Julia Tomkins Wisner
Spoiler: The cage-free markup isn’t about hens—it’s about profit.
When companies delay their cage-free pledges, they tend to point the finger elsewhere—usually at you. “Shoppers won’t pay for it.” “It’s just too expensive.” “Families can’t afford it.” That’s the narrative. But the receipts tell a different story.
The real production cost difference between caged and cage-free eggs? Just 19 cents a dozen. That’s not a supply chain crisis. It’s a markup strategy.
And what does that 19 cents actually buy? For hens, it means the difference between life in a crowded cage—unable to spread their wings—and life with enough space to move freely, dust bathe, and lay eggs in a nest.
Let’s break down five common myths corporations use to delay going cage-free—and what the data actually shows.
Myth 1: Cage-free eggs break the bank
Cage-free eggs often cost 1 to 2.50 more than conventional eggs at major retailers. But that’s not because they’re wildly more expensive to produce—even with a 25% higher total cost of production, the added cost per dozen is just 19 cents.
In Michigan, where selling eggs from caged hens is illegal, Target charges 2.99 for eggs from cage-free hens—the exact same price as caged eggs in other states. Meanwhile, in Chicago, that same carton runs 4.69. Same product, same supply, different story.
What’s really happening? When cage-free is the only option, companies price it fairly. When it’s one of many, they price it high—because they can get away with marking it up as a luxury item.
Reality check: Retailers are charging more because they can—not because they have to.
Myth 2: Cage-free mandates mean shelling out more
Critics say cage-free laws send prices soaring. But even in states where cage-free is legally required, it raises production costs by just 16–20%. That’s a modest shift—and one many producers were already planning for.
In Nevada, they even hit pause on the state’s cage-free rules. The result? Not much changed. Prices were more influenced by bird flu outbreaks and supply chain pressures than by the law itself.
Reality check: Market forces—not animal welfare policies—have the biggest impact on egg prices.
Myth 3: Consumers won’t pay for cage-free
Surveys consistently show that many shoppers are willing to pay more for higher animal welfare standards. A 2025 study showed that U.S. consumers are especially willing to pay premiums for eggs from hens in less confined systems. These eggs continue to hold strong sales in many grocery chains, often taking up prime shelf space.
Even in states where cage-free is the only option, demand stays strong. Sales don’t disappear. Customers adapt—and the standard shifts.
Reality check: Companies know eggs from cage-free hens sell. That’s why they’re charging more.
Myth 4: Cage-free laws will cause shortages
When egg shelves are empty, cage-free laws often take the blame. But the real culprits are external shocks—like the 2022 bird flu outbreak, which decimated flocks across the US.
Colorado’s cage-free law wasn’t the cause, according to industry leaders. Bill Scebbi, executive director of Colorado Egg Producers, said, “Absolutely not,” when asked if the law was to blame for egg shortages. He pointed instead to the avian flu.
When supply recovered, so did stock and pricing. In states where cage-free is mandatory, egg shelves are full and operational. Farmers adapt. Operations evolve. The sky doesn’t fall.
Reality check: Supply disruptions—not cage-free laws—drive shortages.
Myth 5: Cage-free reforms hurt farmers
Contrary to the “family farms will collapse” narrative, many producers have successfully transitioned to cage-free systems. In states like Washington and California, farmers have used grants, co-ops, and retailer partnerships to upgrade infrastructure and stay competitive.
And while companies often frame this issue around protecting small farms, most eggs come from large-scale operations. USDA data shows that just 0.14% of farms produce over 75% of the country’s eggs—and only 1% of hens live on farms with 100 birds or fewer.
Retailers support cage-free transitions through long-term contracts, which give producers more financial security during the shift. For many, going cage-free isn’t a threat—it’s a path to stability in an industry already dominated by consolidation.
Reality check: Cage-free laws don’t shut farms down. They help build stronger, more stable operations.
What it all comes down to
The egg industry wants the public to believe that ending cages comes at too high a cost. But the truth is: the cost difference is pennies—and the excuses cost lives.
In states where cages are banned, the system works. Retailers adjust. Farmers adapt. Shoppers keep shopping. And hens get the chance to move, stretch, and live without metal bars around them.
At the end of the day, this isn’t about cents. It’s about standards. And no company should be allowed to hide behind price tags while millions of animals suffer in cages. Let’s call on companies to stop making excuses and start making progress to end cages.
