Egg production systems vary enormously in the welfare outcomes they provide for hens. Understanding what different production systems mean for animal wellbeing helps consumers make informed choices.
Laying hen welfare is one of the most studied areas of farm animal science, and the evidence is clear: hens in cage systems — even enriched cages — have significantly worse welfare outcomes than those in well-managed barn or free-range systems. However, even free-range systems face challenges: outdoor space is often underused due to social fear, keel bone fractures from perch-jumping remain endemic across all systems, and beak trimming is still practised in many countries. The most welfare-positive eggs come from organic or higher-welfare certified free-range systems with genuinely enriched environments, appropriate flock sizes and effective management of feather pecking.