Moving away from cages — converting a farm to cage-free
Cages in layer farming are on their way out. The European Union is signalling a phase-out, and retail chains are pledging to sell only cage-free eggs. We explain the cage-free systems, what the codes on eggs mean and how to convert a farm step by step, so you avoid the usual problems.
verifiedDel equipo que lleva años organizando el trabajo en granjas avícolas.
Cage-free is any system where layers are not kept in cages but have open floor space, nests, perches and litter. The bird can walk, flap its wings, scratch and lay eggs in a nest — behaving the way nature intended. For the farmer it means more labour and more investment, but also being in line with where the whole European egg market is heading.
Why are cages going away?
There are several reasons and they all point one way. The European citizens’ initiative “End the Cage Age" gathered around 1.4 million signatures in 2021, and the European Commission announced a proposal to phase out cages in farming. In its 2023 opinion on laying hen welfare, EFSA recommends moving away from cages and giving birds perches, nests, litter and pecking materials. On top of that comes market pressure: major retail chains pledge to sell only cage-free eggs, with commitments for 2025–2026. For farms that means conversion is no longer a question of “whether", but “when".
The cage-free systems and what the egg codes mean
Each system has its own code that ends up on the eggshell. It’s the first thing a buyer sees and the basis for settling with your customer.
Barn system (code 2)
The whole house floor is covered with litter and the birds walk on it freely. Nests, perches and the drinking and feeding lines are arranged on a single level. It’s the simplest cage-free system and the most common first step when moving away from cages. The eggs carry code 2.
Aviary system (code 2)
An aviary is a multi-tier system — nests, perches and the drinking and feeding lines are set across several levels. This lets you keep more birds on the same footprint than a barn system, because you use vertical space. The eggs also carry code 2 (barn).
Free-range (code 1)
Birds have access to the house and to an outdoor range, meaning open space with vegetation. This requires more land and good management of the pop-holes and flock health. Free-range eggs carry code 1 and usually fetch a higher price.
Organic (code 0)
The highest standard: free-range combined with organic feed, lower stocking density and organic certification requirements. Birds have outdoor access and production is supervised by a certification body. The eggs carry code 0 and are the most expensive to sell.
The egg code — how to read it
The first digit on the shell is the housing system: 0 means organic, 1 free-range, 2 barn, and 3 cage. It’s this code that disappears from the shelves when retailers switch to selling only cage-free eggs. The rest of the code is the country marking and the farm number.
What to choose when converting
The most common way out of cages is switching to a barn or aviary system, because neither needs extra land for a range. An aviary gives a higher stocking density on the same footprint; a barn is simpler to run. Free-range and organic mean a higher egg price, but also greater requirements for land, feed and certification.
Switching to cage-free step by step
- 1
Choose the system and work out stocking
Start by deciding whether you go for barn, aviary, free-range or organic. That determines how many birds you can keep on your existing footprint and which code ends up on the eggs. An aviary gives more stocking vertically; free-range needs extra land. Make this call before you order any equipment.
- 2
Remove the cages and prepare the house
Take out the cage batteries and prepare the floor for litter and the new technical lines. This is the moment to check the floor slab, the services and the connections. A well-planned removal shortens the downtime between flocks and makes installing the new system easier.
- 3
Install nests, perches and lines
In a barn system you arrange everything on one level; in an aviary, across several tiers. Place the nests so birds find them easily, add perches and the drinking and feeding lines. How you position the nests and perches directly affects how many eggs you later find outside the nest.
- 4
Upgrade the ventilation
Cage-free systems carry more dust and ammonia than cages, because birds scratch in the litter. Stronger, well-controlled ventilation is essential to keep air quality up and litter dry. It’s one of the most often underestimated parts of a conversion.
- 5
Cut down on floor eggs
Floor eggs — eggs laid on the litter instead of in the nest — are a typical problem at the start. You cut them down with good nest placement and lighting, the right light in the house and getting young birds used to the nest from the outset. The fewer floor eggs, the less labour and the better egg quality.
- 6
Manage litter, light and flock behaviour
Dry, loose litter, a well-thought-out lighting programme and watching the flock are the daily basics. In cage-free systems you have to stay on top of cannibalism and feather pecking prevention, because the birds are in closer contact. Good light and litter management is the cheapest insurance for a calm flock.
Frequently asked questions about cage-free
Will cages in layer farming be banned?add
It’s heading that way. After the “End the Cage Age" initiative, which gathered around 1.4 million signatures in 2021, the European Commission announced a proposal to phase out cages in farming, and EFSA’s 2023 opinion recommends moving away from cages. Regardless of how fast the legislation moves, retail chains are already pledging to sell only cage-free eggs, so the market is forcing the change faster than the rules.
How does a barn system differ from an aviary?add
In a barn system the nests, perches and the drinking and feeding lines are on a single level, and the birds walk on litter across the whole floor. An aviary is a multi-tier system — the same elements are set across several levels, so you keep more birds on the same footprint. Both systems produce eggs with code 2.
What do the codes on eggs mean?add
The first digit on the shell is the housing system: 0 is organic, 1 free-range, 2 barn, and 3 cage. It’s code 3 that disappears from the shelves when retailers switch to selling only cage-free eggs. The rest of the code shows the country and the farm number.
What costs and challenges does conversion involve?add
The investment per bird place is higher than for cages, and the typical cage-free challenges come on top: floor eggs, the risk of cannibalism and feather pecking, more dust and ammonia, and the need for good light and litter management. All of it can be controlled, but it calls for stronger ventilation and better flock handling than cages.
Record your housing system and equipment in DlaFerm.pl
In DlaFerm.pl you note which housing system you run in the building and how you equipped the house after conversion — all next to the flock card, together with notes on your documents. Create a free account or write to us.
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