The Future of Conventional Battery Cages in Egg Production to be discussed at NSAC

An open meeting entitled, “Is there a Future for Battery Cages in Canada?” will be held Wednesday, May 25th 2011, from 1-4 pm in Room 116 of Haley Institute, Nova Scotia Agricultural College, Truro.

The meeting will examine the pros and cons of cages for egg production particularly from an animal welfare point of view.  The various alternative husbandry systems available for egg production will be described together with their strengths and weaknesses.

Sponsored by the Animal Welfare Foundation of Canada, the meeting features two top Canadian researchers specializing in poultry welfare; Dr. Ian Duncan, Professor Emeritus and Emeritus Chair in Animal Welfare at the University of Guelph and Dr. Michelle Jendral, who specializes in alternative systems for egg production. She is an Assistant Professor in Poultry Behaviour and Welfare at NSAC.

Three producers from the region will join the researchers to discuss the practical challenges of producing eggs in a non-cage system. John Duynisveld is a Beef Research Biologist with Agriculture & Agri-Food Canada at Nappan, NS. Since 2001, he has been President of Holdanca Farms Ltd., a pasture based multi-species farm located on the north shore of Nova Scotia. Gilbert Matheson took over his grandparents' layer breeder and pullet operation in Kars, NB in 2004 and last year, also began successfully producing laying hens in his free run system. Aaron Law is a third generation poultry producer from Kars, NB who is considering options for alternative cage and non-cage production and recently had an opportunity to tour a free run system in Ontario.

“Conventional Battery Cages”, are long rows of small wire cages (typically housing six laying hens) that are arranged in stacks of three to four tiers inside a specialized barn. On the one hand, hens housed in conventional cages are prevented from exhibiting natural behaviours such as nest building, perching and dust-bathing and limited physical mobility contributes to metabolic disorders such as osteoporosis. On the other hand, commercial producers are under pressure to keep egg prices low and have invested significant capital and know-how in managing productive, profitable flocks using the conventional cage system. Thus, a conflict has emerged between the established science concerning the welfare of the birds and the economic viability of egg production in Canada and elsewhere. In between these two poles lies the consumer/citizen, whose purchasing choice will influence which egg production housing systems are supported in the future.

As of January 2012, conventional battery cages will be banned in the European Union. In 2010, several states in the U.S. (including California) and the province of Manitoba made the decision to phase out conventional battery cages.  It seems that change is in the wind. The time is ripe for a serious consideration of battery cages for egg production. 

Do conventional battery cages have a future in Canada, or should we be looking for alternative husbandry systems that address behavioural and physiological needs to ensure a better quality of life for laying hens? 

This meeting is aimed at egg producers, Egg Board members, Provincial Agricultural Staff who service the egg industry and all Extension Personnel from Universities, Agricultural Colleges, the feed industry and elsewhere, and others interested in the welfare of laying birds. The general public is very welcome and encouraged to attend.

A tour of the Atlantic Poultry Research Centre at NSAC will be conducted for interested participants by Dr. Jendral in the morning prior to the meeting. Lunch and supper will be provided and there will be ample opportunity for interested participants to discuss the topic, ask questions, make comments and speak one-on-one with panel presenters.

There is no charge for the meeting and all are welcome. Please RSVP to Jane Morrigan at 902-351-2714 or email jmorrigan@nsac.ca if you wish to take the tour of the Atlantic Poultry Research Centre, have lunch, supper or all three.

The Animal Welfare Foundation of Canada is a registered charity, supported by donors and administered by a volunteer Board of Directors.  The Foundation seeks to improve the quality of life for animals in Canada by various means. Since the 1960s the Foundation has been at the forefront of issues of humane care of animals in Canada.