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Free-range eggs
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===European Union=== In the [[European Union]], cage-free egg production includes barns, free-range, organic (in the UK, systems must be free-range if they are to be labelled as organic) and aviary systems. Non-cage systems may be single or multi-tier (up to four levels), with or without outdoor access. In the UK, free-range systems are the most popular of the non-cage alternatives, accounting for around 44% of all eggs in 2013, whereas barns and organic eggs together accounted for 5%.<ref>[http://www.defra.gov.uk/statistics/foodfarm/food/eggs/ UK egg production and price statistics] [[Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs]]</ref> In free-range systems, hens are housed to a standard similar to that of a barn or aviary. The [[European Union Council Directive 1999/74/EC]] stipulates that from 1 January 2007 (1 January 2012 for newly built or rebuilt systems), non-cage systems must provide the following: * A maximum stocking density of nine hens/m<sup>2</sup> of "usable" space (units in production on or before 3 August 1999 could continue with a stocking density up to 12 hens/m<sup>2</sup> until 31 December 2011) * If more than one level is used, a height of at least 45 cm between the levels * One nest for every seven hens (or 1 m<sup>2</sup> of nest space for every 120 hens if group nests are used) * Litter (e.g. wood shavings) covering at least one-third of the floor surface, providing at least 250 cm<sup>2</sup> of littered area per hen * 15 cm of perching space per hen.<ref name="ciwf.org.uk">[http://www.ciwf.org.uk/resources/publications/poultry_laying_hens/default.aspx Compassion in World Farming report - Alternatives to the barren battery cage]</ref> In addition to these requirements, free-range systems must also provide the following: * One [[hectare]] of outdoor range for every 2,500 hens (equivalent to 4 m<sup>2</sup> per hen; at least 2.5 m<sup>2</sup> per hen must be available at any one time if the rotation of the outdoor range is practiced) * Continuous access during the day to this open-air range, which must be "mainly covered with vegetation" * Several popholes extend along the entire building length, providing at least 2 m of opening for every 1,000 hens.<ref name="ciwf.org.uk"/> Case studies of free-range systems for laying hens across the EU, carried out by [[Compassion in World Farming]], demonstrate how breed choice and preventive management practices can enable farmers to successfully use non [[Debeaking|beak-trimmed]] birds.<ref name="ciwf.org.uk"/>
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