Poultry

Battery Hen to Cage-Free: Progress and Remaining Problems

The cage-free transition is the largest animal welfare reform in history, but cage-free farming still falls far short of meeting chicken welfare needs.

Key Facts

Over 100 major food companies have committed to cage-free egg supply chains by 2025
The US still has over 200 million hens in conventional cages
Cage-free barns may house 20,000+ hens with 1 square foot per bird
Hens in cage-free systems have higher rates of feather pecking and mortality
Enriched colony cages banned in the EU give more space than conventional cages but less than cage-free

Welfare Considerations

Conventional battery cages give hens less than one A4 paper page of space for their entire lives. They cannot spread wings, perch, dust bathe, or express any natural behavior. Cage-free systems improve some dimensions while introducing new problems. True welfare requires outdoor access, perches, litter for dust bathing, and manageable flock sizes. Certified humane or organic with outdoor access represents the current best commercial standard.

What You Can Do

Choose eggs from certified humane, organic, or pasture-raised sources
Advocate for your food retailer and restaurant to complete cage-free transitions
Support legislation for enriched colony cage standards as a minimum floor
Reduce egg consumption and explore plant-based egg alternatives
Donate to poultry welfare research organizations improving farm standards