Furnished cages for laying hens were introduced as a welfare compromise after the EU ban on conventional battery cages. Their welfare outcomes compared to alternative systems remain contested.
Furnished cages represent a genuine welfare improvement over conventional battery cages, but fall well short of providing the behavioral freedom that laying hens need for good welfare. The policy debate has moved beyond furnished versus battery to cage-free versus caged entirely. Well-managed cage-free systems — with adequate perching, nesting, and foraging opportunities — offer better welfare potential, though management quality remains decisive. Consumer and retailer pressure continues to drive industry movement toward cage-free.