Egg producers have been invited to apply for a grant to add a veranda onto, or to upgrade or replace existing laying hen or pullet housing to improve animal health and welfare. The Defra scheme, announced by farming minister Mark Spencer at the British Pig & Poultry Fair, is now open for applications.
You can apply for a Laying Hen Housing for Health and Welfare grant for either a:
- comprehensive project – to upgrade (refurbish) or replace (with new) existing buildings that currently house laying hens or pullets to deliver health and welfare benefits
- veranda-only project – to add a veranda to existing laying hen or pullet housing to deliver health and welfare benefits
Comprehensive projects for both pullets and laying hens should include mechanical ventilation and high welfare multi-tier systems. Any laying hen housing should include a veranda, where outside space is permitted.
You can apply for a grant if you’re an existing commercial egg producer or pullet rearer. You must be a registered keeper of 1,000 or more birds. These must be on site when you fill in the online checker or have been within the last 6 months. Any buildings you build or upgrade with money from the grant must be located in England.
You must either own the land you’re building on or have a tenancy agreement for the land until five years after the project is complete. You can apply if your current agreement will end sooner than five years after the project, if you expect it to continue. If you are a tenant, it is your responsibility to get any necessary permissions from your landlord.
More information can be found on the Defra website: