Enriched colony cages were introduced as a welfare improvement over battery cages, but research shows they still fail to meet laying hen behavioral needs in many important ways.
Enriched colony cage welfare assessment reveals that while they improve on battery cages, they remain significantly welfare-compromising. Perch space per bird is often insufficient for all birds to use simultaneously. Nest boxes shared among many birds create competition and stress. Dust bathing — a high-priority behavioral need for hens — involves bathing in friable substrate, which is unavailable in cage systems regardless of enrichment furnishings. Hens perform vacuum dust bathing (going through the motions without substrate), a recognized welfare indicator of behavioral frustration. Bone strength remains poorer in cage hens due to limited movement. Many global food companies have committed to cage-free supply chains by specific dates, reflecting growing recognition that enriched cages are an insufficient welfare standard.