Now is our time to end cages for good across the UK. The UK Governments are jointly consulting on a proposed ban on the caging of hens. 

By taking part in the consultation, you can significantly improve the lives of millions of hens. It should only take around 5 minutes of your time.  

You only need to answer 5 questions, and we have provided a step-by-step guide below. This will help you to respond in favour of a phase out of cages for laying hens, whilst also calling on the Governments to consult on phasing out cages for mother pigs. 

Head to the consultation

Click the button below to head to the consultation webpage. Then scroll down on this blog to begin the first step of the consultation process, using our advice. 

Take me to the consultation

1. Scroll to the bottom of the consultation webpage. You will see a box, outlined in green, titled “Give us your views”. Click on the link in this box.
2. This page is titled Part 1 – Introduction. Scroll to the bottom of this page and click the green “continue” box on the right-hand side.
3. Continue to scroll to the bottom of the webpages and click the green “continue” box until you reach a page titled “About you or your organisation”. 

Step-by-step guidance for each question 

We suggest that you only complete Q8, 11, 12, 13 and 54. You may skip the other questions. 

About you or your organisation 

Fill in as relevant to you. You are responding as an 'individual' for question 4. 

Q8. Do you consider there to be positive welfare outcomes from banning the use of cages for laying hens (including pullets and breeder layers)? If so, what are they? 

We suggest that you tick all the boxes. You may leave the ‘other’ box blank. 

11a. On 1 January 2027, there should be a ban on the installation of new enriched ‘colony’ cages and any other caged systems used for pullets and breeder layers across the laying hen sector. 

We suggest you tick ‘Agree’. 

11b. Please explain your answer 

You may wish to state that a ban should be introduced as soon as possible to prevent such intense suffering of hens. 

12a. A 5-year transition period, beginning with a ban on the installation of new enriched ‘colony’ cages and any other caged systems used for pullets and breeder layers on 1 January 2027 and followed by a complete ban on enriched ‘colony’ cages and any other caged systems used for pullets and breeder layers on 1 January 2032, is appropriate. 

We suggest you tick ‘Disagree - it is too long’. 

12b. Please explain your answer. 

You may wish to note some of the following points:

• We must not delay a ban on cages
• Due to the suffering of animals in all cage systems, a complete ban on cages should come into effect as soon as possible, and by no later than 2030.
• The suffering inflicted upon egg-laying hens in cage systems is a considerable welfare concern.
• The UK cannot seriously regard itself as a nation of animal lovers, nor a leader in animal welfare, while farmed animals remain in cages. 

13a. A ban on conventional ‘battery’ cages on 1 January 2027 for smaller scale commercial units or hobby-keepers with fewer than 350 laying hens is appropriate. 

We suggest that you tick ‘Agree’. 

13b. Please explain your answer. 

We suggest highlighting that the welfare needs of any hen cannot be met in a cage, regardless of the scale of the operation. 

Please click 'no' for Q15 and you will be automatically taken to Q44. You do not need to answer these questions and can click continue until you reach Q54.

54. Please provide any further considerations you feel should be noted when considering this policy proposal. Please explain your answer. 

While we strongly support these proposals for caged hens, we also want to see a consultation on phasing out farrowing crates for sows. Therefore, you may wish to use this section to urge the Governments to consult on phasing out cages for sows.  

You may wish to highlight the following welfare issues:

• Sows are unable to turn around or move beyond lying down and standing up, sometimes with difficulty, as the crate is barely bigger than their own body.
• A sow in a crate cannot build a nest for her piglets, which she is strongly motivated to do, nor interact with or care for her piglets (beyond allowing them to suckle through bars).
• Sows may also get painful sores from lying on a hard surface and knock against the bars as they struggle to stand or lie down.
• Sows will be very stressed and frustrated.
• Piglets also have poorer health and welfare when their mother is in a crate.  

Now click to the final page of the consultation and click ‘Submit response’. Then click here to confirm that you’ve responded to the consultation.  

This helps us track the number of responses, and it also means we won't send you any further emails asking that you complete the consultation. 

Confirm my response