What is the Laying Hen Welfare Forum?
The Laying Hen Welfare Forum brings together expertise from industry, farm, animal welfare and government to explore how we can improve flock management and reduce injurious pecking amongst laying hens.
Through practical studies, the group is seeking to establish economically positive ways of improvement in animal welfare for laying hens and pullets.
The LHWF will promote knowledge transfer to the wider egg industry, including the domestic poultry keeping sector, and endeavour to encourage adoption of best practice by all.
Latest information
Latest News
Further drop in antibiotic use and resistance
The latest government VARSS report for antibiotic use during 2018 for farm animals shows a continuing downward trend – half the use of 2014. The pig and poultry sectors are at the forefront of the UK’s success in reducing antibiotic use in farm producing species. The poultry sector has led the way, decreasing use by 80% since 2012. BEIC collects data regarding antibiotic use in layers.
Posted on: 08 December 2019
Latest Blog post
Yorkshire Egg Producers discuss feather cover
General challenges in egg production and ways of maintaining feather cover were discussed at the January meeting at a workshop run by the Laying Hen Welfare Forum. Key concerns were disease challenges, litter quality and ventilation. Providing enrichments, including pecking blocks, was found to be useful by many producers to maintain feather cover.
Posted on: 14 February 2020
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Part funded by
The work of the Laying Hen Welfare Forum is part funded by the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development
