This code of welfare encourages all those responsible for layer hens to adopt the highest standards of husbandry, care and handling, and to equal or exceed the minimum standards.
Anyone who owns or is in charge of layer hens, for commercial production or at home, needs to be aware of any relevant codes of welfare and comply with the codes and the general provisions of the Animal Welfare Act 1999.
Download the Code of Welfare: Layer Hens (2018) [PDF, 558 KB]
The purpose of this Code is to provide information to the owners and persons in charge of layer hens about the standards they must achieve in order to meet their obligations under the Animal Welfare Act 1999.
This Code encourages all those responsible for layer hens to adopt the highest standards of husbandry, care and handling, and to equal or exceed the minimum standards.
Adequately maintaining the welfare of layer hens requires experience, training and the observance of high standards.
The Animal Welfare Act 1999 provides for the welfare of animals in New Zealand. It puts obligations on people who own or are in charge of animals to provide for the welfare of their animals.
The Act establishes the fundamental obligations relating to the care of animals and provides for the development and issue of codes of welfare.
Codes of welfare expand on the basic obligations of the Act by setting minimum standards and recommending best practice for the care and management of animals.
This Code of Welfare also references regulations issued under the Animal Welfare Act 1999. Regulations are prescribed under the Animal Welfare Act and impose enforceable requirements on owners and persons in charge of animals. For ease of reference, regulations relevant to this Code are set out in an appendix to this Code. Penalties for failure to comply with the regulations are specified in the relevant regulations. The appendix to this Code is not intended to provide an exhaustive list of all obligations under the Act or regulatory requirements. Owners and persons in charge of animals are responsible for ensuring that they are aware of and understand all Act and regulatory requirements that are relevant to them including all applicable Codes of Welfare.
Note that the Act sets criteria for whether a procedure carried out on an animal is a significant surgical procedure. Only a veterinarian, or a person who is acting under the direct supervision of a veterinarian and who is a student undergoing his or her training to become a veterinarian, are able to perform a significant surgical procedure, unless a regulation says otherwise.
This Code is intended for all persons responsible for the welfare of layer hens.
Under the Act the "owner" and every "person in charge" of an animal are responsible for meeting the legal obligations for the welfare of animals under their care.
For some layer hens, the owner of the animals will place them in the care of others who become the persons in charge, but this does not derogate from their responsibility to ensure that the requirements of the Act and animal welfare regulations are met.
Who should read this Code of Welfare? amended on 9 May 2021 by Notice in the Gazette 2021-go1589
Failure to meet a minimum standard in this Code may be used as evidence to support a prosecution for an offence under the Act. A person who is charged with an offence against the Act can defend him or herself by showing that he or she has equalled or exceeded the minimum standards in this Code.
This Code includes information and example indicators for each minimum standard. The list of indicators is not exhaustive but is given to provide guidance on ways in which a minimum standard may be met.
Owners and persons in charge of animals are not required to comply with the recommendations for best practice in this Code, but are encouraged to do so to provide higher standards of welfare.
This Code does not provide an exhaustive list of the Act’s requirements, and owners and those in charge of animals should note that they must comply with the minimum standards in this Code, the general provisions of the Act, and any regulations issued under the Act.
Animal Welfare Act 1999 – NZ Legislation
Legislative background amended on 9 May 2021 by Notice in the Gazette 2021-go1589
Other codes of welfare should be consulted where appropriate.
Codes of welfare must be accompanied by a report that sets out the deliberations that the National Animal Welfare Advisory Committee (NAWAC) undertook when developing the codes of welfare including the standards and recommendations for best practice, the nature of any significant differences of opinion during drafting and consultation, and any matters that should be dealt with by regulation. Code reports can be accessed online.
Animal welfare (layer hens) code of welfare report [PDF, 137 KB]
Although efforts to include relevant regulations within this Code have been made, there may be other regulations which are relevant to you. The full list of all animal welfare regulations should be consulted where appropriate.
