Ever wondered what 'cage-free' or 'pasture-raised' actually means? Walk through four different farm environments and see for yourself.
Based on USDA standards and animal welfare research
Movement: Arrow Keys or WASD
Natural Behaviors: Q, E, F, P, N, G, R, T
Stress Behaviors: V, C
Think about the space you had, what behaviors you could perform, and how crowded it felt.
Globally, what proportion of laying hens live in conditions?
Here's the complete picture of how laying hens live around the world:
Now that you understand the conditions hens face, discover what it takes to help them escape battery cages—and if you can help them today.
Space Requirements:
• Battery Cage: United Egg Producers Animal Husbandry Guidelines (67 sq inches minimum for white layers, 76 sq inches for brown layers)
• Cage-Free: United Egg Producers Guidelines (1.0-1.5 sq ft per hen depending on system type)
• Free-Range: USDA requires outdoor access but does not specify square footage. Certified Humane standard provides 2 sq ft outdoor access minimum.
• Pasture-Raised: Certified Humane standard (108 sq ft outdoor minimum = 1000 birds per 2.5 acres)
Statistics (as of 2024-2025):
• US Data: USDA Agricultural Marketing Service, United Egg Producers. Cage-free percentage reached approximately 45-46% in 2024-2025, with battery cages at ~54-56%.
• Global Data (2024): International Egg Commission, WATTPoultry global surveys estimate ~84-90% of hens globally remain in cage systems.
Animal Welfare Research: Scientific Veterinary Committee (EU), Welfare Footprint Institute
Now that you've experienced these conditions firsthand, let's explore the real cost of improving animal welfare.
How much would you be willing to pay to spare one laying hen from living its entire life (approximately 1.5 years) in a battery cage and instead allow it to live in cage-free conditions?
Think about the differences you experienced: the inability to spread wings, no nest boxes, extreme confinement vs. the ability to move around (though still crowded), access to perches and nesting areas.
What's this hen's future worth to you?