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Slide 1: Welfare Inspection Of Laying Hens- Caged & Alternative   Jarlath O’ Connor VI Animal Health And Welfare Division
Slide 2: Systems I r is h E g g I n d u s t ry A n n u a l E g g P ro d u c t io n 100% C a g e S y s te m s 75% F re e -R a n g e 20% A lt e r n a t iv e S y s t e m s 25% B a rn 5% O r g a n ic <1%
Slide 3: Where in Ireland?  Main players  Monaghan (37%)  Cavan (14%)  Rest (49%) Production System Distribution CAVAN CORK GALWAY MEATH MONAGHAN OTHER
Slide 4: System Distribution?  Main players  Monaghan (66%)  Cavan (1%)? 21% Cage System 1% 12% CAVAN CORK MONAGHAN REST 66%
Slide 5: System Distribution?  Main players  Cavan (21%)  Monaghan (20%)  Rest (39%) Alternative Systems 21% 39% 6% 6% 20% 8% CAVAN CORK GALWAY MEATH MONAGHAN REST
Slide 6: Alternative Systems  S.I. 98/2002  All built/rebuilt/reinstated > 01/01/2002  For all > 01/01/2007 Facilities  Nests  One nest/ 7 hens  Group nests1m2/120 hens 
Slide 7: Alternative Systems   Perches  No sharp edges  Not above litter  15 cm/hen  30 cm horiz. b/t perches  20 cm horiz. b/t perch and wall Levels  No more than 4 levels  < 54 cm headroom b/t levels  Equal food and water access  Droppings
Slide 8: Cage Systems  Un-enriched (conventional) Cages  From 01/01/2003 but not > 01/01/2012 hens may be kept in unenriched cages  550 cm2/hen unrestricted Height >40 cm over 65% of cage or not < 35 cm at any point 
Slide 9: Cage Systems  Un-enriched (conventional) Cages  From 01/01/2003 on:  Floor support forward facing claws Slope of floor not > 14% or 8 degrees 
Slide 10: Cage Systems          CAGE SLOPE Cage depth (R) 50 cm Cage Height at back (P) 33 cm Cage height at front (S) 40 cm Floor slope (80) 7.9 0 (To Calculate: Tan x0 = Q/R) (Therefore slope = x0 = Tan-1[(SP) / R] ) P S Q R
Slide 11: Cage Systems  Un-enriched (conventional) Cages  From 01/01/2003 on:  Cage fitted with suitable claw shortener
Slide 12: Cage Systems  Enriched Cages  From 01/01/2003 on:  Total area of > 2000 cm2 750 cm2/hen (at least 600 cm2 usuable/ hen) Height > 20 cm at every point  
Slide 13: Cage Systems  Enriched Cages  From 01/01/2003 on:  Nest Litter 15 cm perch/hen/cage Claw shortener   
Slide 14: Is ventilation satisfactory?  Ventilation  Keep temp., gas, dust and rel. humidity within healthy limits  Maximum Vent. Rate  Minimum Vent. Rate  Air circulation  Uniform  Draught-free
Slide 15: Is ventilation satisfactory?  Noxious gas build-up?    Poor Ventilation • Low ambient temp. Waste removal Wet litter 5-15: Detectable by smell 10-20: Adverse effects on humans 25-50: Increased risk of resp. dis. 50+: Direct effect on layers R.R/eyes  Ammonia    
Slide 16: Is ventilation satisfactory?  What to look for? Thermometers  Automated thermostats  Air quality in shed  Litter quality  Faeces disposal 
Slide 17: How long is rest period where artificial light is used?  Lighting  Darkness is deprivation  S.I. 98/2002    Light sufficient to allow hens see eachother, be seen, to investigate and act normally 24 hr cycle with twilight and 8 hours uninterrupted darkness 35-65 lux   Stage of cycle Lower tiers of cages   Aggression Localised bunching  Forced moulting
Slide 18: Litter adequacy/condition?  S.I. 98/2002  Materials   Health • Mites • Worms Behaviour • Foraging • Scratching Adequate litter to allow pecking/scratching/hen  Enriched cages? 
Slide 19: Equipment Maintenance  Questions?  How regularly is automated equipment checked? • > once/day  What alternatives are present should feeding or environmental equipment breakdown? • Action plan  Is there a functioning alarm system and generator? • Must be present
Slide 20: Are the hens provided with adequate feed and water?  Feeders  S.I. 98/2002  Alternative • Unrestricted access • 10 cm linear feeder/hen • 4 cm circular feeder/hen  Un-enriched • 10 cm feeder/hen  Enriched • 12 cm feeder/hen
Slide 21: Are the hens provided with adequate feed and water?  Water supply  S.I. 98/2002  Alternative • Unrestricted access • 2.5 cm/hen continous drinkers • 1 cm/hen circular trough • One nipple-drinker or cup/ 10 hens • Plumbed drinking points – 2 nippledrinkers or cups within reach of each hen
Slide 22: Are the hens provided with adequate feed and water?  Water supply  S.I. 98/2002  Un-enriched • Unrestricted access • 10 cm linear trough/hen • Plumbed drinking points – 2 nippledrinkers or cups/cage  Enriched • Unrestricted access • Plumbed drinking points – 2 nippledrinkers or cups/hen/ cage
Slide 23: The End