In brief

Kleingruppenhaltung (rearing in small groups) - in addition to floor, free-range and organic rearing - is set to replace conventional cage rearing. Germany is to ban cage rearing of laying hens by the end of 2008, although it will be allowed in exceptional cases until the end of 2009.

 

Kleingruppenhaltung enables the laying hens to live as appropriate to their conduct and species. The hens can lay their eggs undisturbed in a darkened nest. Seating bars offer a raised resting place, whilst litter permits scratching and picking.

 

On the basis of strict German laws, the Qualitätsgemeinschaft Kleingruppenhaltung has developed uniform criteria for the production and processing of eggs from rearing in small groups.