Could Caged Chickens be Happier than Free-Range Ones?

Despite what many may think, a recent study shows that free-range chickens may be living a harder life than those growing up in cages.

According to researchers from the University of Bristol, birds raised in "enriched cages" showed fewer fractures, lower mortality, lower stress levels and less damage when pecking each other compared to free-range birds

Lead study author Professor Christine Nicol of the University believes that this may be explained prey and weather conditions that could harm or even kill birds living outside.

According to the Telegraph, "enriched cages" can accommodate flocks of anywhere from 70 to 80 birds living in stacked enclosures. All of the birds are also provided with access to food, scratching posts and water.

Researchers note that free-range hens, on the other hand, may be exposed to harsh weather conditions and even foxes that could potentially kill them.

"I'm not saying it's great, there's still a lot of room for improvement but the birds have space, they've got a little perch, they've got thigns they can scratch on," Nicol said. "And the welfare measures that we take show that these birds had fewer fractures, they had much lower mortality, they had lower stress levels, they did less damaging pecking to each other than the birds on smaller-range systems."

BBC notes that approximately 50 percent of hens in the United Kingdom are currently housed in enriched cages that contain more space for birds, including a perch and nest area.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture regulation notes that hens in the United States are raised for egg production both indoors and in cages, as well.

Statistics from United Egg Producers note that there are roughly 279 million laying hens in the United States with as little as 5 percent of them not laying eggs in confined cages.