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More and more, we’re interested in where our eggs come from, and whether the hens that lay them are ‘happy’. But how much do we know about what makes a good life for a hen? Where did our current ideas about hen welfare come from, and is it ever possible to measure hen ‘happiness’?

Wendy Hargreaves visits Kinross Farms in Victoria, and speaks to Regional Manager Ruben Dare and Farm Manager Brian Smith. We also hear from Dr Dana Campbell, a research scientist at the CSIRO specialising in hen behaviour, and Dr Hugh Millar, who spent 11 years as Victoria’s Chief Veterinary Officer.

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A huge part of hen welfare is the health of the flock. Caged farming systems seem like prisons to many people but they were actually developed to make hens healthier. Now, with hens moving back outdoors, some of the health challenges from 50 years ago are re-emerging. 

The farmers at Days Eggs know the trade-offs involved in hen welfare well—they operate caged, barn laid and free range farms in South Australia. Join Wendy Hargreaves as she visits Managing Director Dion Andary and Welfare Officer Jess Spencer, and learns about hen health in all farming systems. 

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Australians are eating more and more eggs every year and they are an important source of protein for millions of people. But with all forms of food production facing challenges like population growth, climate change and biosecurity threats, how can different systems of egg farming change and adapt?

We hear from Managing Director of Australian Eggs Rowan McMonnies, free range egg farmer Meg Parkinson, and Days Eggs Dion Andary about future opportunities in egg farming, and what they will mean for the living conditions of laying hens. 

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