New Zealand
Colony-Laid Eggs

A colony cage is an enlarged, inside enclosure that can house up to 60 hens. Often referred to as enriched systems, they give hens access to an enclosed area much larger than a conventional cage (which often house 3-7 birds, by comparison to 60 hens in a colony environment) and includes equipment that is designed to allow birds to express natural behaviours such as perching, scratching and nesting.

All colony egg farms must comply with Animal Welfare (Layer Hens) Code of Welfare 2018, which is administered by MPI in New Zealand, and was developed by the National Animal Welfare Advisory Committee (NAWAC).

More information

Download the Colony Eggs information sheet.