Government Resolution No. 545 validating the minimum requirements for the protection of egg-laying hens.

This Government Resolution establishes the minimum requirements for the protection of egg laying hens. It does not apply to: (a) the enterprise, with less than 350 egg laying hens; and (b) the enterprise, where the breeding of egg laying chickens is carried out. The implementation of this Government Resolution is controlled by the legal entity of public law within the system of the Ministry of Environmental Protection and Agriculture of Georgia - the National Food Agency. Egg-laying hen shall be intended a Gallus gallus hen that has reached maturity and is kept for egg production and is not intended for breeding/incubation. All egg laying hens must have: (a) either a linear feeder that provides at least 10 cm per bird or a circular feeder that provides at least 4 cm per bird; (b) either an automatic (continuous) hatcher providing 2.5 cm per hen or a circular hatcher providing 1 cm per hen; in addition, where litter boxes or cups are used, there should be at least one litter box or cup for every 10 chickens; where feeders are installed, not less than two cups or two troughs shall be available for each hen; (c) at least one nest for every seven hens; if group coops are used, there should be at least 1 m2 of coop space for a maximum of 120 hens; (d) adequate cage, without sharp edges and not less than 15 cm for each chicken; the horizontal distance between the ledges should be at least 30 cm, and the horizontal distance between the ledge and the wall should be at least 20 cm; and (e) at least 250 cm2 of bedding area (per hen), bedding should occupy at least one third of the ground/floor surface.