Farm Animals

Battery Hen Welfare in Non-EU Markets

Conventional battery cages that were banned in the EU in 2012 remain legal and widely used across Asia, the Americas, and much of the developing world, confining billions of hens in conditions causing severe welfare harm.

Key Facts

Over 70% of global egg production still comes from caged hens
Conventional battery cages provide approximately 67 square centimeters per bird — less than a sheet of A4 paper
Hens in battery cages cannot spread their wings, dustbathe, perch, or nest
Bone fractures are widespread due to calcium depletion from laying and lack of exercise
Enriched colony cages provide marginally more space but still restrict most natural behaviors

Welfare Considerations

Battery cage hens are unable to perform any of the behaviors central to normal chicken life — wing spreading, dustbathing, perching, nesting. The spatial restriction is so extreme that normal locomotion is impossible. Bone fractures from calcium loss affect the majority of laying hens over the course of their careers. The scale of battery cage egg production represents one of the largest ongoing animal welfare problems by individual count globally.

What You Can Do

Choose cage-free, free-range, or certified welfare eggs
Advocate for your country or state to adopt cage-free legislation
Support retailers that have committed to cage-free egg supply chains
Raise awareness among consumers in countries where cage-free labeling is unclear
Donate to global campaigns working for cage-free transitions in major egg-producing countries