Farm Animals

Farmed Hen Colony Cage Welfare

Colony cages (formerly enriched cages) replaced barren battery cages in the EU in 2012 but provide minimal improvement in welfare, and a transition to cage-free systems is increasingly demanded by retailers and consumers.

Key Facts

Colony cages provide 750 cm2 per bird: marginally more than an A4 sheet of paper
They include a small nest box, perch and scratch area but access is limited by group size
Studies show 50-60% of birds in colony cages show keel bone fractures
Major retailers including M&S and Waitrose have committed to cage-free egg supply chains

Welfare Considerations

Colony cage hens have insufficient space to move, fly or express normal social behaviour. Perch access in large colony groups is competitive, with subordinate individuals unable to reach perches. The small nest boxes are contested by multiple hens simultaneously, causing social stress. The welfare difference between colony cages and barren battery cages is marginal; neither meets minimum standards for hen welfare.

What You Can Do

Choose free-range, barn or organic eggs rather than colony cage eggs
Check egg codes: 1=free-range, 2=barn, 3=colony cage, 0=organic
Urge food businesses to commit to cage-free eggs in their supply chains
Support the European Citizens Initiative for a cage-free EU farming system