Colorado becomes eighth U.S. state to ban cages for egg-laying hens

A new law in Colorado will ensure that all eggs produced and sold in the state are 100% cage-free by 2025. The legislation, which has been in the bill since June, was approved by state legislators and signed by Governor Jared Polis.

Thanks to this measure, nearly 5.5 million egg-laying hens will start living under a cage-free system, which will include an enriched aviary system with physical and psychological benefits such as nests, perches, scratching areas, and areas with dust baths. These conditions will undoubtedly reduce chickens' suffering since they won't be confined in battery cages anymore.

"This is a great example of how egg production will be cage-free worldwide. It is the least that can be done for millions of animals that are sentient beings, according to several scientific studies," said Lucia Gomes, Sinergia Animal's Global Campaigns Director.

An unstoppable transformation

Colorado is the eighth North American state to pass a cage-free law in the past four years, following the experiences of Michigan, Oregon, Washington, Massachusetts, California, Ohio and Rhode Island. This trend was supported by animal protection organizations, consumer demands, and cage-free policies of large companies such as Nestlé, Mondelez International, Unilever, Kraft Heinz, Burger King, and McDonald's. Companies like these are transforming their entire supply chain to end the use of egg-laying hens confined in battery cages in the United States and other countries.

Today, 26% of eggs produced and marketed in the United States are already cage-free, which represents a remarkable growth, since six years ago, it was only 5%. The organizations that led the proposal also celebrated the victory, considering the difficulty of passing new laws in times of coronavirus.

Why "cage free"?

Battery cages are considered one of the cruelest systems in the food industry. Egg-laying hens spend their entire lives in small and dirty cages of the size of an A4 sheet of paper. Hens are kept cramped in groups, which causes them frustration, injuries, feather loss, and the development of painful diseases.

Photo :We Animals