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SCHEDULE 3ADDITIONAL CONDITIONS THAT APPLY TO THE KEEPING OF LAYING HENS

PART 3Additional conditions applicable for keeping laying hens in conventional cages

Accommodation, feed, water and ethological needs

9.  All conventional (unenriched) cage systems must comply with the following requirements of this paragraph:—

(a)at least 550cm2 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;

(b)a feed trough which may be used without restriction must be provided and its length must be at least 10cm 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) and where drinking points are plumbed in, at least 2 nipple drinkers or 2 drinking cups must be within reach of each cage;

(d)cages must be at least 40cm high over at least 65% of the cage area and not less than 35cm at any point;

(e)floors of cages must be constructed so as to support each of the forward-facing claws of each foot and 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 must be fitted with suitable claw-shortening devices.

10.  On and after 1st January 2012 no person shall keep any laying hen in any conventional (unenriched) cage system.