Typically a laying cage system consists of a series of at least three tiers of cages. The cages have sloping mesh floors so that the eggs roll forward out of the reach of the birds to await collection. Droppings pass through the mesh floors onto boards, belts, the floors of the house or into a pit to await removal. Food is supplied in troughs fitted to the cage fronts and an automatic water supply is provided. The units are kept at an even temperature and are well ventilated.
Electric lighting provides an optimum day length throughout the year.
All cage units are fitted with alarms that will ring if any of the ventilation equipment fails. Alternative ways of feeding and of maintaining a satisfactory environment are available in the event of a breakdown. Lion Quality eggs produced by hens in cages do not use 'farm' descriptions nor pictures of hens roaming freely on the egg box. In the barn system the hen house has a series of perches and feeders at different levels. The European Egg Marketing Regulations stipulate a maximum stocking density of 25 hens per square metre of floor space.