Statutory Rules of Northern Ireland

" (a) in the case of laying hens kept in all systems, paragraph 1 of Schedule 3D;";

(b) in paragraph 7(b) for sub-paragraph (i) there shall be substituted the following sub-paragraph -

" (i) in the case of laying hens kept in all systems, paragraph 1 of Schedule 3D;".

(a) either linear feeders providing at least 10 cm per hen or circular feeders providing at least 4 cm per hen;

(b) either continuous drinking troughs providing 2.5 cm per hen or circular drinking troughs providing 1 cm per hen;

     and in addition, where nipple drinkers or cups are used, there shall be at least one nipple drinker or cup for every 10 hens. Where drinking points are plumbed in, at least two cups or two nipple drinkers shall be within reach of each hen;

(c) at least one nest for every seven hens. If group nests are used, there must be at least 1 m² of nest space for a maximum of 120 hens;

(d) perches, without sharp edges and providing at least 15 cm per hen. Perches must not be mounted above the litter and the horizontal distance between perches must be at least 30 cm and the horizontal distance between the perch and the wall must be at least 20 cm;

(e) at least 250 cm² of littered area per hen, the litter occupying at least one third of the ground surface.

     4. The floors of installations must be constructed so as to support each of the forward-facing claws of each hen's foot.

     5. In addition to the requirements of paragraphs 2 and 3 -

(a) if systems are used where the laying hens can move freely between different levels -


(i) there shall be no more than four levels;

(ii) the headroom between the levels must be at least 45 cm;

(iii) the drinking and feeding facilities must be distributed in such a way as to provide equal access for all hens; and

(iv) the levels must be so arranged as to prevent droppings falling on the levels below; and



(b) if laying hens have access to open runs -



(i) there must be several popholes giving direct access to the outer area, at least 35 cm high and 40 cm wide and extending along the entire length of the building; in any case, a total opening of 2 m must be available per group of 1,000 hens; and

(ii) open runs must be of an area appropriate to the stocking density and to the nature of the ground, in order to prevent any contamination and equipped with shelter from inclement weather and predators and, if necessary, appropriate drinking troughs.

     6. Subject to paragraph 7, the stocking density must not exceed nine laying hens per square metre of usable area.

     7. Where on 3rd August 1999 the establishment applied a system where the usable area corresponded to the available ground surface, and the establishment is still applying this system, a stocking density of 12 hens per square metre is authorised until 31st December 2011.

(a) at least 550 cm² per hen of cage area, measured in a horizontal plane, which may be used without restriction, in particular not including non-waste deflection plates liable to restrict the area available, must be provided for each laying hen. However where the non-waste deflection plate is placed so as not to restrict the area available for the hens to use, then that area may be included in the measurement;

(b) a feed trough which may be used without restriction must be provided. Its length must be at least 10 cm multiplied by the number of hens in the cage;

(c) unless nipple drinkers or drinking cups are provided, each cage must have a continuous drinking channel of the same length as the feed trough mentioned in sub-paragraph (b). Where drinking points are plumbed in, at least two nipple drinkers or two cups must be within reach of each cage;

(d) cages must be at least 40 cm high over at least 65% of the cage area and not less than 35 cm at any point, the area being obtained by multiplying 550 cm² by the number of birds kept in the cage;

(e) floors of cages must be constructed so as to support each of the forward-facing claws of each foot of each hen. Floor slope must not exceed 14% or 8 degrees when made of rectangular wire mesh and 21.3% or 12 degrees for other types of floor; and

(f) cages shall be fitted with suitable claw-shortening devices.

     2. On and after 1st January 2003 a person shall not build or bring into service for the first time any cage system referred to in paragraph 1 for the keeping of laying hens.

     3. On and after 1st January 2012 a person shall not keep laying hens in any cage system referred to in paragraph 1.

(a) at least 750 cm² of cage area per hen, 600 cm² of which shall be usable; the height of the cage other than that above the usable area shall be at least 20 cm at every point and no cage shall have a total area that is less than 2000 cm²;

(b) a nest;

(c) litter such that pecking and scratching are possible; and

(d) appropriate perches allowing at least 15 cm per hen.

     3. A feed trough which may be used without restriction must be provided. Its length must be at least 12 cm multiplied by the number of hens in the cage.

     4. Each cage must have a drinking system appropriate to the size of the group; where nipple drinkers are provided, at least two nipple drinkers or two cups must be within the reach of each hen.

     5. To facilitate inspection, installation and depopulation of hens there must be a minimum aisle width of 90 cm between tiers of cages and a space of at least 35 cm must be allowed between the floor of the building and the bottom tier of cages.

     6. Cages must be fitted with suitable claw-shortening devices.

(a) by persons over 18 years of age;

(b) on chickens that are less than 10 days old and intended for laying; and

(c) in accordance with the Veterinary Surgery (Exemptions) Order 1962.".