3 Reasons Why We Must End Cages for UK Hens
- Over 7 million hens in the UK are confined in cages every year. Shockingly, each hen has about the same space as an A4 piece of paper!
- Caged hens can’t dustbathe to clean themselves, and are severely restricted in their ability to move around, forage and stretch their wings. These are all natural behaviours essential for their physical and mental wellbeing.
- Many EU countries have already banned the use of cages for hens or have made significant steps. Enriched cages are banned in Austria, Germany will be cage-free by 2026, the Czech Republic by 2027 and Slovenia by 2029. If these countries can commit to ending the cage age for hens, so can we.
It's time to draw the line on caged hens. Please, send this email to the UK Government, asking them to End the Cage Age for UK hens.
Dear Secretary of State Reynolds and Minister Eagle,
I am writing as a concerned citizen and supporter of Compassion in World Farming to urge you to take decisive action to end the use of cages for laying hens in the United Kingdom.
Despite widespread public opposition to caged farming, and voluntary commitments from major retailers to go cage-free by the end of 2025, around 7 million hens in the UK are still confined to enriched cages that severely restrict their natural behaviours, including perching at height, dustbathing, foraging and even stretching their wings. These systems compromise both their physical and psychological wellbeing and must be phased out.
The UK is a self-described ‘nation of animal lovers’ and has long claimed to be a leader in animal welfare. Now is the time to reaffirm that leadership by legislating a complete ban on the use of cages for laying hens. Countries across Europe - including Luxembourg, Austria, and Switzerland - have already implemented bans, with Germany, Czech Republic and Slovenia following soon. The British public overwhelmingly supports higher welfare standards, and many retailers have already made significant progress toward cage-free supply chains while a number are already 100% cage-free.
I respectfully ask that you introduce legislation to phase out all forms of caged housing for laying hens, with a clear and enforceable timeline.
Ending the use of cages is not only a moral imperative - it is a necessary step toward a more sustainable, humane, and progressive food system.
Thank you for your attention to this urgent matter. I look forward to your response and to seeing the UK take bold action for farmed animal welfare.
