associated with the establishment of a pecking order in the flock.
Which housing system is the best?
Each housing system (free-run, free-range, conventional and enriched housing) has advantages when it comes to the welfare of the hens, disease and pest control. The right combination of housing design, breed, rearing conditions, and management is essential to optimize hen welfare and productivity.
Are antibiotics used in egg production?
Antibiotics are not administered routinely to laying hens because they are not required. If there is need to treat a specific illness in laying hens, antibiotics would be prescribed by a veterinarian and there would be a required withdrawal period before those eggs go to market.
Are hormones used in egg production?
No, laying hens are not given any hormones.
What are enriched (furnished) cages?
Enriched cages provide furnishings that enable hens to express their natural behaviours like perching, scratching and laying their eggs in a private nesting area. Enriched housing combines the food safety benefits of conventional cages with the welfare benefits of open housing. |
