Farm Animal Welfare

Hen Welfare in Furnished Cage Systems

Furnished cages offer more space than battery cages but remain controversial as they still restrict many natural behaviors of hens.

Key Facts

Furnished cages provide nest boxes, perches, and scratch areas unlike battery cages
Space allowance is still lower than barn or free-range systems
Keel bone fractures remain common even in furnished cage systems
Feather pecking is reduced compared to overcrowded barn systems
EU legislation requires furnished cages as minimum standard since 2012

Welfare Considerations

Furnished cages represent an incremental improvement over battery cages but do not fully meet hens' behavioral needs. The ongoing transition to cage-free systems in many markets reflects growing recognition of this limitation.

What You Can Do

Choose cage-free or free-range eggs from welfare-certified farms
Advocate for legislative bans on all cage systems for laying hens
Support cage-free transition commitments from food companies