A future without cage egg cruelty is possible
Image: Animally | Open Wing Alliance | We Animals
Every hen deserves the freedom to spread her wings, walk freely, and express the natural behaviours that bring her comfort and joy. She deserves a place to perch, room to dust bathe to keep her feathers clean, forage through litter, and lay her eggs in a secluded nesting box.
That’s the future Australians overwhelmingly support, and it’s within reach – we just need our governments to act.
Millions of hens trapped in battery cages never experience these freedoms
The Open Wing Alliance has just released the world’s largest investigation into cage egg cruelty. The investigation contains undercover footage from 37 countries, Australia included, which highlights that hens are suffering the same fate all over the globe.
Crammed into barren cages, unable to engage in even the most basic natural behaviours.
Hens are forced to eat, sleep, and lay eggs in the same cramped space, often stepping on each other due to severe overcrowding. Many show signs of extreme physical and psychological stress – including feather loss, raw and bleeding skin, prolapsed cloacae, deformed claws, footpad sores, and restricted movement. They will only leave the cage when they are no longer valuable to the egg industry, and they are killed.
Australia is no exception.
In Australia, nearly 1 in 3 hens are still trapped in battery cages. Just like previous investigations, the new footage from an Australian farm shows hens living in a constant state of misery, unable to express all their natural instincts. They are forced to live in squalid conditions, with cages, floors, and conveyor belts covered in faeces, feathers, and dust. Hens can be seen with missing feathers, standing on top of one another, with no space to rest peacefully.
The world's largest investigation into the industrialised global egg industry.
“Even after decades working in animal protection, the cruelty of battery cages still shocks me, and this new footage is no different. Hens crammed into wire cages for their entire adult lives, unable to perch, dust bathe, forage, or lay their eggs in peace – all things that are intrinsic to being a hen.
This is not just poor welfare, it’s a complete denial of who these animals are. We’ve known for years that this system causes suffering. It’s time for state and territory Ministers to do what they promised and legislate an end to battery cages.”
Australians are ready for a cage-free future, so why are governments stalling?
Public support for ending this cruel practice is strong – with nearly eight in ten in favour. In response, major retailers, Coles, Woolworths and Aldi have already committed to phasing out the sale of cage eggs by 2025, and other food businesses have already made the switch to cage-free products.
Despite this support, our governments are stalling. In 2023, all state and territory Agriculture Ministers agreed to update animal welfare laws to phase out battery cages as part of the revised national poultry standards. Two years on, only Western Australia has delivered on that promise*.
This failure to prioritise animal welfare not only undermines public trust, but it also prolongs needless cruelty and highlights serious accountability gaps in our animal welfare system.
*The ACT phased out battery cages in 2014.
Hens inside crammed wire cages on an Australian farm.
Credit: Animally | Open Wing Alliance | We Animals
It’s time for state governments to legislate the phase out with clear timelines.
We need action, not more promises. Western Australia has led the way, and it’s time for the rest of the states to follow suit.
Legislating the phase out will not only demonstrate a commitment to improving animal welfare, but it will also provide the industry with certainty and a clear path to transition away from cages in line with public and market expectations.
Lend your voice to hens to end battery cages.
Political pressure and community engagement are critical for driving government action. While the Alliance will continue to meet with politicians and hold them accountable, having public support is invaluable. That’s why we’re asking you to send a message to your state or territory Agriculture Minister today.
We’ve drafted a letter to help you get started. We recommend that you personalise the message before hitting send for greater impact.