The movement to eliminate battery cages from poultry farming is rapidly gaining traction, with an increasing number of farmers nationwide embracing the adoption of free cages for raising domestic birds.
During a recent workshop in Koforidua, a significant stride was made as 31 out of 45 poultry farmers in the Eastern region appended their signatures to join the national cage-free farmers network. This step signifies their commitment to adhering to enhanced welfare standards by transitioning away from battery cages and opting for improved methods of raising chickens.
This advocacy endeavor stems from the efforts of the Animal Welfare League, a group of veterinarians hailing from the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST).
The cage-free initiative is focused on eradicating the mistreatment of layer and broiler chickens within what is considered to be ‘cruel’ conventional cages.
Furthermore, the initiative holds the aspiration of positioning Ghana as the inaugural African nation to successfully implement a comprehensive cage-free poultry framework.
As of now, the network comprises 62 farmers based in the Greater Accra and Ashanti regions. Remarkably, two of the participating farmers have pledged to entirely eliminate the use of battery cages.
Dr. Daniel Abiliba, Director of the Animal Welfare League, has refuted misconceptions surrounding cage-free systems. He emphasized that this endeavor aims to deliver products of elevated welfare standards to both consumers and corporate entities.
“Some farmers think the popularly practiced deep litter system yields lower production. But that’s not really the case. I call on all the farmers to abandon battery cages as a housing system for the animals,” he said.
He extended an invitation to farmers to become part of the national cage-free farmers network and directory. This collaborative effort engages industry and research stakeholders to ensure the provision of products with superior welfare standards for consumers and businesses.
Meanwhile, Victor Oppong Agyei, President of the Ghana National Association of Poultry Farmers, expressed concern over the existing state of the nation’s poultry sector. In light of economic and health-related challenges faced by the industry, he urged farmers to regard the well-being of their avian stock as an instrumental factor in enhancing productivity.
A recent survey conducted in the Accra metropolis revealed that nearly half of the respondents expressed a preference for free-range eggs in comparison to eggs sourced from hens kept under confining conditions.
The network currently boasts an estimated annual egg production exceeding 10 million eggs. Notably, this collective supplies free-range eggs to both local and international corporate establishments, encompassing hospitality entities and manufacturing firms.
About Animal Welfare League
As an animal advocacy entity, the league stands committed to enhancing the well-being of animals in Ghana. Operating as a non-profit organization, their efforts entail collaborating with corporations, stakeholders, communities, and governmental bodies to advance animal welfare, contributing to a more favorable ecosystem for both animals and humans.
Notably, the organization has previously garnered recognition for its initiatives. Their endeavors encompass educational programs on animal welfare within primary schools as well as the provision of complimentary pet vaccinations. These contributions have been acknowledged and featured on the World Health Organization’s official website.