Each year around 12 billion eggs are consumed in the United Kingdom. These eggs come from specifically bred laying hens that produce up to 250 eggs per year.

Living Conditions

A majority of hens are kept in either free range or caged barns

Age at Death

All laying hens are killed at around 72 weeks old

Free range laying hens

72 weeks

Caged laying hens

72 weeks

Male laying hens

1 hour

Birth

Natural life expectancy

Method of Death

Almost all spent laying hens are put into gas chambers and then their throats are cut

Farming Practices

Male Chick Culling

Male chicks are killed by gassing or blending because they are not useful to the industry

In British farming

99% of chicks born male

Unnatural Egg Output

Hens egg yields are dangerously high due to years of selective breeding

In British farming

Legal

Unsuitable Shed Density

Free range hens are packed into sheds at a rate of up to 13 birds per square meter of space

In British farming

Beak Mutilations

Hens have a portion of their beaks forcibly removed to prevent them pecking each other in confined conditions

In British farming

Bone Fractures

Hens bones deteriorate due to the increased rate of egg production leaching calcium from their bodies

In British farming

Legal

Feather Loss

Hens lose their feathers due to being pecked, stress, parasites and disease

In British farming

Legal

Unsuitable Flock Size

Hens cannot exhibit their natural "pecking order" behaviour because flock sizes are too large

In British farming

Confined Cages

Hens spend their entire lives in small cages with minimal movement and stimulation

In British farming

Poor Outdoor Access

Free range hens outdoor access is limited or poor quality

In British farming

Legal

Vent Prolapses

Hens inner tissues protrude outside of their body due to excessive and large egg production

In British farming

Legal

Early Deaths

Hens die before their allocated 72 weeks of egg production is up

In British farming

Legal

Foot Rot

Hens feet are burnt by faeces that build up on uncleaned floors and surfaces

In British farming

Legal

Unsuitable Transport

Hens are transported during hot temperatures that are known to cause distress and suffering

In British farming

Common during summer

Non-stun Slaughter

Hens throats are cut without first being stunned in an electric water bath or gas chamber

In British farming

Thank you for taking the time to read this page. We believe the exploitation of animals is an important issue and wish to get this message out to as many people as possible.