Keeping hens inside

Why would free range hens be kept inside?

Occasionally in the UK, Europe and other countries, it is necessary to keep hens inside to protect them from bird flu. It is up to the Chief Veterinary Officers across the UK to decide whether hens need to be housed.

Although farmers prefer to see their free range hens enjoying the outside, they understand that it is more important to protect the health and welfare of hens by keeping them inside temporarily. In the UK, as soon as it is safe to do so, the Government will allow the birds to go back outside.

Do hens mind being kept inside?

Free range hens are used to spending time inside their houses - all free range birds go inside at night anyway.  They are free to roam around the house and have nesting boxes, perching areas and scratching areas. They have continuous access to feed and water.

If hens do need to be kept inside, farmers help the birds to adapt to a new routine, spending more time with them and making even more regular checks on their welfare. Farmers will make it easier for hens to adust by providing additional activities, for example hanging items, straw bales and other toys such as footballs and plastic bottles for them to play with, to ensure that their welfare is not affected.

Do farmers' costs reduce when their free range hens are temporarily kept inside?

No, they still have the cost of the ranging area outside the hen house and need to maintain this land to make sure it is ready and safe for when the hens are able go outside again. Farm workers still need to look after the birds while they are inside the house - many farmers will actually need to spend more time with their birds as they settle into a new routine, as well as providing additional activities for them.