By Josie December 8th, 2023
Battery cages, unfortunately a standard in many egg farms, are small wire cages where hens spend their entire lives.
These cages are so cramped that the birds cannot stretch their wings or engage in natural behaviors.
Chickens suffer feather loss, skin abrasions, and a host of other health issues. Also, the lack of movement also causes severe muscle and bone weaknesses.
Since they cannot lay eggs and are not bred for meat, they are often killed shortly after hatching.
In the video, we get to witness a group of hens, recently rescued from an egg farm, as they encounter snow for the first time.
Their tentative steps and curious pecks at the unfamiliar white landscape symbolize more than just a new experience; they represent a newfound freedom.
These hens form part of a group of 3,000 saved from being gassed. At last, these birds are discovering a world beyond the cramped, restrictive cages of their past.
A happy chicken is one that can exhibit natural behaviors like foraging, dust bathing, and roosting.
Beyond these basic needs, chickens also need sufficient social interactions as they are highly social animals.