Animal Welfare (Care and Procedures) Regulations 2018 – NZ Legislation
This Code applies to all layer hens (as defined in Schedule I: Interpretation and definitions) from the time chicks are in the last half of development before they hatch (which has relevance to the sale of embryonated eggs), through to the catching and transport of hens at the end of the laying cycle. It also applies to roosters. This Code does not apply to layer hen breeder birds.
Refer to Schedule I: Interpretation and definitions.
The importance of good stockmanship cannot be over-emphasised. The care of layer hens, at all stages of production, requires experience and high standards of performance.
Those responsible for the care of layer hens must be competent, well trained and work at least to the minimum standards required by this Code. Personnel should be appropriately trained and instructed in the care and maintenance of layer hens and how their actions may affect the hens’ welfare.
Knowledge of the normal appearance and behaviour of layer hens is essential for their ongoing health and welfare. It is important that those in charge of layer hens are able to recognise early signs of distress or disease so that prompt action is taken or advice sought. It is common industry practice that there are separate rearing and production phases with personnel who have specific knowledge relating to each phase.
Those in charge of layer hen operations must ensure that their personnel, including contract or temporary staff, have either the relevant knowledge and training, or appropriate supervision by trained and competent people, to ensure that the health and welfare needs of the hens in their care are met.
The appropriate number of personnel to care for layer hens depends on a number of factors, including the number of hens, the design of the system, the age of the hens, and the facilities and equipment available within the system.
Quality assurance programmes, e.g. Risk Management Programmes (as per the Animal Products Act), emphasise the importance of training of personnel. The Agriculture Industry Training Organisation lists a number of training qualifications for those involved in the poultry industry: Poultry production – NZQA
Additional information can be found on the industry website: Egg Producers Federation of New Zealand
Food and water are essential for maintaining good layer hen welfare. Nutrient composition, feed availability, quantity of feed, absence of contaminants in the feed and water, and access to the feeders and drinkers are all important features of any management system. Requirements for the quality and composition for the feed supplied to layer hens are mandated under the Agricultural Compounds and Veterinary Medicines Act 1997.
Provision of shade and shelter is important for protecting hens from environmental extremes and may be provided by the main building that is used to house hens, and for hens with access outdoors, by additional, purpose-built shelters, including a winter garden or covered veranda. Shade and shelter outdoors, such as trees, shrubs or artificial structures, are important in encouraging hens to fully utilise the outside area and spacing of shelter less than 10 m apart will also encourage use of the outside area.
Shade and shelter provision for hens is also an integral part of range management covered in Minimum Standard 11.
Provision of appropriate housing, including the indoor area of systems with outdoor access and other facilities, is essential for the health and welfare of layer hens.
See summary of regulations appended to this Code:
Cages:
Colony Cages:
Barns:
Perforated or slatted floor areas can be considered perching space if they are raised and they allow the hen to grip without risk of trapping its claws. It is not clear at what height perches should be offered to maximise welfare – but for night time, roosting hens will prefer the highest perch if perches of different heights are offered. Accessibility of high perches has to be ensured, by incorporating lower level perches from which the hens can reach the higher levels. In non-cage systems, good accessibility can be achieved by minimising the angles between perches of different heights to less than 45 degrees and by limiting the distance between horizontal perches to 1m.
The Animal Welfare (Glueboard Traps) Order 2009 places restrictions on the sale and use of rodent glueboard traps and they were prohibited from 1 January 2015. For more information, see Animal Welfare (Glueboard Traps) Order 2009 – NZ Legislation .
The provision and efficient operation of a suitable environment in sheds is often reliant on technology. Adverse events caused by climatic events or natural disasters which disrupt the shed or technology can affect the welfare of fit and healthy hens, but have a greater impact on those more vulnerable because of their age (e.g. young chicks). It is every person’s and organisation’s responsibility to include planning for the welfare of their animals in their contingency plans.
Further information on preparing for emergencies and adverse events may be obtained by referring to the MPI website at Preparing animals for emergencies.
Stocking density cannot be considered in isolation from other minimum standards as it is interrelated with food and water availability, environmental controls, housing system design, hen behaviour and active range management policies. The stocking density compatible with acceptable welfare of the hens is dependent on good stockmanship and management of all environmental factors so that hens do not have to compete for their food, water, perches, or access to an outdoor area.
