A review of recent publications on animal welfare issues for table egg laying hens

Abstract

This report, written by Don Bell, a poultry specialist (emeritus) from the University of California, Riverside, examines the various costs and implications associated with producing table eggs in three different systems: cage, barn (litter), and free range. Bell provides a comparison between each system regarding investment costs, labor requirements, land use, and potential egg price differences. Additionally, he discusses potential issues such as increased labor costs and higher investments in land associated with a conversion from cage to free-range systems. Bell emphasizes the importance of considering the economic and welfare implications of each system when making production decisions. – AI-generated abstract.