Colony cages provide more space than battery cages but remain controversial for hen welfare.
Colony cages provide modest welfare improvements over battery cages — some movement, nest box access, and perches — but remain profoundly limited environments. The space per hen remains insufficient for normal behaviour, nest boxes may be inadequate for simultaneous use by all hens, and dust bathing occurs on wire rather than litter. Colony cages represent a welfare improvement but not a welfare solution.