Compared to 2009, total poultry population in 2016 decreased by 8.63% in Croatia. In this period, the number of hens decreased by 42.50%, turkeys by 12.31%, geese by 66.23%, ducks by 51.06%, and the number of other poultry species decreased by 90.92%. Consumption of poultry meat in all European Union countries combined is estimated at 22 kg per capita per year, which is 59.10% more than in Croatia, where poultry meat is consumed at an average level of 9 kg per capita. A similar pattern relates to the consumption of table eggs, which is 20.67% lower in Croatia than the average yearly consumption of 12.1 kg of eggs per capita in all European Union countries combined. Croatia produces 661 million eggs per year. Out of the total number of table egg producers, most of them use extensive production systems and have less than 4,999 birds at their farms, and only three producers have production capacity which exceeds 100,000 birds. The management of laying hens is mostly by using enriched caged systems. In future, the production of indigenous breeds (Zagorje turkey and Hrvatica hen) is anticipated to have an important role in Croatian poultry production, as these breeds are resistant and endurable, and have the potential to assure self-sustainability of small poultry producers.

A review is presented of results from research and commercial production of two alternative keeping systems – furnished cages and aviary systems. These systems have gradually evolved through criticism of conventional cage keeping of layers, mainly in North Western Europe, due to the lack of possibilities for birds to perform natural behaviours and to restricted space. They provide birds with nests to lay eggs in, perches to rest on, and litter material to manipulate and dust-bathe in. Experience and development of the aviary are longer than that of furnished cages, the latter existing in wide spread commercial production only in Sweden as yet. However, according to a new EU-directive in 1999, conventional cages may not be used as a new investment from 2003 and not at all from 2012. Birds in both systems may produce well but the aviaries are less predictable due to irregular outbreaks of flock cannibalism, especially in non beak-trimmed medium heavy brown birds, despite offering the birds litter and plenty of space. The furnished cages try to combine advantages of small group size in cages and reduce disadvantages of poor air condition, and sometimes inferior hygiene, in floor-kept hens. They are still subjected to extensive improvements in details of design e.g. to enhance egg quality. Hence, results may vary considerably between models. In order to maintain a stable social order it is probably vital to retain a moderate group size in furnished cages.