- Support the “Free Hens, Free Cages” campaign
Declaration for Free Hens campaign
- “I support the ethical treatment of animals, reject cages, and restore the freedom for hens to spread their wings.”
- Ensure basic animal welfare for hens and immediately ban the construction of new battery cage facilities.
- Upgrade the industry to modernize and complete the transformation towards hen-friendly farming by 2030.
- Promote animal-friendly farming through food and agriculture education, establishing a sustainable food system.
Cruelly Produced “Cage Eggs”
Eggs play a vital role in our lives. However, you may not be aware of the cruel conditions of the “battery cage system” used for hens. In these cramped cages, approximately the size of an A4 sheet of paper, 2 to 4 chickens are confined together, eating, drinking, and even defecating within the cage. The narrow space causes them to trample on each other, and most chickens never set foot on the ground or have the opportunity to stretch their wings and groom their feathers. Forced to lay eggs continuously throughout their lives, these hens are unable to exhibit any natural behaviors.
In Taiwan, around 42 million hens are raised each year, producing 7.7 billion eggs, with 85% of hens being raised in cages. Such cruel production method, which treats hens as mere “egg-laying machines,” not only disregards their welfare needs but also contributes to issues such as food safety and the spread of animal diseases like avian influenza.
Due to public health and animal welfare concerns, many countries have been phasing out hen battery cages. The European Union, for instance, banned the use of cages for hens in 2012 and mandated that all commercially sold eggs must be clearly labeled with the farming system used, such as “free-range,” “barn-raised,” or “organic,” enabling consumers to make ethical choices regarding their food.
World Standards and Definitions for "Ethical Eggs"
• Free-Range: In addition to indoor housing, free-range systems provide outdoor activity space for laying hens. The indoor area includes perches, litter, and nesting boxes, allowing hens to build nests, dustbathe, forage, and scratch.
• Organic: Organic eggs are produced by hens that have access to outdoor areas (free-range) and are fed organic feed. The indoor area includes perches, litter, and nesting boxes, enabling hens to engage in natural behaviors such as nest-building, dustbathing, foraging, and scratching.
• Barn-Raised: Barn-raised eggs refer to eggs produced by hens raised indoors. The indoor area includes perches, litter, and nesting boxes. However, there is no outdoor space provided for the hens.
- Enriched Cage: Enriched cage systems still involve housing hens
in cages, but the cages are larger and include basic amenities such as perches, scratching areas, and nesting boxes.
Abolishing battery cages also contributes to upgrading food safety and the environment
Economic animals, particularly hens in battery cages, do indeed endure hardships. However, while expressing gratitude towards these animals, if we can make slight changes in our consumption habits, it is possible to improve their lives to some extent. The Environment & Animal Society of Taiwan (EAST) has been tirelessly advocating for and actively working towards the abolition of cages for years, so in recent years, we can find many supermarkets have started offering “non-caged, free-range, or barn-raised eggs” that may be slightly more expensive than regular eggs, but they significantly improve the welfare of hens.
The transformation of factory farming into “animal-friendly farming” not only considers animal welfare but also benefits the industry and reduces the environmental burden caused by livestock farming. In the case of eggs, the management of manure from caged hens poses a significant environmental burden. The manure requires exposure and fermentation before removal, often resulting in odor and breeding grounds for flies. It frequently becomes a point of protest from neighboring communities. Upgrading to non-caged systems such as free-range or barn-raised allows hens to use bedding material, naturally ferment and transform the manure through scratching, and generate organic fertilizer in a well-ventilated environment. This contributes to the circular economy of agriculture and livestock. Friendly housing systems for laying hens not only eliminate the problem of foul and sticky manure but also reduce the need for constant manure removal during the rearing period, thereby lowering the risk of disease transmission. Therefore, upgrading egg production not only grants freedom to hens but also improves the environment and food safety.
Taiwan should follow the global trend and expedite legislation soon
The plight of economic animals is not meant to blame farmers or the government. It is just that with social progress, we should be able to find better ways to treat them.
Hens in battery cages experience long-term stress, have weakened immune systems, are prone to illness, and struggle to resist pathogens, leading to the excessive use of antibiotics. In pursuit of a sustainable future, countries worldwide have gradually announced the abolition of battery cages since 1978. This includes the European Union, the United Kingdom, New Zealand, Australia, Israel, several states in the United States, and even Asian countries like South Korea, which enacted laws requiring a minimum of 750cm2 of space per chicken in response to avian influenza outbreaks.
Taiwan is far falling behind the international standards in this regard. According to a 2022 public opinion survey on “Taiwanese attitudes towards the use of animals for economic purposes,” nearly 60% of respondents believe that Taiwan should directly legislate to ban battery cages for hens. The industry’s transformation requires clear policy guidance from the government. Research organizations urge the government to take the lead in prohibiting the construction of new battery cages and implementing medium- to long-term upgrade and transformation plans. These plans should include technical assistance, incentives, and subsidies to ensure the well-being of animals, the environment, farmers, and consumers, collectively creating a mutually beneficial situation.
We can choose “cage-free” ethical eggs
Happy hens are more likely to lay healthy eggs. Hens that are not confined for their entire lives and can exhibit natural behaviors not only reduce the use of antibiotics and animal medication but also contribute to the overall health and quality of eggs. This is why the EAST promote the “Free Hens, Free Cages” campaign from the Mar of 2023.
If you can take a look and sign the petition, write a postcard to the Executive Yuan, we may be able to make a difference and alleviate the hardships faced by hens.
Sign here: “Free Hens, Free Cages” Advocacy Platform
Let’s also support the eggs sold by members of the Ethical Eggs Alliance together in future!
