Over 350,000 laying hens committed to cage-free housing in Ghana

12 Sept

The Animal Welfare League is steadfastly committed to fostering a society that prioritizes the welfare of animals. One of our key initiatives involves collaborating with egg producers and various stakeholders within the poultry industry to establish comprehensive guidelines for farming practices that place animal welfare at the core, aiming at eliminating cruel practices such as battery cages among others. By setting these standards, we aim to transform Ghana into a nation that is averse to bad animal welfare practices.

In pursuit of these objectives, we have identified and implemented a series of minimum standards for poultry farming currently observed by farmers in the National Cage-Free Farmers’ Network since the beginning of 2023. These standards are grounded in scientific principles and research that underline their significance in ensuring the well-being of chickens.

Loose Housing Systems: Chickens should be housed in loose housing systems, such as aviaries or open-floor systems, at all times. This housing style offers several benefits to the chickens, including increased mobility and space to engage in their natural behaviors.
Room for Natural Behaviors: This requirement is crucial to ensure that birds can express their natural behaviors, which are essential for their physical and psychological well-being.
Access to Appropriate Littered Areas: Providing chickens with access to an appropriate littered area is vital for their comfort and health.
Suitable Nest Access: All laying hens must have access to suitable nests. Nests provide a safe and secure environment for hens to lay their eggs.
Regular Health and Welfare Monitoring: Monitoring includes assessing the birds' physical condition, behavior, and overall well-being.
Enrichment: Enrichment refers to the provision of objects or activities that stimulate the birds' mental and physical faculties. Enrichment is scientifically proven to reduce stress and improve the overall welfare of birds.

REGIONAL DISTRIBUTION OF FARMERS AND LAYER HENS ON NATIONAL CAGE FREE FARMERS’ NETWORK

Regional Distribution of Farmers
There is a total of ninety-three (93) farmers signed unto Animal Welfare League’s national cage-free farmers’ network and below are the regional variations.

Regional Distribution of Layer Hens

The reported current production of the network is 369,110 hens, which is a sum of individual farm production. These layer hens are distributed across production regions as highlighted below.