The enviromental requirements on such an idea would put them under, how do you like your made in China eggs?
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Important News For Hens!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
- Thread starter jjthink
- Start date
The Oregonian posted their article on the front page of Wednesdays edition. I posted a thread earlier in the week. Chickens are front page news
The Oregon law is passed and the the battery cages are to be replaced by 2026. There is proposed legislation to make the hens in OR cage free by 2019. According to the article this goes along with what WA has already either passed or is working on. I did find it cute that when I was in the feed store a lady was all in a dither to buy peeps to raise so she would not have to pay $8 dozen for eggs... that was from the article and I am sure done to catch peoples attention but that won't be tomorrow if you have to have colony cages by 2026.
The Oregon law is passed and the the battery cages are to be replaced by 2026. There is proposed legislation to make the hens in OR cage free by 2019. According to the article this goes along with what WA has already either passed or is working on. I did find it cute that when I was in the feed store a lady was all in a dither to buy peeps to raise so she would not have to pay $8 dozen for eggs... that was from the article and I am sure done to catch peoples attention but that won't be tomorrow if you have to have colony cages by 2026.
Other than people losing jobs I think I will benefit from such a measure as I will gain a market share for my soon to be egg business.
I have a number of different thoughts on this...
The UEP does what is best for their business. These are largest producers in the United States. Most of their facilities are modern production systems that are a far cry from what the media portrays (filthy, unsanitary, abusive conditions). The facilities that the media highlights are typically smaller scale, regional operations working with older infrastructure under poor management. No matter how hard the UEP tries they can't convince the public that their facilities are are highly managed, sanitary production systems because there are always producers that taint the pool. By leveling the playing ground they can paint the entire U.S. egg industry in a different light, "This is how the entire U.S. egg industry does it because it is required by law".
But... Such laws will lead to further consolidation of the egg industry under the largest producers. The smaller producers with older infrastructure will be driven out allowing the the largest producers, with the deepest pockets, to pick up the slack.
For those concerned that this will affect backyard flocks, I wouldn't be too concerned. This law would make the "enriched cage" the minimum standard. Such laws generally only apply to commercial production at certain scales. For example, the FDA requires all flocks over 3000 hens in size to be registered with their department. All federal standards promulgated by the FDA, such as the new salmonella prevention regulations, only apply to those with flocks of over 3000 birds.
The UEP does what is best for their business. These are largest producers in the United States. Most of their facilities are modern production systems that are a far cry from what the media portrays (filthy, unsanitary, abusive conditions). The facilities that the media highlights are typically smaller scale, regional operations working with older infrastructure under poor management. No matter how hard the UEP tries they can't convince the public that their facilities are are highly managed, sanitary production systems because there are always producers that taint the pool. By leveling the playing ground they can paint the entire U.S. egg industry in a different light, "This is how the entire U.S. egg industry does it because it is required by law".
But... Such laws will lead to further consolidation of the egg industry under the largest producers. The smaller producers with older infrastructure will be driven out allowing the the largest producers, with the deepest pockets, to pick up the slack.
For those concerned that this will affect backyard flocks, I wouldn't be too concerned. This law would make the "enriched cage" the minimum standard. Such laws generally only apply to commercial production at certain scales. For example, the FDA requires all flocks over 3000 hens in size to be registered with their department. All federal standards promulgated by the FDA, such as the new salmonella prevention regulations, only apply to those with flocks of over 3000 birds.
This is an emotionally charged debate with unsightly "looking" conditions for the hens. The truth of the matter is as any BYCer knows unhappy hens are poor layers...period. This is another case of a beaucracy gone amuck for a touchy feely group of people, us against them, send us your money and we will get them attitude.
I am glad that they are sitting down and discussing this like adults though, that is smart.
I am glad that they are sitting down and discussing this like adults though, that is smart.
