The Open Wing Alliance (OWA), a global coalition of more than 80 animal protection organizations across 63 countries, has just released a report on global cage-free progress—and the results are promising.
The report finds that 88% of all cage-free egg commitments with deadlines of 2021 or earlier have been fulfilled. This shows that, overwhelmingly, companies are following through on their commitments to end the cruel practice of confining egg-laying hens to cages. For countless hens around the world, this represents an important shift in their wellbeing.
How does a cage-free future help chickens?
Around the world, more than 6 billion hens are still kept in tiny, restrictive cages that prevent them from engaging in natural behaviors like taking dust baths, or even stretching their wings. In the US alone, around 215 million hens (about 66% of egg-laying hens) are kept in battery cages which barely offer more space than a filing cabinet drawer, too small for chickens to move freely. In such extreme confinement, chickens may endure painful injuries like torn feathers or broken bones.
That’s why the work of global changemakers like you, in partnership with the OWA, is so essential to the animal welfare movement. By sending consistent, clear messages to companies profiting off animal abuse, we show corporations that animal welfare matters, and their customers are paying attention.
Why does corporate accountability matter?
It’s one thing to promise to meet animal welfare standards, and it’s another thing entirely to fulfill those promises. Some companies make pledges to end the use of cages for chickens in their food chains, but fail to provide transparency around how or when they’ll follow through.
But empty promises won’t empty cages, and consumers deserve to know the truth about where the egg products they purchase are coming from. So when the OWA reports that 88% of over 2,300 major food corporations follow through with cage-free egg commitments, that’s something to celebrate.
Changing the world for chickens
Together, animal advocates like you are shaping a more compassionate world for chickens. By sending emails, signing petitions, and showing your support, you are part of a growing and powerful movement. Through showing food companies that how they treat egg-laying hens in their supply chains matters, your dedication is making a difference.
That momentum is evident in the OWA report, which shows that more than 2,300 corporate cage-free policies to date have been secured around the world, 982 of which had deadlines of 2021 or earlier. Companies that fulfilled their US cage-free commitments in 2021 include food conglomerates Focus Brands and Groupe Le Duff, which are the parent companies of restaurants like Cinnabon, Auntie Anne’s, Jamba, and Brioche Doree. Globally, companies that have fulfilled their commitments include Danone, Lindt & Sprüngli, and Barilla.
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The 2022 OWA Fulfillment Report proves that now more than ever before, companies around the world are listening to consumer demands and taking action to confine cruel cages to the past.
—Hannah Surowinski, Global Corporate Relations Coordinator, The Humane League
Just 4% of companies that made the pledge are not yet fully cage-free, though are publicly reporting on their progress, while only 8% are not yet publicly reporting on the status of their transition.
These statistics illustrate the growing momentum toward a cage-free future as more and more companies transition away from the cruel practice of caging hens. This momentum is increasingly bolstered by stronger legislation around the world, including bans on cages in ten US states and a ban on cages in the EU by 2027.
How can I help?
Despite this incredible progress, a small minority of companies are failing to report on their progress towards cage-free and leaving their customers in the dark. Together, we can advocate for chickens by amplifying our message against the use of battery cages in corporate supply chains.
Join thousands of activists around the globe in demanding that corporations that profit off of animal abuse change their policies: sign up for our Fast Action Network today.
Alexandria Beck
