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Egg Laying Hens

​Senate Bill 805​​​​​​

Senate Bill (SB) 805 was signed into law in 2011 with the intent of transitioning commercial egg farms in Oregon to the use of larger cages and enriched colony systems that may include cage-free production systems.​

Senate Bill 1019

Senate Bill (SB) 1019 was passed by the Oregon Legislature during the 2019 regular session revising the the egg-laying hen confinement laws effective January 1, 2024.

  • It prohibits the use of cages including battery cages and enriched colony cage systems which were permitted in SB 805. 
  • It requires commercial egg producers in Oregon to adopt cage-free production practices.
  • It limits the distribution of eggs and egg products into Oregon to those eggs sourced from producers who are using cage-free production systems consistent with this bill.​
​The new legislation directs ODA to adopt rules effective January 1, 2024. 

Agency rulemaking

ODA will develop rules based on the legislative requirements implementing SB 1019 to be filed with Oregon Secretary of State no later than January 1, 2023 that

  • provide minimum standards for the confinement of commercial egg-laying hens based on the 2017 edition of the United Egg Producers Animal Husbandry Guidelines for U.S. Egg-laying flocks, and
  • prohibit the distribution of eggs and egg products into the state which are sourced from non-compliant production facilities.

Exemptions are granted for specific cases including 

  • state and county fair exhibitions, 
  • rodeo exhibitions, 
  • 4-H program exhibitions, 
  • veterinary care needs, 
  • transportation and depopulations operations, etc.  
  • Exemptions are also granted for small commercial farms producing eggs with fewer than 3,000 hens.​

​​​​Resources

American Humane Association

American Humane Farms website

Caged Laying-Hen Administrative Rule and Information

Caged laying-hen rule and information

Guidelines for Cage-Free Housing from United Egg Producers

Animal Husbandry Guidelines for U.S. Egg-Laying Flocks

OAR 603-018: Rules for egg-laying hens housed in cages

OAR 603 Division 18: Rules for egg-laying hens housed in cages

Oregon Legislature (2011) Senate Bill 805

Egg-laying hen compliance. Senate Bill 805

Oregon Legislature (2019) Senate Bill 1019

Senate Bill 1019

ORS 632.705 - 632.850: Eggs Processing & Sale, Laying Conditions

ORS 632: Production, Grading and Labeling Standards for Agricultural and Horticultural Products

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Contact

Steven Harrington
Program Manager
635 Capitol Street NE
Salem, OR 97301
Phone: 503-931-3156

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