In September 2005 ORIMA Research carried out research into the ACT community's egg purchasing habits and the community's views on the use of battery caged hens for egg production.

Data for the survey was collected through telephone interviews. The sample was comprised of 350 Canberra residents aged at least 18 years and selected using stratified random sampling.

The main points are:

1. Whether it is cruel to keep hens in battery cages

84.6% of all respondents felt that it is cruel to keep hens in battery cages.

When split by household income levels ($100,000 or more, $50,000 to $99,999 and less, $50,000 or less) between 80% and 90% of all those surveyed were in agreement that it is cruel to keep hens in battery cages.

Residents in Woden Valley, followed by North Canberra and Tuggeranong were most likely to believe it is cruel to keep hens in battery cages.

Younger people (88%) and females (90.1%) were more likely to believe the practice is cruel.

2. Whether keeping battery hens in cages should be banned

Nearly three quarters (73.0%) felt that keeping hens in battery cages should be banned.

Residents of North Canberra, followed by Tuggeranong and Western Creek were more likely to hold this view.

This sentiment was more common among younger respondents - 81.7% of those aged 18 to 34 years agreed, compared to about 68% of older respondents.

3. Free range consumption

One in two (49.9%) egg purchasing households reported that more than three quarters of the eggs they consume are free range. Furthermore, over one quarter of respondents (28.4%) indicated that they only purchase free range eggs.

More females (56.0%) purchased free range eggs at least three quarters of the time, compared to 43.9% of males.

The groups found to have the highest consumption of free range eggs were households with incomes of at least $100,000 per year - 65.4% purchased free range eggs at least three quarters of the time. This is compared to about 48% for households with incomes of less than $50,000 per year.

4. Reasons for not purchasing free range

The most common reasons given for not purchasing free range eggs were:
· their higher cost in comparison to other eggs (33.5%); and
· their lack of availability at locations where respondents shop (13.1%).

Only 8% say they are happy buying eggs that are not free range.

THINK, BUY FREE RANGE