The Welfare of Farmed Animals (Scotland) Regulations 2010

PART 5 Additional conditions applicable for keeping laying hens in non-cage systems

Feed and water

17.  All systems must be equipped in such a way that all laying hens have—

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

(b) either continuous drinking troughs providing 2.5cm per hen or circular drinking troughs providing 1cm per hen, and in addition, where nipple drinkers or drinking cups are used, there must be at least one nipple drinker or cup for every 10 hens and where drinking points are plumbed in, at least 2 drinking cups or 2 nipple drinkers must be within reach of each hen;

(c) at least one nest for every 7 hens and if group nests are used, there must be at least 1m² of nest space for a maximum of 120 hens;

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

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

Floors

18.  The floors of installations must be constructed so as to support each of the forward-facing claws of each foot.

Accommodation

19.  In addition to the requirements of paragraphs 17 and 18—

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

(i) there must not be more than 4 levels;

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

(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 35cm high and 40cm wide and extending along the entire length of the building; in any case, a total opening of 2m must be available per group of 1,000 hens; and

(ii) such 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.

20.  Subject to paragraph 21, the stocking density must not exceed 9 laying hens per square metre of usable area.

21.  Where on 3rd July 2002 the establishment applied a system where the usable area corresponded to the available ground surface a stocking density of 12 hens per square metre is authorised until 31st December 2011.