The global phase-out of battery cages for laying hens represents one of the biggest wins in animal welfare history, but enriched cages and cage-free systems each carry their own welfare trade-offs.
The cage-free transition in egg production is a genuine welfare improvement but not an endpoint. Cage-free systems require good management to avoid welfare problems including pecking injuries and disease. Pasture-raised systems with outdoor access provide the highest welfare outcomes but represent a small fraction of production. Understanding these nuances helps advocates push for continued improvement rather than accepting minimum standards as sufficient.