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Abstract
The first choice experiment investigated consumer preferences for different housing
systems, while the second investigated consumer preferences for attributes of a housing
system. Each choice experiment had two information treatments. In both treatments,
a description of each housing system was provided, while in the second treatment, there
was additional information regarding the consequences (in terms of effect on birds) of
each housing systems based on scientific research. The results indicate that Canadian
consumers are willing to pay a premium for eggs from free run and free range systems,
but not for eggs from enriched cage systems. There are also positive marginal WTPs
for cage-free, outdoor access, access to nests box, perches, scratching pads and more
space. In both choice experiment, the WTP for enhanced animal welfare attributes
are lower in treatment 2 (with additional information) than treatment 1. Consumer
preference for outdoor access is quite consistent across two choice experiments.