The welfare of laying hens varies dramatically across production systems, from battery cages to free-range, and consumer choices and policy advocacy can drive significant improvements.
Laying hens are highly motivated to perform natural behaviors including dust bathing, perching, nesting, and foraging. Battery cage systems prevent all of these, causing severe frustration and psychological distress. Welfare improvements along the spectrum from enriched cages to genuine outdoor access all represent real gains for billions of birds. The cage-free commitments of major food companies represent significant but incomplete progress.