Consideration of the outdoor stocking level needs to take into account factors such as soil type, drainage, flock size and frequency of flock rotation e.g. a heavy, poorly drained soil can carry fewer hens than land that is light and well drained.
Cages
Colony cages
Barns
The management of light is an integral part of ensuring hen health and welfare, especially in preventing or reducing feather pecking and cannibalism. It can also be used to encourage certain hen behaviours e.g. higher light levels on the litter area can encourage hens to dustbathe and lower levels over the roost areas can encourage hens to rest. Lower light at the nests encourages the hens to use the nests.
At certain times of the year, hens that are exposed to natural light may experience day-lengths longer than the limit required by Minimum Standard 5(c) above (which applies to hens kept under artificial light), and this is acceptable.
Ventilation provides fresh air and removes stale, contaminated air. It assists in the control of temperature, humidity, noxious gases (e.g. ammonia, methane, carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide), dust and other airborne particles and litter quality. The accumulation of water vapour, heat, noxious gases and dust particles may cause discomfort or distress to the hens and predispose them to the development of health problems.
Humidity is determined by both external ambient conditions and factors within the shed such as stocking density, liveweight of the hens, ventilation rate, indoor temperature, functioning of technical equipment and litter quality (where this is relevant). Roofs should be insulated to reduce condensation. In controlled environment housing, good insulation of the walls and floor in addition can assist with achieving good air quality and temperature control.
Ammonia problems are more likely to occur in early morning and during periods of high humidity such as in winter.
Dust is a potentially harmful air contaminant, particularly in combination with ammonia and other gases. It may directly damage the respiratory tracts of poultry and also act in the transmission of infectious agents.
Ventilation has to be considered alongside other minimum standards such as temperature and stocking density, as they all interrelate. Stock persons need to be able to recognise bird behaviour changes and act accordingly to ensure good welfare and bird health is not compromised e.g. increase the ventilation rate if the birds are panting due to high temperatures and review nutrition and feeding times to reduce heat stress.
Temperature requirements for layer hens vary considerably from day-old to end of lay and must be managed in response to changing requirements.
Newly hatched chicks have limited ability to maintain adequate body temperatures and thus additional heat input is required to maintain the temperature of the brooding area at a minimum of 30ºC. Thereafter the temperature can be progressively reduced to provide a comfort level appropriate to the age of the chick.
Signs of heat stress include panting and spreading of wings. Adult hens with shade, space and access to cold drinking water can survive short periods of heat stress but if possible should be cooled with direct fans.
Signs of cold stress include huddling and shivering. Chicks should be given supplementary heat and older birds protected from wet and draughts.
Temperature is affected by ventilation and low temperature and low ventilation rates tend to increase humidity which can lead to poor litter quality.
There is an interrelationship between temperature, humidity, ventilation rate, windspeed and stocking density. Stock persons have to be competent at reading bird behaviours and acting accordingly e.g. increasing ventilation rate if birds are panting due to heat stress.
Both hens and houses exchange heat with their surroundings and having houses insulated makes control of temperature and humidity levels much easier.
Litter management is a key part of managing the welfare of hens in barns or the winter garden, so that problems such as dust, fungal proliferation, and conditions such as bumble foot or respiratory disease are minimised.
Key features of litter management are control of the quality, type and depth of the litter used, moisture (including the way water is provided), temperature, ventilation, feed type and quality and stocking density. The siting of openings and maintenance of drainage outside the barn are also important when hens have access outdoors.
The optimum depth of litter depends on the choice of litter material. Litter needs to be especially carefully managed in winter when low temperatures lead to low ventilation rates, and consequently the higher humidity may result in the litter becoming wet. This is more likely if hens also have access outdoors. Stock persons should be aware of the factors that affect litter condition and the welfare problems associated with poor litter management.
Maintenance of good conditions on the range is essential for the health and welfare of hens.
Hens are fearful of wide open spaces and so providing and managing overhead shade and shelter on the range encourages its use and allows the hens to display a wider range of natural behaviours.
