Article 6
Member States shall ensure that after 1 January 2002 all the cages referred to in this chapter comply at least with the following requirements: 1. laying hens must have: (a) at least 750 cm2 of cage area per hen, 600 cm2 of which shall be usable; the height of the cage other than that above the usable area shall be at least 20 cm at every point and no cage shall have a total area that is less than 2000 cm2; (b) a nest; (c) litter such that pecking and scratching are possible; (d) appropriate perches allowing at least 15 cm per hen; 2. a feed trough which may be used without restriction must be provided. Its length must be at least 12 cm multiplied by the number of hens in the cage; 3. each cage must have a drinking system appropriate to the size of the group; where nipple drinkers are provided, at least two nipple drinkers or two cups must be within the reach of each hen; 4. to facilitate inspection, installation and depopulation of hens there must be a minimum aisle width of 90 cm between tiers of cages and a space of at least 35 cm must be allowed between the floor of the building and the bottom tier of cages; 5. cages must be fitted with suitable claw-shortening devices. CHAPTER IV Final provisions