Source:  COALITION FOR SUSTAINABLE EGG SUPPLY, 3/18/15


The objective of the Coalition’s research was to evaluate various laying hen housing systems by considering the impact of multiple variables on a sustainable system.
Commercial scale systems-based research in this area was lacking. Engaging in a holistic, commercial-scale study to evaluate various laying hen housing systems and potential impacts on food safety, the environment, hen health and well-being, worker health and safety and food affordability, provides food system stakeholders with science-based information on sustainability factors to guide informed production and purchasing decisions.

The three housing systems researched were conventional cage, enriched colony and cage-free aviary.

Researchers from Michigan State University, University of California, Davis, Iowa State University, and USDA Agricultural Research Service all participated in the research. Specialized ergonomics research was provided by Cargill Kitchen Solutions.

The research was conducted on a commercial farm in the Midwest, with all three housing systems in the same location.

Engaging in a holistic, commercial-scale study to evaluate various laying hen housing systems and potential impacts on food safety, the environment, hen health and well-being, worker health and safety and food affordability, provides food system stakeholders with science-based information on sustainability factors to guide informed production and purchasing decisions.
The research found there are positive and negative impacts and trade-offs associated with each of the three hen housing systems relative to each of the five sustainability areas. Depending on the goals of a food system stakeholder, the trade-offs may be weighed differently. As a result of the Coalition’s work, stakeholders will benefit from science-based information on sustainability factors to guide production and purchasing decisions.

This research represents a snapshot in time – it assesses elements of hen housing and egg production using a single hen breed/strain, in a particular region of the U.S., over the course of three years and two flocks, in these particular housing systems. While it highlights the trade-offs involved and can assist in supporting informed decision-making, caution should be exercised in applying the research results to other scenarios with different variables. 

• The Research Results Report provides an in-depth look at the research findings, with the goal of offering science-based information on sustainability factors to guide production and purchasing decisions
• The Research Results Report Appendix provides additional insight into the research findings through a variety of charts, tables and graphs. 
• The Summary Research Results Report offers an overview of the research findings.
• Interactive Infographic of Hen Housing Impacts offers a unique look at many of the trade-offs inherent to each system. Depending on the goals of a food system stakeholder, the trade-offs may be weighed differently.
• Links to the eight Poultry Science papers published on the research thus far:
• Comparative evaluation of three egg production systems: Housing characteristics and management practices 
• Impact of commercial housing systems and nutrient and energy intake on laying hen performance and egg quality parameters
• Effect of rearing environment on bone growth of pullets 
• An examination of the utility of heterophil-lymphocyte ratios in assessing stress of caged hens
• Environmental assessment of three egg production systems – Part I. Monitoring system and indoor air quality
• Environmental assessment of three egg production systems – Part II. Ammonia, greenhouse gas, and particulate matter emissions
• Microbiological impact of three commercial laying hen housing systems
• Effects of housing system on the costs of commercial egg production

To read the report, click here.