Fear of using the range may increase stress of hens inside the shed and can lead to negative behaviours such as injurious feather pecking. Research shows that providing a variety of shade and shelter is beneficial, particularly natural shelter from trees and shrubs positioned to encourage the hens to move away from the barn perimeter.
The time taken for land to become contaminated with parasites or nitrogen build up depends upon the type of land, stocking density and weather patterns.
The ground around permanent houses can be protected with slatted platforms, covered verandas, areas of gravel or other suitable methods (e.g. bark or mesh), to avoid it becoming contaminated and muddy.
To prevent paddocks becoming muddy or burdened with worms, coccidia and other parasites to an extent that could be harmful to the birds’ health, a number of management techniques should be used which may include the rotation of flocks in separately fenced paddocks.
The ability for layer hens to be able to show normal behaviour in the farm environment is an important welfare consideration. Layer hens show much of the natural behaviour exhibited by their wild ancestors, the jungle fowl. While selective breeding has reduced their drive to perform some behaviours (e.g. sexual behaviour) they have retained a strong need to perform many of their ancestral behaviours including:
Current housing systems may constrain these behaviours to some extent. Indoor systems are more constraining than outdoor systems and colony cages provide reduced opportunities for foraging and dustbathing behaviours to be expressed. There is also evidence that certain behaviours are more important to hens than others at different times. For example, as hens approach the time to lay their eggs they place a high value on a nest site, and rank nesting behaviour a higher priority than feeding.
Where the ability of hens to escape is constricted, fear and panic can lead to smothering.
See summary of regulations appended to this Code:
NAWAC considers that the use of layer hen cages providing less than 750 sq cm per hen and no perches, discrete nesting areas or scratching surfaces, does not fully meet the obligations of the Act. Minimum Standards 12 (b), (c), and (d) provide for a transition from these cages to alternative ways of housing and managing layer hens – i.e. colony cages and barns.
The minimum standards and suggested indicators outlined elsewhere throughout this Code are also intended to ensure that housing and management allows the behavioural needs of layer hens to be met, and provide advice on how these needs can be met.
Injurious pecking (damaging feather pecking, vent pecking and cannibalism) is often associated with poor foraging opportunities, overcrowding and dietary imbalance. The problem is more difficult to manage in large group-housed systems and it is particularly important that pullets are given access to litter and range before placement in the layer barn. In large flocks there may also be competition or avoidance of negative social interactions by some hens. For example some hens may be unwilling to leave a barn for the outdoors for fear of encountering unfamiliar or dominant individuals. Consideration of group dynamics and the abundance and positioning of resources in the design and management of large flocks should be made in order to ensure that as many individuals as possible have sufficient space and access to resources to perform a full behavioural repertoire.
Minimisation of undue stress and the avoidance of injury are key considerations whenever layer hens are being handled. Competent handling of layer hens is essential for their proper husbandry. Distress and risk of injury to both the hens and their handlers are decreased when good handling practices are followed. Reducing fear by keeping hens calm makes them easier to handle. Careful handling during the catching of end of lay hens, which may have reduced bone strength, is especially critical to minimise risk of injury to the hen.
Research has shown that manual handling of the hens during stocking and depopulation can compromise their physical, physiological and behavioural wellbeing. Therefore catching procedures that minimise handling will be beneficial for hen welfare.
Penning loose-housed hens into small groups will minimise the risk of crowding and smothering during catching.
Transport systems must be designed and managed to ensure hens do not suffer unnecessary distress or discomfort. The transport and handling of hens must be kept to a minimum. Personnel involved in transport must be thoroughly trained and competent to carry out the tasks required of them. Contingency plans should be in place to deal with events such as vehicle breakdowns, adverse weather and transport delays to ensure that the thermal comfort of the different age groups are not compromised and transport stress is minimised.
The Code of Welfare: Transport within New Zealand applies to the transport of hens.
