Why are hens sometimes kept in wire cages on commercial egg farms?

In commercial animal husbandry, hens are kept in wire cages primarily to optimize production efficiency and bird health management. This system allows for the use of sloped cage floors, which enable eggs to roll into a collection area, facilitating highly mechanized gathering.12

The use of wire cages offers several operational and welfare-related advantages:

• Disease and Parasite Control: Confinement helps reduce the spread of diseases and parasites among the flock.2
• Behavioral Management: Caging helps control cannibalistic behaviors, such as feather or toe picking, which can occur in larger groups.2
• Resource Efficiency: Cages lower feeding requirements and allow for improved culling of unproductive birds.2
• Space and Labor: By stacking cages in multiple tiers, producers can significantly reduce the space required for housing, while automation reduces the labor needed for feeding, watering, and cleaning.12

While these methods prioritize efficiency and output, the ethical treatment of animals remains a critical consideration in modern poultry farming, as producers balance high-density management with the need to avoid overcrowding and stress.2