Industry standards allow hens to be confined in cages and do not require nest boxes, perches, or dust-bathing areas. Humane Farm Animal Care does not permit this kind of confinement because it disrupts the birds’ abilities to engage in natural behaviors and can contribute to bone weakness and footpad injury. Furthermore, the resulting lack of space does not allow birds to escape aggression from other hens.
For more information, see Humane Farm Animal Care Standards, Egg Laying Hens Part 3: Environment, where it is stated: “The environment in which hens are kept must take into account their welfare needs and be designed to protect them from physical and thermal discomfort, fear, and distress, and allow them to perform their natural behavior. All Cages type systems such as battery cages, furnished or enriched cages, as well as aviary systems that are designed to confine birds such as lock back cages that would be open during the day but closed at night, are prohibited. In aviary systems, all hens must have access to all levels of the housing system at all times.”
This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience.
Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. These cookies do not store any personal information.
Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website.
Cage-Free
Cages Are Prohibited.
Industry standards allow hens to be confined in cages and do not require nest boxes, perches, or dust-bathing areas. Humane Farm Animal Care does not permit this kind of confinement because it disrupts the birds’ abilities to engage in natural behaviors and can contribute to bone weakness and footpad injury. Furthermore, the resulting lack of space does not allow birds to escape aggression from other hens.
For more information, see Humane Farm Animal Care Standards, Egg Laying Hens Part 3: Environment, where it is stated: “The environment in which hens are kept must take into account their welfare needs and be designed to protect them from physical and thermal discomfort, fear, and distress, and allow them to perform their natural behavior. All Cages type systems such as battery cages, furnished or enriched cages, as well as aviary systems that are designed to confine birds such as lock back cages that would be open during the day but closed at night, are prohibited. In aviary systems, all hens must have access to all levels of the housing system at all times.”
Click here to see a complete list of all Humane Farm Animal Care Standards.