Air carriers need to conform to the current International Air Transport Association (IATA) regulations when accepting and transporting hens. More information, see: Live animals – IATA
Disease control is an integral part of hen welfare. Appropriate methods to prevent and control disease in layer hens include the use of vaccination and preventative medication programmes, and ensuring that good levels of hygiene are maintained and appropriate biosecurity and parasite control measures are employed.
All persons responsible for the care and management of poultry need to be competent in recognising the signs of ill-health. These signs may include a reduction in feed and water intake, a reduced rate of lay or of body weight gain, changes in the colour and/or consistency of faeces, changes in appearance (e.g. feather colour and cover), activity or behaviour, or an increase in mortality.
See summary of regulations appended to this Code:
The Animal Welfare Act 1999 sets criteria for whether a procedure carried out on an animal is a significant surgical procedure. The criteria are set out in Section 16 of the Act.
If any person has to determine whether a procedure carried out on an animal is a significant surgical procedure under this Act, the person must determine the question by considering the following criteria:
Only a veterinarian, or a person who is acting under the direct supervision of a veterinarian and who is a student undergoing his or her training to become a veterinarian, are able to perform a significant surgical procedure, unless a regulation says otherwise.
For all animal welfare regulations, see Animal Welfare (Care and Procedures) Regulations 2018 – NZ Legislation
Note that not all of the surgical procedures included within these regulations meet the criteria of a significant surgical procedure, some have been regulated for clarity only.
See also the summary of regulations appended to this Code:
Significant Surgical Procedures inserted on 9 May 2021 by Notice in the Gazette 2021-go1589
Feather pecking and cannibalism may occur in any layer hen system. The incidence, onset and severity of injurious pecking can be reduced by management strategies.
Beak tipping is commonly used to reduce the potential damage from any pecking. Infrared beam beak treatment (IRBT) is now the standard practice for the commercial hatcheries in New Zealand. It is carried out on day old chicks, and its precision and accuracy minimises welfare issues for the hens.
See summary of regulations appended to this Code:
Beak Tipping amended on 9 May 2021 by Notice in the Gazette 2021-go1589
Minimum Standard No. 16(b) replaced on 9 May 2021 by regulation 25(2) of the Animal Welfare (Care and Procedures) Amendment Regulations 2020
Minimum Standard No. 16(d) replaced on 9 May 2021 by regulation 25(2) of the Animal Welfare (Care and Procedures) Amendment Regulations 2020
The incidence of feather pecking is affected by genetics, environmental conditions, nutrition and management practices. There is ongoing genetic research to develop strains of hens which are less prone to feather pecking. NAWAC has concerns about the welfare implications of beak tipping and encourages the industry to develop management systems to protect against all forms of injurious pecking without the need for beak tipping.
Humane destruction of hens and chicks may be carried out on individuals, such as culls, or when depopulation is required for disease outbreak or at end of lay.
The aim of hatchery management is to produce healthy hens. The key processes and conditions in hatchery management which affect the health and welfare of newly hatched chicks include:
All minimum standards in this Code apply to hatcheries and chicks.
Keeping a rooster with layer hens can settle the birds, leading to less fighting and therefore fewer injuries.
All minimum standards, as appropriate, in this Code apply to roosters that have been or are kept with layer hens, regardless of the management system under which they are kept.
Also see summary of regulations appended to this Code, Regulation 47: Collars and tethers.
The maintenance of good records is an integral part of a welfare assurance system and good farm management.
The adoption or adaptation of an industry generic welfare assurance programme for welfare and husbandry procedures may meet these recommendations.
The Animal Welfare Act 1999.
As defined in the Act:
NAWAC takes to mean technologies which are used practically to care for and manage animals, for example, existing chemicals, drugs, instruments, devices and facilities.
A multi-tier barn system with access to nests and perches at a number of heights or multiple tiers which consist of a raised slatted area providing perching and access to food/water at each level.
A building that houses layer hens as either a single or multiple groups, with or without access to an outdoor area but with an area for nesting, perching and scratching. Barns with access outdoors are usually referred to as free range and the building can be either fixed or moveable. If a barn has multiple internal levels it is often referred to as an aviary and/or multi-tier system.
The removal of the upper and lower tips of the beak (maximum 25%).
