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Consumer demand regarding animal welfare has significantly influenced changes in the poultry sector globally. As a response, many poultry producers are transitioning from conventional battery cages to more spacious, cage-free systems. This shift not only grants layer hens more freedom to move but allows them to engage in natural behaviors like foraging and dust-bathing.
Indonesia, recognized as the second-largest egg producer worldwide, is undergoing similar changes. Numerous multinational and local food companies are promising to enhance animal welfare by exclusively sourcing cage-free eggs by 2025.
However, the shift to cage-free practices poses financial challenges for farmers.
A recent study has highlighted the perspectives of farmers across Asia regarding the movement towards cage-free systems, with a majority of participants from Indonesia. This research outlines the realities, impediments, and viable solutions for the adoption of cage-free methods.
The Issues with Battery Cages
Historically, free-range systems were commonplace in Indonesian poultry farming. However, during the late 20th century, population growth and economic pressures led to industrial farming methods, including the use of battery cages. These cages were first developed in the U.S. and Europe to boost egg production efficiency, but they have since faced backlash for negatively impacting hens’ well-being.
In battery cage systems, hens are usually confined to an inadequate space of approximately 500 to 600 cm², which severely limits their movement and ability to exhibit natural behaviors like perching, nesting, and dust bathing, consequently leading to various welfare issues.
Research Insights
The aforementioned study aimed to gather farmers’ insights on the practicality, obstacles, and possible strategies regarding cage-free egg production.
Surveying 202 egg producers across Indonesia, China, Thailand, Japan, Malaysia, and the Philippines, where 108 farmers were from Indonesia, it was found that a significant proportion used battery cages (165 out of 202), while only 37 operated cage-free systems. In Indonesia, over 90% of hens remain in battery cages.
Key Findings
Among the surveyed cage-free farmers, several challenges emerged.
Production costs were cited as the primary challenge, accounting for 22% of responses. Additionally, system management and disease prevention were highlighted, each representing 14% of concerns, indicating the complicated nature of this transition.
Notably, 81% of cage-free producers expressed a need for additional support to manage their farms effectively.
Many farmers currently using cages showed optimism about cage-free systems; 65% felt it was feasible in their country, but they requested more assistance in adopting these systems, such as technical guidance and training resources.
The growing consumer preference for cage-free eggs may contribute to the difficulty in sourcing these eggs in Asia and the relatively low procurement rates by regional food companies.
Creating Supportive Frameworks
When asked for solutions to the challenges faced, cage-free producers emphasized the need for “improving on-farm practices” to ensure operational sustainability. Suggestions included reducing costs, improving production efficiency, and enhancing flock management best practices. This suggests that a successful switch to cage-free farming necessitates fundamental changes in both infrastructure and farming methods.
Moreover, farmers called for better marketing strategies to boost consumer awareness of cage-free eggs. A collaborative approach involving all relevant stakeholders—researchers, egg producers, companies, and animal welfare organizations—will be key to addressing these challenges.
The Need for Enhanced Support
This research underscores the obstacles that farmers encounter in transitioning to cage-free systems. It indicates that effectively addressing egg producers’ concerns and enabling food companies to fulfill their cage-free commitments may involve providing producers with comprehensive education, training, and resources on cage-free practices. Initiatives like the Cage-Free Innovation and Welfare Hub at the University of Gadjah Mada in Yogyakarta, Indonesia, exemplify existing support mechanisms.
Food companies can further assist egg producers by offering capacity building and training, which could enhance the supply and affordability of cage-free eggs locally.
Currently, 16 companies in Indonesia have transitioned to sourcing 100% cage-free eggs. Globally, 79 companies are reported in Compassion in World Farming’s 2023 EggTrack Report, though only 56% have documented progress on their commitments.
As the egg industry continues to navigate the shift towards cage-free production throughout the region, this research emphasizes the urgent need for increased support for farmers to align with consumer expectations for humane egg production practices.
Source
phys.org