Egg producers in England looking to improve the welfare of their laying hens can take advantage of the Laying Hen Housing for Health and Welfare grant. The grant is available for applications until October 2024. This initiative, funded by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) and delivered by Rural Payments Agency (RPA), aims to financially support farmers transitioning to higher-welfare housing systems for their birds.
The Laying Hen Housing for Health and Welfare grant is available to commercial egg producers and pullet rearers in England. To qualify, farmers must have a registered flock of at least 1,000 birds on-site currently or within the last six months.
The housing must be located in England, and can be built on land that either farmers own or, where there is a tenancy agreement that lasts at least five years after the project’s completion. As a tenant, you’ll need to get permission from your landlord for any building work or upgrades. If your tenancy agreement is shorter, you can ask your landlord to “underwrite” the project, meaning they agree to take responsibility for it if your tenancy ends.
Finally, it’s important to note that grant money cannot be used for projects in Northern Ireland and must be solely dedicated to English business operations.
The grant is intended to support established commercial businesses in the egg production sector. This means it’s not available to smaller farms with a flock size of under 1,000 birds, nor is it applicable to public organisations such as Crown bodies, non-departmental public bodies, or local authorities.
The rules of the grant:
There are two main project options. Farmers can apply for a comprehensive grant to completely refurbish or replace existing laying hen houses. Alternatively, farmers can request funding for a veranda addition to their current buildings, providing hens with access to valuable outdoor space.
The application process:
The first step for interested farmers is to check the Government website for detailed guidance and eligibility criteria, and farmers can also submit their online applications.
Getting your application approved:
The key to a successful application lies in demonstrating how the project centres on higher animal welfare. Grant recipients will be required to create housing that offers a high level of biosecurity to protect birds from disease incursion.
Additionally, the environment within the housing must be comfortable for the hens, with features that allow them to move around freely. For comprehensive projects involving both laying hens and pullets, incorporating mechanical ventilation and multi-tiered systems is mandatory.
How much money is available?
The grant amount varies depending on the chosen project. Veranda-only projects can receive between £5,000 and £100,000. For comprehensive upgrades or replacements, the grant range is wider, from £15,000 to £500,000.
It’s important to note the application process differs slightly for each option. Veranda installations are awarded on a first-come, first-served basis, meaning applications are processed in the order they are received. Comprehensive projects, however, go through a more detailed assessment based on how well they align with the outlined welfare priorities.
Ensuring new developments incorporate biosecurity
Livetec have been advising egg and poultry producers about biosecurity for over a decade.
When planning a new building or an extension to an existing one, biosecurity should be part of the planning process. The new grant requires biosecurity to be incorporated into your plans, so getting this right from the start is crucial.
Livetec’s Biosecurity Advisory Service is the first step on your journey to better biosecurity, and protecting your farm from disease incursion. The advice and measures you receive from our advisors will empower you to make informed decisions and take proactive steps to further enhance your biosecurity measures.
