Conventional battery cages for laying hens are banned in the EU, UK, and several other countries, but remain legal in the US and many parts of the world. Campaign progress is significant.
Conventional battery cages provide around 550cm2 per hen - less than a sheet of A4 paper. Hens cannot spread their wings, engage in dust bathing, perch normally, or express most natural behaviours. This represents a fundamental denial of basic welfare needs that has been recognised in European law. Despite this, the majority of the world's egg-laying hens remain in battery cages. Corporate cage-free commitments from major food companies have created market pressure that exceeds legislative requirements in some jurisdictions.