The way we treat animals concerns me. Thank you for taking public feedback on board. I really appreciate it.

It's acknowledged on p12 of the drafted welfare standards for poultry that hens need to be housed in a way that allows them to "stand, lie and stretch their wings and limbs and perform normal patterns of behaviour" , but the new standards don't satisfy this requirement. Fundamental patterns of behaviour (such as stretching) are not possible in cages. Animal Health Australia's assertion that caged birds have an acceptable level of welfare is nonsensical. Caged poultry systems don't meet even the most basic behavioural needs of hens. You are duty-bound to look to scientists in developing this code, and if you had done so, then caged poultry systems would be up for proper discussion.

I'd like to see a phase out of cages.

Please know, that Australians will not accept colony or furnished cages either. I understand that countries that were using bigger cages have already decided to phase them out. It would be ridiculous to move to a system that is already being passed on elsewhere.

In colony cages, hens:

1)  can't move freely

2)  are restricted from foraging

3)  are still in a cage

4)  can't nest in private

5)  have about the same space per hen as in a battery cage

6)  are denied many behaviours important to them