What's normal for happy hens?

We can all agree that hens do not belong in cages. But it’s not enough for a hen to be provided with a shed and occasional access to pasture. Hens are complex and sociable creatures that form strong bonds. Just like people, they have very complex needs.

These are some of the issues which are critical for happy hens:

Space. Just like humans, hens need enough space to live in without feeling stressed or confined. Animal Liberation only allows its accredited producers to keep 8 hens per square metre.

Access to the outdoors. Would you like to be confined indoors without any access to sunlight? Hens need access to the outside world. A barn system allows hens to move around, but it does not allow them to go outside - ever! This deprives hens of the most basic necessity that we all take for granted.

Quality of pasture. It’s not enough for a hen to have access to the outdoors. Can you imagine walking around in a bare yard with no grass or shade? Hens don’t like doing this either – that’s why our standards deal with the quality of the outdoor area. We insist on good quality pasture for the hens.

Shade. If there is no shade in the outdoors area, the hens will not want to go outside. Just think of the heatwaves during summer - hens can suffer terribly in the heat if they do not have ready access to shade.

Protection from predators. Hens are at risk from a number of predators, including foxes and birds of prey. Our accredited free range producers use a number of methods to control predators, including fencing off areas. They also use Maremma sheepdogs which live with the hens and protect them. There are no foxes on Kangaroo Island (where 2 of our producers are located).

Expressing natural behaviour. All animals have instinctive behaviours which they need to express. Hens need to dust bathe, perch on a raised roost and lay their eggs in nesting boxes. The prison egg industry completely denies hens any ability to express their natural behaviour. Barn systems do allow some perching and dust bathing, but the hens are not allowed any access to the outdoors. And because barn systems don't provide enough space, dominant hens will often prevent weaker hens from gaining access to the few basic "privileges" that these systems provide. 

Mutilations. Some mutilations are commonly performed on hens without any pain relief, including de-beaking and toe amputation. Don’t assume that all free range standards prohibit these horrific and cruel practices. Some standards still allow these mutilations to be performed.

Additives. Some producers introduce artificial additives to the hens’ food to obtain a yellower yolk. Some free range standards (like ours) prohibit the use of artificial yolk colourants, while others do not.

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