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Hen Cage Gates

In 1999 the Council of the European Union laid down minimum standards for the protection of laying hens in "COUNCIL DIRECTIVE 1999/74/EC". Having been approached by consecutive egg producers and cage-installers from across Ireland, we have developed a range of cage-fronts compatible with existing cage installations which upgrade the cages to meet the standards set laid down in Chapter 2, Article 5;

Provisions applicable to rearing in unenriched cage systems

  1. Member States shall ensure that from 1 January 2003 all cage systems referred to in this chapter comply at least with the following requirements:
  1. at least 550 cm2 per hen of cage area, measured in a horizontal plane, which may be used without restriction, in particular not including non-waste deflection plates liable to restrict the area available, must be provided for each laying hen;
  2. a feed trough which may be used without restriction must be provided. Its length must be at least 10 cm multiplied by the number of hens in the cage;
  3. unless nipple drinkers or drinking cups are provided, each cage must have a continuous drinking channel of the same length as the feed trough mentioned in point 2. Where drinking points are plumbed in, at least two nipple drinkers or two cups must be within reach of each cage;
  4. cages must be at least 40 cm high over at least 65 % of the cage area and not less than 35 cm at any point;
  5. floors of cages must be constructed so as to support adequately each of the forward-facing claws of each foot. Floor slope must not exceed 14 % or 8 %. In the case of floors using other than rectangular wire mesh, Member States may permit steeper slopes;
  6. cages shall be fitted with suitable claw-shortening devices.

  1. Member States shall ensure that rearing in the cages referred to in this chapter is prohibited with effect from 1 January 2012. In addition, with effect from 1 January 2003 no cages such as referred to in this chapter may be built or brought into service for the first time.

A copy of the full text of the 1999/74/EC Directive is available either here, or direct from the European Unions own website here.

The gates we have developed for Baine, Big-Dutchman, Hellmann and Clean-easy have been approved by relevant Regulatory Bodies and installed in both the United Kingdom and the Republic of Ireland, the earliest installation being completed in July 2002.

The photograph above is typical of the new cage fronts range developed to meet the revised standards laid down in the Directive. By extending the cage front out over the feed trough we can afford each bird the requisite 550cm2 unrestricted, usable horizontal cage space per hen.

This solution has proven to be adaptable to a number of different cages without difficulty, although some cage types require additional adaptation where a travelling hopper supplies the feed or there are other obstructions in front of the cages. Please don't hesitate to give us a call to discuss your specific requirements. It is quite possible that we have already developed a solution for your cage, but even if we haven't we would be very pleased to work with you to develop a cage front which will work in your situation.

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