Consumers will no longer be able to buy free-range eggs in the UK from Monday.
The birds have not be been allowed outdoors since November over fears of avian flu outbreaks.
Any eggs that will be sold in shops will have to have a sticker or label on it saying they are "barn eggs" - which is to explain they have been produced by hens housed indoors.
There were more than 80 reported outbreaks of avian flu this winter in England as officials said it was the "largest-ever outbreak of avian flu”.
The UK government had ordered that birds reared for meat and eggs need to be kept indoors since November to reduce the risk of outbreaks.
This means that because they have been indoors for so long the birds' eggs can no longer be labelled free-range.
This rule applies to all birds.
Farmers were hoping the government were going to lift the housing order next week but after more avian flu outbreaks it is remaining in place.
Suffolk-based egg producer Daniel Brown, who has more than 40,000 free-range hens, says they are coping well indoors.
He told the Guardian : "We’ve given them extra things in the shed-like hay and grit to give them things to peck at and keep them amused.”
“A chicken won’t be bothered about not going outside in December and January, but when it’s nice in May they’ll want to be out late into the evening."
He says he hopes the order is lifted once the weather starts to warm up.
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Avian flu outbreaks have spread across Europe overwinter as France is trialling a potential vaccine.
However, it has proven tricky because of the numerous strains.
Some countries have banned importing poultry meat from countries that vaccinate birds.
A spokesperson for the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs said: “The 16-week grace period we allowed for free-range eggs has now been exceeded, and eggs must now be marketed as ‘barn eggs’. We have worked closely with the sector and retailers to implement these changes as smoothly as possible.”
The British Retail Consortium said supermarkets would be providing signage to explain the change to consumers, but “when the current measures are lifted, eggs will go back to being free-range”.
Aimee Mahony, the National Farmers’ Union’s chief poultry adviser, said: “Shoppers may notice different labels on egg packs explaining the eggs have been laid by hens temporarily housed to protect their health and welfare.
“Once the risk levels have reduced and the housing measures have been lifted by Defra, birds will be able to go outside again.”
The Mirror contacted Defra for a comment.