The management of chicks from day-old to four weeks of age.
Undesirable compaction of the surface of litter.
A cage is an enclosure constructed of metal or plastic and holding 3-7 hens. Cages do not have perches and/or nest areas. They are inside a building and can be multi-tiered. Also called current or conventional cages.
Layer breed of poultry from hatching to 7 weeks of age.
Abrasive device or flooring for scratching.
A colony cage is a modified and enlarged enclosure with more space than cages and with perching, nesting and scratching areas. Colony cages may also be referred to as furnished or enriched cages.
An enclosed insulated building containing layer hens which provides control of lighting, ventilation and temperature, with feed, water and egg collection also usually automated.
Chicks up to 72 hours of age (surviving on their internal yolk sack).
Removal of all hens, usually at end of lay, from the particular environment.
A fertilised egg which contains a developing chick embryo.
When laying is terminated, either naturally or as a management practice.
NAWAC takes to mean a standard of care that has a general level of acceptance among knowledgeable practitioners and experts in the field; is based on good sense and sound judgement; is practical and thorough; has robust experience-based or scientific foundations; and prevents unreasonable or unnecessary harm to, or promotes the interests of, the animals to which it is applied. Good practice also takes account of the evolution of attitudes about animals and their care.
A facility in which fertile eggs are incubated and hatched in controlled environment cabinets.
A female chicken (of any age) kept primarily for laying eggs.
The practice that makes hens cease egg production and then lose and replace feathers and restore bone integrity to bring them into another laying cycle.
Mechanical method of humane destruction of eggs and day-old chicks (also known as maceration).
An international measure of light intensity (not to be confused with watts).
Minimum standards are identified in the text by a heading and use the word "must" or similar words. They are highlighted in boxes within the text.
As defined in the Act: "in relation to an animal, includes the parent or guardian of a person under the age of 16 years who –
An elevated structure, including perforated/slatted areas, that allows hens to roost off the ground and grip with their claws.
As defined in the Act: "in relation to an animal, includes a person who has an animal in that person’s possession or custody, or under that person’s care, control, or supervision."
As defined in the Act: "means –
Placing of day-old chicks in the rearing facilities or pullets in the laying facility.
The commencement of laying by a sexually mature hen.
An animal that preys on another.
Layer breed of poultry from 7 weeks of age to point of lay.
An outdoor area, usually pasture, used by hens.
A plan that reviews and addresses issues that can affect the quality of the range including:
Management of the hens from day-old to point of lay (approximately 18 weeks of age).
NAWAC takes to mean the best practice agreed at a particular time, following consideration of scientific information, accumulated experience and public submissions on this Code. It is usually a higher standard of practice than the minimum standard, except where the minimum standard is best practice. It is a practice that can be varied as new information comes to light. Recommendations for best practice will be particularly appropriate where it is desirable to promote or encourage better care for animals than is provided as a minimum standard.
Recommended best practices are identified in the text by a heading, and generally use the word "should".
NAWAC takes to mean knowledge within animal-based scientific disciplines, especially those that deal with nutritional, environmental, health, behavioural and cognitive/neural functions, which are relevant to understanding the physical, health and behavioural needs of animals. Such knowledge is not haphazard or anecdotal; it is generated by rigorous and systematic application of the scientific method, and the results are objectively and critically reviewed before acceptance.
A well ventilated but covered area connected to the barn, which has a floor suitable for scratching and is usually available during daylight hours for the hens with provision to confine hens and protect them from predators and adverse weather.
Schedule 1 hen(s) / layer hen replaced on 9 May 2021 by section 25(2) of the Animal Welfare (Care and Procedures) Amendment Regulations 2020
This Appendix is not part of the Code of Welfare but is included as a reference.
Although efforts to include relevant regulations within this Code have been made, there may be other regulations which are relevant to you. The full list of all animal welfare regulations should be consulted where appropriate. See: Animal Welfare (Care and Procedures) Regulations 2018 – NZ Legislation
In these regulations, unless the context otherwise requires,—
Appendix replaced on 9 May 2021 by Notice in the Gazette 2021-go1589
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