Cage-free program
The Cage-Free Program at the African Institute for Animal Welfare is dedicated to improving the lives of egg-laying hens and other farmed birds across Africa by advocating for the transition from battery cages to higher-welfare, cage-free systems.
“There’s nothing more beautiful than the way the ocean refuses to stop kissing the shoreline, no matter how many times it’s sent away.”
— Sarah Kay
Driven by scientific evidence, compassion and a commitment to sustainable farming, the program works to end the widespread use of extreme confinement in poultry farming and to promote more humane, healthy and environmentally sound alternatives.
In many African countries, egg production is growing rapidly to meet increasing demand. Unfortunately, this growth is often accompanied by the expansion of industrial battery cage systems where hens are kept in small, overcrowded cages with no room to walk, spread their wings or express natural behaviors. These conditions severely compromise animal welfare leading to physical injuries, chronic stress and behavioral deprivation.
Our Cage-Free Program addresses these challenges through a combination of field research, industry collaboration, public education and policy reform.
Scientific Research and Data-Driven Solutions
We conduct field assessments and partner with veterinary experts and animal welfare scientists to document the welfare impacts of battery cages and evaluate the benefits of cage-free systems.
Our research informs the development of localized, practical and scalable cage-free models suited to African climates,
markets and farming conditions.We also gather data on consumer attitudes; economic feasibility and public health risks associated with different egg production systems.
Engaging Farmers and the Poultry Industry
We work directly with farmers, poultry cooperatives and agribusinesses to supporttheir transition to cage-free housing.This includes offering technical training, resource materials and hands-on support to help producers adopt improvedmanagement practices that prioritize animal welfare while maintainingproductivity.
We also collaborate with feed suppliers, veterinary service providersand equipment companies to ensure the availability of affordable, welfare-friendlysolutions.
Institutional and Corporate Outreach
The program engages food retailers, restaurants, hotels, schools and other institutions to encourage cage-free procurement policies. By building partnerships with influential buyers and helping them understand the ethical and economic value of cage-free sourcing, we are creating market demand that drives industrychange. We also recognize and publicly celebrate companies that commit tosourcing only cage-free eggs, inspiring others to follow.
Policy Advocacy and Legal Reform
We advocate for animal welfare laws and poultry regulations that phase out battery
cages and establish minimum welfare standards for egg-laying hens. This includes
working with government ministries, standards agencies and regional bodies to
influence agricultural policy, animal health legislation and farm inspection
protocols.
Our goal is to embed the protection of farmed birds into national
frameworks in a way that is enforceable, evidence-based and aligned with broader
sustainable development goals.
Public Education and Consumer Awareness
Through educational campaigns, community dialogues and media engagement, we
raise awareness about the welfare issues associated with battery cages and the
benefits of cage-free systems. We empower consumers to make informed,
compassionate choices by promoting clear egg labeling, sharing stories from cage-
free farms and engaging religious and cultural leaders in animal welfare
conversations.
Promoting Equity and Local Innovation
We understand that small-scale farmers face unique barriers to change. Our
program is especially committed to supporting rural and women-led farms in
adopting humane locally appropriate cage-free systems. We encourage innovation
by investing in farmer-led pilot projects and showcasing success stories that can be
replicated in other regions.
By challenging the expansion of cruel farming systems and promoting ethical,
sustainable alternatives, the Cage-Free Program works to ensure a future where
egg-laying hens in Africa are treated with dignity, protected by policy and raised in
environments that allow them to thrive. This program reflects our broader
commitment to building a compassionate, evidence-informed and just food system
for animals, people and the planet.