Spent Hen Disposal Across Canada

Livestock Welfare INSIGHTS Issue 4 - Jun 03

SIGNIFICANT CHANGES AND REGIONAL DIFFERENCES

SPENT HEN DISPOSAL ACROSS CANADA

Spent hens reach the end of their laying cycle in a physically fragile state. This results in animal welfare related handling and transportation challenges for the egg industry. The new Code of Practice for poultry states,

One approach to improving the welfare of spent fowl is reduced handling and transportation time. Humane on-farm disposal of spent hens is encouraged as are on going improvements to systems currently in use.

Due to the low meat yield of laying hens there is little demand for layers in food processing. “We are always concerned that eventually the processors will not have a requirement for spent hens," says one industry spokesperson. Others in the egg industry across Canada echo this sentiment.

The rendering value of spent hens is also declining. Western egg producers have faced steady increases in the on-farm disposal costs for their hens.

In Newfoundland, hens are now killed on-farm and transported for processing as a food source for farmed foxes. “It is a win-win situation for both industries,” says Ruth Noseworthy, Manager Newfoundland Egg Marketing Board.

Research on spent hen disposal is focused on on-farm methods. Initiatives are underway to provide producers with economical and humane alternatives for spent hen disposal.

Nova Scotia has investigated converting spent hens into feed for the fur farm industry. Dr. Kirsti Rouvinen-Watt, Principle Researcher Nova Scotia Agricultural College, says, “Our group would like to examine the ‘macerator option’ as we feel this could be the most uncomplicated, humane and quick method of disposal.” The unit “vacuums” birds down a tube, to a grinder that kills the birds upon impact with the blades. National and provincial egg and mink industries (including CEMA), and the provincial government are funding the project.

In Alberta, the current method of hen disposal is via mobile electrocution units. Alberta Agriculture (AAFRD), Agriculture Canada (AAFC), AFAC and CEMA are partnering to provide a scientific review of the process from a humane perspective. The study is investigating CO2 gassing as humane option. “In addition to ensuring a humane kill, an efficient machine with high throughput must allow for quick barn cleanout and lower labor costs for the producer,” says Dr. John Church, Livestock Welfare Specialist, AAFRD.

Province	Number of Laying Hens (2002)*	Methods of Disposal. On-Farm methods (electrocution, CO2 gassing, cervical dislocation, macerator, or unknown)	Transport to Processor (water bath stunner)
BC	2,343,285	30% electrocution	70% to a plant in BC**
AB	1,546,910	65% electrocution, 35% combination of others listed	0%
SK	797,555	60-70% CO2 gas, some - unknown	Small number hauled to plant in MB
MB	2,122,841	45-68% electrocution. This number is dropping. In 2003 a macerator began operating. The situation is in flux. It is too soon to assess the popularity of this option.	32-55% in 2002, this number has now dropped Very few birds are being transported
ON	6,986,776	0%	100%
PQ	3,306,548	0%	100% to processors in PQ & ON
NB	404,272	0%	100% majority to ON, small number to PEI
NS	719,094	0%	100% majority to provincial plant, small number to ON & PEI
PEI	121,172	0%	100% to provincial plant
NF	318,533	As of 2002 100%, methods used: CO2 gas, cervical dislocation	Prior to 2002 a provincial plant was used
NWT	112,358	100% cervical dislocation	0%

* Numbers from Canadian Egg Marketing Agency (CEMA) 2002 Annual Report www.canadaegg.ca/english/facts/2001_shorizon_e.pdf

** This is a significant change from almost 100% of birds being killed on-farm in 2001. A decline in the market demand of spent hens for rendering purposes is responsible.