Aviary Free Run Layer Barn

Burnbrae Farms Free Run Omega 3 ™ and Naturegg Free Run ™ eggs are produced by hens that are free to roam in wide open concept barns with perches and nests. We offer a variety of egg products to our customers; we work hard to offer products to suit the personal value system important to each and every one of you.

There are currently two types of free run barns available to egg farmers today. In a traditional free run barn like the one featured here, hens live freely on wire or slatted floors, some with bedded areas for scratching and dust bathing in an enclosed barn. They have access to feed and water, perches for roosting and nesting areas to lay their eggs. The second style of free run barn is an aviary.  Please read on or click here to learn more.

Aviary Free Run Barn

In this aviary system the hens also exhibit a number of normal bird behaviours with the ability to fly, dust bathe, perch and lay their eggs in private nesting areas but can now also access these on multiple levels. Bird behaviours are interesting, special ramps and ladders have been built  so that birds that don't like to fly can walk up to access the different levels.

Perches

Birds like to perch and they are well used by our hens in both the free run and enriched colony housing systems. At night, as the lights in the barn dim, the hens will naturally make their way up to the perches to prepare to sleep as they would instinctively in the wild to avoid predators. The lighting in the barns is controlled, the hens receive approximately 14 hours of daylight and then the lights are shut off so they sleep at night.

Laying Eggs in a Private Nesting Area

Hens like laying eggs in private nesting areas, where it is quiet, dark and they have a sense of privacy. The nests are designed with a slightly sloping floor. Once the eggs are laid, they roll down onto a conveyor belt that takes them to a central collection room, ensuring that they are quickly collected, cooled and kept clean to prepare for grading.

Dust Bathing

The floor of this barn is covered in a material that poultry farmers call "litter". It is a combination of wood or straw shavings as well as the birds' manure. The hens enjoy dust bathing in these areas. The litter allows the hens to scratch and to dust bathe – both natural instincts. By dust bathing, chickens remove dander, feather flakes and excess oils from their skin and feathers. When they're finished, they shake out a considerable amount of dust and dirt.

Pecking Order

In aviary housing systems, hens are kept in larger groups and aggression between hens that compete to be at the top of the hierarchy (or pecking order, this term likely originated with birds) can be a problem. There are also more instances of feather pecking and bullying. To learn more about the pecking order click here . We do have some tricks though to distract the hens and keep their focus away from pecking each other.  These bales of hay and balls are great mechanisms to distract and divert the hens from picking on each other. In Canada, the majority of hens are housed indoors where they can be easily monitored daily and are safe from inclement weather, predators, and exposure to wild birds and diseases. While the aviary housing system offers greater freedom of activity, it can expose the hens to greater risks. There are pos and cons in all layer barn systems. In the aviary, the litter described above contributes to higher ammonia and dust levels. This can result in air quality issues for the birds and their caretakers. Due to the “pecking order” access to feed and water can also be more challenging versus enriched colony and conventional barns. We encourage you to visit VirtualFarmTours.ca where you can tour five Canadian egg farms and view the different housing systems.

In Canada, the majority of hens are housed indoors where they can be easily monitored daily and are safe from inclement weather, predators, and exposure to wild birds and diseases. While the aviary housing system offers greater freedom of activity, it can expose the hens to greater risks. There are pos and cons in all layer barn systems. In the aviary, the litter described above contributes to higher ammonia and dust levels. This can result in air quality issues for the birds and their caretakers. Due to the “pecking order” access to feed and water can also be more challenging versus enriched colony and conventional barns. We encourage you to visit VirtualFarmTours.ca where you can tour five Canadian egg farms and view the different housing systems.

What's in them for you?

All eggs, including our Free Run eggs are an excellent source of protein. Each 53 g egg is a source of 13 vitamins and minerals and excellent source of vitamin B12 and selenium. Burnbrae Farms Free Run Omega 3 eggs have the added benefit of omega-3 fatty acids and lutein and are a proud supporter of green electricity with Bullfrog Power®. We hope you enjoy our Free Run eggs, which you can find at major retailers across Canada.