The RSPCA has developed standards for egg producers that ensure a high level of welfare for layer hens. Egg producers can apply to participate in the RSPCA Approved Farming Scheme and this will be granted if the farming system meets the RSPCA’s standards. Farmers on Approved farms are allowed to label egg cartons with the RSPCA logo so that consumers can be assured that the hens are kept according to the RSPCA’s high welfare standards. These standards are much higher than those recommended by the Model Code of Practice for the Welfare of Animals: Domestic Poultry (http://www.publish.csiro.au/nid/22/pid/3451.htm).

Approved egg producers pay a royalty to the RSPCA. Royalties are used to pay Assessors, fund the development of certification standards, and fund campaigns to improve the welfare of farm animals.

The RSPCA Approves both barn and free-range housing systems. These types of system, unlike intensive housing using battery cages, give hens the opportunity to express their full range of behaviours, as well as protecting the hens from disease, predators and the elements.

Some of the requirements in the RSPCA standards for layer hens are:

• Battery cages are not allowed.
• The hens must have:
  • clean, dry litter to use for dust bathing
  • space to flap their wings, fly, stretch, socialise and avoid aggressive birds
  • nests for egg laying
  • adequate perch space
  • constant access to water and nutritious food
  • protection from predators and the elements
  • a litter-free and manure-free area for drinking and feeding
  • clean air, free from the smell of ammonia and with minimal dust levels
  • appropriate lighting levels.
• A maximum stocking density (that is, a maximum number of birds per square metre of floor space) is set, to avoid overcrowding.
• Beak trimming is allowed if it is necessary to avoid feather pecking or cannibalism in the flock, but it must be carried out under specified conditions.
• Approved conditions must be used for transporting birds (including transporting chicks from the hatchery) and for slaughter.
• Stock workers must be trained and alert to problems.
• Careful records must be kept of management conditions and any health problems, and these records must be made available to the RSPCA.
• Farms must allow regular inspections (every 3-6 months) by RSPCA egg assessors to ensure that the standards are being observed.

To learn more about the RSPCA Approved Farming Scheme visit: http://www.rspca.org.au/what-we-do/our-work/approved-farming-scheme.html.

The full RSPCA Approved Farming Scheme standards for eggs can be downloaded here: http://www.rspca.org.au/LayerhensStandardsAug2011.pdf.