Enriched colony cage production
(35.4% of UK production)

Across the EU conventional 'battery' cages were banned in 2012.  In the UK, they have been replaced by larger, ‘enriched’ colony cages. 

Colony cages provide 750cm² per hen, along with a nest box for the hens to lay their eggs in, perching space for the hens to sleep on and a scratching area to perform natural behaviours. In the UK, enriched colony cages contain between 40 and 80 birds, enabling better use of the space and giving them more room to move around the colony.

Food is supplied in troughs fitted to the cages and an automatic water supply is provided. The units are kept at an even temperature and are well ventilated. Lighting provides an optimum day length throughout the year. 

When the eggs are laid they roll onto a conveyor belt out of reach of the hens to await collection.

Free range egg production
(59% of UK production)

For eggs to be termed 'free range', hens must have continuous daytime access to runs which are mainly covered with vegetation and a maximum stocking density of 2,500 birds per hectare. Hens go inside at night, where the hen house conditions must comply with the regulations for birds kept in barn systems, with a maximum stocking density of 9 hens per square metre of useable area.  

Hens must be provided with next boxes. Adequate perches, providing 15 centimetres of perch per hen, must also be provided. Litter must be provided, accounting for one-third of the ground surface - this is used for scratching and dust bathing.

Barn egg production
(1.8% of UK production)

In the barn system hens are able to move freely around the house. Legislation stipulates a maximum stocking density of 9 hens per square metre of useable floor space. Perches for the hens must be installed to allow 15 centimetres of perch per hen. Litter must account for one third of the ground surface - this is used for scratching and dust bathing.

One nest box per five hens or communal nests, at the rate of 120 birds/m² of floor area, is provided. Linear feeders provide at least 10 cm per hen, or circular feeders provide at least 4 cm per hen. There is also plenty of drinking space per hen. Water and feeding troughs are raised so that the specially prepared food is not scattered. Electric lighting is provided to give an optimum day length throughout the year. 

Organic egg production
(3.8% of UK production)

Hens producing organic eggs are free range. In addition, they must be fed an organically produced diet and ranged on organic land.

The hen house conditions for organic hens are set by the retained EU Organic Regulation and stipulate a maximum stocking density of 6 hens per square metre of useable area and a maximum flock size of 3,000 birds.  Hens must be provided with nest boxes. Adequate perches, providing 18 centimetres of perch per hen, must also be provided. Litter must be provided, accounting for one-third of the ground surface - this is used for scratching and dust bathing.