The Welfare of Farmed Animals (Wales) Regulations 2007

Regulation 5

SCHEDULE 3 Additional conditions that apply to the keeping of laying hens in conventional cages

1.  All conventional (unenriched) cage systems must comply with the requirements of this Schedule.

2.  Cage systems must have 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 unless they are placed so as not to restrict the area available for the hens to use.

3.  A feed trough must be provided which may be used without restriction, the length of which must be at least 10 cm multiplied by the number of hens in the cage.

4.—(1) 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 paragraph 3.

(2) Where drinking points are plumbed in, at least two nipple drinkers or two cups must be within reach from each cage.

5.  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.

6.—(1) Floors of cages must be constructed so as to support each of the forward-facing claws of each foot of each bird.

(2) The floor slope must not exceed 14% or 8 degrees when made of rectangular wire mesh and must not exceed 21.3% or 12 degrees for other types of floor.

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

8.  No person may build or bring into service for the first time any cage system referred to in this Schedule for the keeping of laying hens.

9.  On and after 1 January 2012, no person may keep laying hens in any cage system referred to in this Schedule.