Spring is a time for baby animals, but for the mother hen living at a commercial egg farm, any time of year is time to lay an egg. This month’s issue of FarmSense focuses on the life of egg-laying hens. Learn how battery cages are viewed around the world. Learn about current research into alternative housing systems and raising backyard flocks in urban areas. Brush up on your knowledge of hen and egg trivia… and much more!
Sincerely,
Brandy, Alyssa and Geoff The BC SPCA Farm Animal Welfare Team
PS. You can help spread awareness about the BC SPCA Farm Animal Welfare department and our many programs. Forward this email to friends and colleagues.
Feature story
The future of confinement housing for egg-laying hens
In Canada, more than 26 million hens are raised for egg production each year, and more than 90% of them spend their lives in small, barren battery cages. While these cages allow for efficient and hygienic egg production, there is strong scientific evidence proving they negatively affect bird welfare. As a result, legislation and consumer demand have prompted changes to the way egg-laying hens are raised. This leaves many people wondering what commercial egg production will look like in the future, particularly with the development of a new Canadian Code of Practice for egg-laying hens in the works. Can we implement systems that meet societal expectations to provide hens with a high level of welfare, and at the same time, maintain production efficiency?
Results of Canada-wide discussions about battery cage housing
In May 2011, the Animal Welfare Foundation of Canada hosted four regional meetings focused on determining whether there is a future for laying hen battery cage housing in Canada. Other countries around the world have banned battery cage systems, and so the meeting discussions were intended to help gather opinions on whether the same should occur in Canada.
Urban dwellers in B.C. are becoming increasingly interested in raising backyard flocks of egg-laying hens in order to produce their own fresh eggs daily. However, the BC SPCA is concerned about the lack of knowledge on how to properly raise and care for backyard hens, and how to plan what happens once the hens stop laying eggs. If you are thinking about raising your own backyard flock, first read and consider the following information carefully.
The
BC SPCA, in partnership with many experts, has created a number of
resources for farmers!
All resources can be accessed from the ‘Resources for Farmers’ section on our website.
SPCA Certified updates
TK Ranch certifies sheep
Alberta-based TK Ranch, which has grown SPCA Certified beef cattle and pigs since 2007, has recently begun raising SPCA Certified sheep and lambs. To learn more about where you can buy TK Ranch meats, please visit our SPCA Certified retailers page.
University of Victoria hosts successful SPCA Certified food day
The University of Victoria hosted a one-day event on March 8th to determine campus interest in SPCA Certified foods, and the feasibility of adding additional Certified foods to the menu.
The SPCA Certified red barn label is your assurance that a product meets the BC SPCA’s high standardsfor farm animal welfare.
Connect with us
In other news....
BC SPCA youth farm video - Cluck!
Children of today know a lot about pet welfare and plenty about wildlife issues, but they have little understanding of farm animal welfare or even how farm animals are raised. To help fill that gap, the BC SPCA is bringing the farm to the kids with a 30-minute video to accompany the classroom unit, Cluck! Life of the Egg Laying Chicken.
FarmSense includes news about farm animal welfare issues, research results, and information on the BC SPCA's activities that help farm animals in B.C. We welcome your comments and suggestions on FarmSense content. Please feel free to email us or call 604-681-7271 (or 1-800-665-1868 outside the Lower Mainland).
View or download (.pdf) previous issues of FarmSense on our website at spca.bc.ca/farmsense.
The BC SPCA is a non-profit organization funded primarily by public donations. Our mission is to protect and enhance the quality of life for domestic, farm and wild animals in British Columbia. The Society provides a wide range of services, including cruelty investigations, emergency rescue and treatment, sheltering and adoption of homeless and abused animals, humane education, advocacy, farm animal welfare, spay/neuter programs, and wildlife rescue and rehabilitation.
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In Canada, more than 26 million hens are raised for egg production each year, and more than 90% of them spend their lives in small, barren battery cages. While these cages allow for efficient and hygienic egg production, there is strong scientific evidence proving they negatively affect bird welfare. As a result, legislation and consumer demand have prompted changes to the way egg-laying hens are raised. This leaves many people wondering what commercial egg production will look like in the future, particularly with the development of a new Canadian Code of Practice for egg-laying hens in the works. Can we implement systems that meet societal expectations to provide hens with a high level of welfare, and at the same time, maintain production efficiency?
In May 2011, the Animal Welfare Foundation of Canada hosted four regional meetings focused on determining whether there is a future for laying hen battery cage housing in Canada. Other countries around the world have banned battery cage systems, and so the meeting discussions were intended to help gather opinions on whether the same should occur in Canada. 
Urban dwellers in B.C. are becoming increasingly interested in raising backyard flocks of egg-laying hens in order to produce their own fresh eggs daily. However, the BC SPCA is concerned about the lack of knowledge on how to properly raise and care for backyard hens, and how to plan what happens once the hens stop laying eggs. If you are thinking about raising your own backyard flock, first read and consider the following information carefully.
The University of Victoria hosted a one-day event on March 8th to determine campus interest in SPCA Certified foods, and the feasibility of adding additional Certified foods to the menu. 
Fast facts about hens and eggs
