The share of cage-free eggs in the US jumped from 38.7% to 45.3% in just nine months of 2025, saving approximately 20 million hens from life in a cage. This represents the fastest shift since animal advocates began campaigning to ban battery cages.
In a remarkable acceleration of animal welfare progress, the share of cage-free eggs in the United States jumped from 38.7 percent in December 2024 to 45.3 percent by September 2025 — saving approximately 20 million hens from life in a cage. This represents the fastest shift toward cage-free egg production since animal advocates began campaigning to ban battery cages decades ago.
Battery cages — small wire enclosures that confine hens so tightly they cannot spread their wings, turn around, or engage in natural behaviors — have long been one of the most criticized practices in industrial agriculture. Each cage typically houses 5-10 hens in a space smaller than a standard sheet of paper per bird.
“7 percent in December 2024 to 45.”
The rapid shift has been driven by a combination of state laws, corporate commitments, and changing consumer preferences. Several US states have now passed laws requiring all eggs sold within their borders to come from cage-free systems. Major food companies, restaurants, and retailers have made pledges to source only cage-free eggs, creating market pressure that reverberates throughout the supply chain.
The economic dynamics have also shifted. As more producers convert to cage-free systems, economies of scale are reducing the cost premium. The price difference between cage-free and conventional eggs has narrowed significantly, making the choice easier for price-conscious consumers.
Animal welfare scientists have documented that cage-free systems, while not perfect, allow hens to express more natural behaviors — including walking, perching, dust-bathing, and nesting — leading to better physical and psychological welfare outcomes.
The 20 million hens freed from cages in just nine months represents real, measurable progress. At this rate, advocates believe the US could reach majority cage-free egg production within the next few years, fundamentally transforming one of the largest sectors of animal agriculture and improving the lives of hundreds of millions of hens.
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