Enriched Colony Cages for Laying Hens: Welfare Assessment and Reform

Enriched colony cages replaced conventional battery cages in the EU but remain welfare-limited, with growing evidence supporting cage-free systems for better hen welfare.

Key Facts

Conventional battery cages were banned in the EU from 2012 in favour of enriched cages
Enriched cages provide a minimum 750cm2 per hen, nest box, perch, and scratching area
Studies show that hens in enriched cages show fewer welfare indicators than cage-free systems
Fear test scores, bone strength, and behaviour diversity are all better in cage-free systems
The EU is considering a full cage ban by 2027 following a citizen initiative

Welfare Considerations

Enriched colony cages represent an improvement over conventional battery cages but fall significantly short of cage-free systems for hen welfare. Hens in enriched cages show restricted movement, limited social choice, and reduced ability to perform natural behaviours including dust bathing in appropriate substrate. Bone fracture rates from osteoporosis remain high. The scientific consensus increasingly supports cage-free or aviary systems as necessary for meaningful welfare improvement for laying hens.

What You Can Do

Choose eggs from cage-free, free-range, or organic production systems
Support companies committed to 100% cage-free egg sourcing by clear deadlines
Advocate for your national government to support EU cage-free legislation
Write to food businesses and retailers requesting cage-free egg sourcing commitments
Support organisations campaigning for a complete cage ban in European egg production