Report No. 269

14. Design of perches -

(1) Perches shall be designed to have a gap of not less than 1.27 cm in on either side of any perch to allow hens to grip the perches without risk of trapping their claws.

(2) The perches shall be at least 3.18 cm wide at the top (round perches shall have a diameter of not less than 3.18 cm), have no sharp edges, and be of a non-slip material.

(3) The perches shall be positioned to minimise dirtying of any hens below and, when possible, shall be over a droppings pit.