Starting January 1, 2015, commercial egg farmers in Alberta who replace equipment or build new barns will no longer be allowed to install battery cages.

The phase-out is led by Egg Farmers of Alberta, who, after years of hearing from animal advocates and consumers alike, finally acknowledge that battery cage confinement systems “don’t allow the hens to express all of their natural behaviour.”

While enriched, or colony, cages that will replace battery cages are far from adequate for the animals, it is a step in the right direction.

Alberta becomes the second province, after Manitoba, to take steps towards phasing-out the cruel confinement systems for egg-laying hens. Egg Farmers of Canada encourage other provinces to follow.

Reference:
Alberta egg farmers letting hens spread their wings. CBC News, Sept. 15, 2014.