Multi-tier rearing units are better for the health and welfare of the birds and produce more financially productive layers.
This is according to the manager of an egg company where a unit has been studied for the last 18 months.
Gordon Alexander, manager at Heal Eggs near Shrewsbury in Shropshire, told FarmingUK TV that pullets reared on the system were less stressed on transfer to multi-tier production units.
They also suffered less keel bone damage, maintained feathering better, ranged better and expressed dust bathing characteristics earlier.
Economically, productivity was higher and the number of seconds was reduced.
RSPCA Assured has still to give its approval to the use of multi-tier pullet rearing, although there is optimism that such approval will eventually be forthcoming.
The unit at Heal’s is one that the RSPCA is studying before making a decision.
British Free Range Egg Producers Association (BFREPA) says it represents producers who use both types of system.
Association chairman Myles Thomas said: "The key point for the public to understand is that, regardless of the choice of housing system, the same high welfare standards are applied and all birds have access to the range, to food, to water and space to move around in.
"There are many different ways to produce free range eggs and it’s in the hands of the producer to decide which system works best for them and their birds."
