Welfare of Battery Cage Hens in Non-EU Markets

While the EU banned conventional battery cages for laying hens in 2012, conventional battery cages remain legal and dominant in the US, Asia, and most of the developing world, housing billions of hens.

Key Facts

Approximately 4 billion laying hens globally are still housed in conventional battery cages as of 2025
The US houses approximately 300 million laying hens, with 70% still in conventional or enriched colony cages
Battery cages provide 67 square inches per hen in the US, less than a sheet of A4 paper per bird
Hens in battery cages cannot spread their wings, dustbathe, perch, or perform most species-typical behaviours
California Proposition 12 requires all eggs sold in the state to be cage-free, affecting the national supply chain
Corporate cage-free pledges from major US food companies committed to 2025 completion, but many have sought extensions

Welfare Considerations

The conventional battery cage is one of the most thoroughly studied and clearly documented welfare failures in modern agriculture. Hens in conventional cages cannot perform any of their species-typical behaviours, developing osteoporosis from lack of exercise, suffering feather loss from cage wire abrasion, and experiencing chronic frustration of behavioural drives. The case for elimination is not contested among welfare scientists. The primary barriers are economic and political. Consumer purchasing preferences, retailer commitments, and regulatory pressure — particularly through California Proposition 12 — are all driving the transition toward cage-free systems in the US market.

What You Can Do

Purchase only certified cage-free or higher-welfare eggs
Support corporate cage-free pledge accountability and oppose extension requests
Advocate for federal cage-free legislation in the US equivalent to EU standards
Encourage institutional purchasers such as schools and hospitals to commit to cage-free sourcing
Engage with animal welfare organisations campaigning on battery cage elimination