h5n1 (Bird Flu)

Protecting our hens

We know you love hens and eggs as much as we do. The health, safety and welfare of the hens always comes first at Sunny Queen. Like we do every day, our team and farmers are closely monitoring government and regulatory advice to support the wellbeing of the hens.

Sunny Queen eggs are laid by hens on farms across Queensland, New South Wales, Victoria and South Australia. In response to the elevated avian influenza risk, voluntary housing orders issued by state Chief Veterinary Officers and other relevant advice, we have decided to temporarily house some free range hens inside barns on certain farms when this is in their best interests. This precaution helps protect their health and welfare by reducing potential exposure and maintaining strong flock health and hygiene measures. The hens will return to ranging when it is considered safe to do so.

You might be wondering what this means for the free range flocks that are being housed inside barns during this temporary period. They continue to have plenty of room inside barns and can roam freely while receiving the same high standard of care from farmers and animal care teams every day. The hens have access to fresh feed and clean water, comfortable nesting areas, perches, daily health and welfare monitoring and veterinary support and oversight.

There is currently no impact on production, egg quality or customer supply. The hens remain healthy and cared for.

The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) has recognised avian influenza outbreaks as an exceptional circumstance and has issued guidance acknowledging that free range producers may need to temporarily house hens. The ACCC has advised free range representations can continue for up to 90 days while a housing order or recommendation is in place. This approach recognises that temporary housing is a welfare and health measure.

Sunny Queen will continue to monitor government, veterinary and industry advice and provide updates to our suppliers and customers. For more information, read the ACCC guidance on free range claims during an avian influenza outbreak.

You can also find the latest industry updates from Australian Eggs:

News - Australian Eggs

For further information:

General: 1300 780 055 / info@sunnyqueen.com.au
Media: marketing@sunnyqueen.com.au

H5N1 (bird Flu) Temorary Housing

Why are hens being temporarily housed indoors?

The health, safety and welfare of our free range hens always comes first at Sunny Queen. They may sometimes need to be temporarily housed to help protect their health and welfare, for example during housing orders, biosecurity events or periods of elevated avian influenza risk. Temporary housing means the free range hens may be kept inside barns for a period of time when required, for their protection.

Are the hens safe and healthy?

Yes. Every decision we make puts the health and wellbeing of the free range hens first. They continue to have plenty of room and can roam freely inside barns while receiving the same high standard of care from farmers and animal care teams every day. The hens continue to have access to fresh feed and clean water, comfortable nesting areas, perches, daily health and welfare monitoring and veterinary support.

Have any of the hens been affected by H5N1 (bird flu)?

Why is there a sticker on my egg carton saying “temporarily housed for their protection”?

How will I know if eggs may have come from hens that were temporarily housed inside barns?

Has temporary housing affected egg quality?

Has this affected supply?

Are you still committed to free range farming?

Are your free range hens always kept inside barns?

When will the free range hens return outside?

Why did Sunny Queen decide to house free range hens when some other farms haven't?

Why are products still labelled free-range?

The ACCC is Australia’s regulator for consumer product compliance. The ACCC has published guidance recognising that producers that may be required to temporarily house hens can continue using free range representations for up to 90 days while the housing of hens occurs. This practical approach recognises that temporary housing is a welfare and health measure for hens. The egg industry is continuing to work with the ACCC as the avian influenza issue evolves.