The global movement to phase out conventional battery cages for laying hens represents one of the largest farm animal welfare reforms in history, affecting billions of birds annually.
Battery cage hens cannot spread their wings, dustbathe, nest, perch, or engage in most natural behaviors throughout their entire lives. The reform movement has been one of the most successful in farm animal welfare history - demonstrating that organized corporate campaigns and ballot initiatives can produce regulatory change at scale. The transition to cage-free is not welfare perfection; cage-free systems require better management to prevent elevated mortality and aggression. But the fundamental expansion of behavioral freedom represents a genuine improvement for billions of birds.