Battery Cage Hens and Welfare Reform

Battery cages confine egg-laying hens in spaces smaller than a sheet of paper, causing severe welfare deprivation for billions of birds globally.

Key Facts

Traditional battery cages give each hen approximately 67 square inches of space
Over 300 million hens in the US are still housed in conventional or enriched cages
Caged hens cannot spread their wings, dust bathe, perch, or engage in natural behaviors
Bone fractures from osteoporosis are extremely common in battery cage hens
Over 30 countries and 10 US states have banned conventional battery cages

Welfare Considerations

Battery cages are considered by animal welfare scientists to be among the most welfare-compromising farming practices ever devised. The complete inability to perform basic natural behaviors causes chronic frustration and suffering. Enriched cages provide marginally more space and some amenities but still severely restrict movement and natural behavior. Cage-free systems provide far better welfare outcomes, though they present their own challenges. Scientific consensus strongly supports phasing out cage confinement for laying hens.

What You Can Do

Buy only cage-free or higher welfare eggs
Encourage restaurants, hotels, and food companies to commit to cage-free egg sourcing
Advocate for your state or country to ban battery cages
Support ballot initiatives restricting extreme confinement in your region
Donate to organizations campaigning for laying hen welfare reform