The global transition from cage to cage-free egg production is delivering welfare improvements, but the transition process itself creates specific welfare challenges that require management.
The cage-free transition represents genuine welfare progress, but its implementation quality determines whether hens experience real improvement. Hens moved from conventional cages to aviary systems must learn to navigate multi-tier structures, find water and food at heights, and use nest boxes — none of which they have previous experience with. During the learning period, smothering incidents, keel bone fractures from poorly managed descents, and failure to access resources all create welfare risks. Well-designed aviary systems with appropriate training protocols, stocking management during the adaptation period, and ongoing monitoring achieve the welfare gains that the transition is meant to deliver. Poorly implemented cage-free systems can fail to improve and may even worsen some welfare outcomes.