Customers can no longer buy free-range eggs in shops across the UK, as the maximum period for indoor housing has been exceeded.

Birds have not been allowed outdoors since November due to fears of avian flu outbreaks, and now eggs sold in shops must be classified as ‘barn eggs’, as the hens reside permanently indoors. 

In Wiltshire, this means that farms such as Stonegate and Haresfield, which pride themselves on their welfare standards, can no longer label their eggs as being free-range.

But one retailer insists there are still benefits to be had by buying organic.

Sustainable food trader Better Food has stocked eggs sold by the Chippenham organic farm; Haresfield for some time, based on their efforts to provide hens with the best welfare. 

Mr Philpott said: “Because we sell organic eggs, they are subject to even further detailed welfare arrangements which go beyond roaming outdoors, so it means that they are in smaller flock sizes of 3,000 - whereas free-range flock sizes can be up to 16,000. 

“Haresfield have confirmed they are following the guidelines.

"By buying organic, we know that they’ve been certified and inspected regularly so from that perspective there isn’t really a need to keep in touch with them over how their hens are being kept right now.”

Currently, there are three main systems in which hens can be kept - battery cages, barns and free-range. 

Most free-range hens on commercial farms live in buildings like the barn system but have access to the outside through 'pophole' openings.

Currently these 'pophole' openings must be closed, but that is still an improvement on conditions for caged hens.

A spokesperson for the RSPCA said: “While it’s far from ideal for free-range birds to be housed indoors, it is important that government restrictions are followed to help prevent the spread of avian flu from wild to farmed birds.

“Similar to our previous lockdowns, avoiding going out and mixing with others reduces the likelihood of the disease spreading.”