Member States shall ensure that after 1 January 2002 all the cages referred to in this chapter comply at least with the following requirements:

1. 1.

   laying hens must have:

   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;

   2. (b)

      a nest;

   3. (c)

      litter such that pecking and scratching are possible;

   4. (d)

      appropriate perches allowing at least 15 cm per hen;

2. 2.

   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;

3. 3.

   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;

4. 4.

   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;

5. 5.

   cages must be fitted with suitable claw-shortening devices.