A little eggs-tra space

This fun lesson explores the differences between caged hens and free-range hens kept for commercial egg production and the associated welfare issues. Pupils learn to identify the method of production from the information given on the egg box.

Curriculum objectives

Pupils should learn:

• that animals, including humans, move, feed, grow, use their senses and reproduce
• to share their opinions on things that matter to them and explain their views
• to recognise choices they can make.

Animal welfare objectives

Pupils should learn:

• that farm animals have basic needs and it is the farmer's job to meet those needs
• that some of our food comes from animals
• that free-range and barn-egg systems are kinder methods of egg production than the cage system
• that when we go shopping, we can look out for food that comes from animals that have received a higher standard of care.

Learning outcomes

At the end of this lesson:

• most pupils: will know that laying hens have basic needs, like humans, and that these include the need to behave naturally. They can list some of the natural behaviours and know that caged hens cannot enjoy as many of these as free-range hens. They know that most egg boxes carry clues as to how the eggs were produced
• some pupils have not made so much progress and: know that laying hens have basic needs, like humans, and that these include the need to behave naturally. They know that caged hens cannot behave as naturally as free-range hens
• some pupils have progressed further and: know that laying hens have basic needs, like humans, and that these include the need to behave naturally. They can list the natural behaviours and know that caged hens cannot enjoy as many of these as free-range hens. They know that most egg boxes carry clues as to how the eggs were produced and can recognise labels for eggs from caged and free-range hens.