Battery Hen Welfare Trust

"Working to inspire a free range future"

North Parks
CHULMLEIGH
Devon EX18 7EJ

Patrons: Jamie Oliver, Duchess of Richmond, Pam Ayres Hens re-homed to date ... 91,265 Amanda Holden, Antony Worrall-Thompson, Jimmy Doherty

Barn v Free Range

In an ideal world we’d all like to see hens scratching around the orchards of the UK countryside – however, given this would not be commercially practicable, we believe that barn eggs are acceptable in terms of welfare standards.

Many farmers currently have old battery units which they are considering replacing with barns. However, public perception of the barn system is that it’s not much better than battery.

We disagree; it’s a lot better.

If stocking densities and husbandry is correct, barn hens have freedom of movement, they can stretch, flap, usually dust bathe, roost and nest. Battery hens can fulfil none of these behavioural needs.

Many farmers we speak to complain that they do not get more money for their barn eggs because consumer perception is incorrect and therefore sales are poor. Barn eggs are cheaper than free range and we hope that more consumers will support the farmer who wants to convert from battery to barn and free range production.

WE NEED TO SUPPORT THE BRITISH FARMER TO PRODUCE THE EGGS THAT WE WANT TO EAT