A single number cannot describe the chicken-space requirements USDA published January 19, 2017. The organic livestock and poultry rule distinguishes laying hens, pullets and broilers, and further divides laying-hen housing into categories. Reading the units matters: the indoor ceilings concern pounds of bird per square foot, not a fixed number of birds that may occupy any enclosure. [2017-00888]

For laying chickens, the final indoor limits are 4.5 pounds of live bird weight per square foot in mobile or aviary housing, 3.75 in slatted or mesh-floor housing, 3.0 in floor-litter housing and 2.25 in other housing. Pullets have a 3.0-pound ceiling; broilers have a 5.0-pound ceiling. Flat areas available to birds count as indoor space, but nest boxes do not. [2017-00888]

The April 2016 proposal had described maximum avian stocking densities varying by production type and life stage. The final rule supplies chicken-specific numerical provisions; it does not establish indoor space allowances for every other avian species. Those other species still face requirements covering matters such as exits, lighting and ammonia. These are stages of one rulemaking, not independent studies of housing performance. [2017-00888][2016-08023]

The publication also separates effectiveness from implementation: March 20, 2017 and generally March 20, 2018, respectively. Broiler indoor-space compliance received until March 20, 2020; egg outdoor access has a separate transition. Those narrow exceptions do not postpone every provision for every producer. The figures describe the standards and schedule as announced, rather than measured conditions on farms. [2017-00888]

Source documents

  1. National Organic Program (NOP); Organic Livestock and Poultry Practiceshttps://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR-2017-01-19/html/2017-00888.htm
  2. National Organic Program; Organic Livestock and Poultry Practiceshttps://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR-2016-04-13/html/2016-08023.htm