Battery Cage Elimination Progress and Welfare

The global movement to eliminate battery cages for laying hens represents one of the most significant farm animal welfare reforms of the past century.

Key Facts

Conventional battery cages confine hens to approximately 67 square centimetres — less than an A4 sheet of paper
The EU banned conventional battery cages in 2012 after a decade-long phase-out period
Over 30 US states have passed cage-free legislation or ballot initiatives
Major food companies including McDonalds and Walmart have made cage-free commitments
Approximately 300 million hens globally are still kept in conventional battery cages

Welfare Considerations

Battery cage elimination is the paradigmatic large-scale farm animal welfare reform — demonstrating that sustained advocacy, corporate campaigning, and legislative change can improve conditions for hundreds of millions of animals. The welfare case against battery cages is overwhelming: hens cannot spread their wings, dust bathe, nest, or perform any natural behaviour. The welfare case for cage-free systems, while not perfect, is substantially better. The progress achieved in Europe and parts of North America demonstrates what is possible when welfare science, advocacy, corporate responsibility, and legislative reform align. Completing the global elimination of conventional battery cages for laying hens remains one of the clearest welfare priorities in farm animal advocacy.

What You Can Do

Choose cage-free, free-range, or organic eggs in your purchasing decisions
Support corporate campaigns asking food businesses to commit to cage-free sourcing
Advocate for battery cage bans in jurisdictions where they remain legal
Donate to organisations working on battery cage elimination globally