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The UEP controls 95% of the egg production in the United States. The UEP has been working on humane standards for a decade and rolled out a voluntary program in 2002 that close to 80% of their producers now adhere to. The majority of their layer barns have already been converted to enhanced cages over the past decade. They still can't convince the public that they are doing things differently. Now that the majority of their hen houses comply with their self-written humane standards, they are trying to force any remaining producers to do just like they do in an effort to clean up public perception about their industry.
The UEP controls 95% of the egg production in the United States. The UEP has been working on humane standards for a decade and rolled out a voluntary program in 2002 that close to 80% of their producers now adhere to. The majority of their layer barns have already been converted to enhanced cages over the past decade. They still can't convince the public that they are doing things differently. Now that the majority of their hen houses comply with their self-written humane standards, they are trying to force any remaining producers to do just like they do in an effort to clean up public perception about their industry.
What's funny is a few states are proposing action for over a decade away and getting positive praise for initiative yet as Avlon stated it's already mandated in the United States to be battery cage free by end of 2012. So really there is no initiative at all. The industry improves conditions to request of the market, to impose legislation is self fulfilling do-gooding.
- Mar 22, 2011
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Can someone tell me exactly what a battery cage is? Is this where the hen is confined in a very small space where it eats, poops and lays, with no opportunity to leave? And what is an enriched cage system?
And- does the increased space requirement (67 then 144 sq. in. per bird) pertain to such battery cage systems, or will this be in an open area (indoors or out?) where the space will limited to a certain number of birds based on Total area divided by # of birds? While 144 sq. in. is better, it is still pretty crowded, and meaningless if the bird is stuck in there all the time. Also, I am skeptical of the provision of "no new construction of battery cage systems"- how long will they be allowed to continue operating? This cannot be phased out soon enough for me. Industrial egg production where the hens cannot walk, scratch, and get some fresh air and sunshine is, in my view, inhumane. And yes, they will go inside to lay. Mine always have known where to lay their eggs.
And- does the increased space requirement (67 then 144 sq. in. per bird) pertain to such battery cage systems, or will this be in an open area (indoors or out?) where the space will limited to a certain number of birds based on Total area divided by # of birds? While 144 sq. in. is better, it is still pretty crowded, and meaningless if the bird is stuck in there all the time. Also, I am skeptical of the provision of "no new construction of battery cage systems"- how long will they be allowed to continue operating? This cannot be phased out soon enough for me. Industrial egg production where the hens cannot walk, scratch, and get some fresh air and sunshine is, in my view, inhumane. And yes, they will go inside to lay. Mine always have known where to lay their eggs.
- Mar 22, 2011
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Egghead Jr. says that according to Avalon (who put up the first reply in this thread), battery cages will be outlawed by 2012 in the U.S. But if you check back, they were talking about Germany and/or Europe. I would suggest that the market is not going to come to the rescue of the chicken community, since most of us want what we want, and at bargain prices, regardless of the consequences.
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A battery cage system is an array (battery) of cages that the birds are kept in. The cages are in long rows and stacked several tiers high. If they are over a manure pit, the tiers are staggered (stair stepped) to allow the the manure to fall into a large manure pit underneath. More modern system have manure belts for each tier that remove the manure underneath each tier on a regular basis. Water lines, feed troughs, and egg conveyors run along each row to service the hens in each cage.
A "barren cage" is just that, a cage with just food and water. An "enriched cage" could have a lower stocking rate, perches, dust bathing, and nest boxes integrated into the cage system. The amount of space per bird is defined by the floor area within each cage divided by the number of birds in each cage.
A battery cage system is an array (battery) of cages that the birds are kept in. The cages are in long rows and stacked several tiers high. If they are over a manure pit, the tiers are staggered (stair stepped) to allow the the manure to fall into a large manure pit underneath. More modern system have manure belts for each tier that remove the manure underneath each tier on a regular basis. Water lines, feed troughs, and egg conveyors run along each row to service the hens in each cage.
A "barren cage" is just that, a cage with just food and water. An "enriched cage" could have a lower stocking rate, perches, dust bathing, and nest boxes integrated into the cage system. The amount of space per bird is defined by the floor area within each cage divided by the number of birds in each cage.
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