In the United States, an estimated 95% of egg-laying hens are intensively confined in battery cages. United Egg Producers Animal Husbandry Guidelines For U.S. Egg Laying Flocks United Egg Producers. (2008 Edition, published 2003).. Retrieved November 15, 2008. page 1, paragraph 6.

As of December 2008, about 300 million birds are confined in battery cages, almost one for every U.S. citizen. Chickens and Eggs USDA National Agriculture Statistics Service. (2008).. Retrieved December 16, 2008. page 1.

Voluntary industry guidelines specify a minimum of 67 square inches per hen. This is an area smaller than a standard sheet of paper. United Egg Producers Animal Husbandry Guidelines For U.S. Egg Laying Flocks United Egg Producers. (2008 Edition, published 2003).. Retrieved November 15, 2008. page 11, paragraph 1.

Like any animal, chickens are highly motivated to perform natural behaviors. These behaviors include nesting, perching, scratching, foraging, dust-bathing, exploring, and stretching. Caged chickens are denied all of these natural behaviors, causing them severe frustration. An HSUS Report: A Comparison of the Welfare of Hens in Battery Cages and Alternative Systems Shields, Sara, and Ian J.H. Duncan. (2006).. Retrieved December 18, 2008. This document provides a summary of natural chicken behavior and how it is frustrated by battery cage confinement.

Battery hens suffer from serious health problems, such as respiratory disease from constant exposure to ammonia fumes and fecal dust; osteoporosis, bone fractures, and prolapsed uteruses from being bred to lay eggs at an unnaturally high rate; and foot disorders, sores, and injuries from contact with the cage wire in outdated cage systems. An HSUS Report: A Comparison of the Welfare of Hens in Battery Cages and Alternative Systems



The Humane Society of the United States. (2008). An HSUS Report: Welfare Issues with Selective Breeding of Egg-Laying Hens for Productivity Shields, Sara, and Ian J.H. Duncan. (2006).. Retrieved December 18, 2008. This document provides a summary of diseases and health problems battery chickens suffer.The Humane Society of the United States. (2008).. Retrieved December 19, 2008. More detail on osteoporosis and cloacal prolapse resulting from selective breeding.

As a response to the lack of foraging opportunities in the barren cage environment, chickens sometimes engage in feather-pecking of their cagemates. So, before they are 10 days old, the ends of their beaks are seared off with hot blades. United Egg Producers Animal Husbandry Guidelines For U.S. Egg Laying Flocks United Egg Producers. (2008 Edition, published 2003).. Retrieved November 15, 2008. page 4: Guidelines for beak trimming.

Beak mutilation causes acute and sometimes chronic pain. An HSUS Report: A Comparison of the Welfare of Hens in Battery Cages and Alternative Systems Shields, Sara, and Ian J.H. Duncan. (2006).. Retrieved December 18, 2008. page 5: "Abnormal Behavior: Cannibalism and Feather-Pecking."

For every egg you buy, a hen will be forced to endure these conditions for over 32 hours. Chickens and Eggs USDA National Agriculture Statistics Service. (2008).. Retrieved December 16, 2008. page 1: Egg production for October 2008 was 2,276 eggs per 100 layers. This is 22.76 eggs per month per bird, which translates to 32.68 hours per egg, given that October has 31 days.

Chickens are confined for about a year and a half before their ability to lay eggs declines, then they are killed. Layers '99. Part II: Reference of 1999 Table Egg Layer Management in the U.S. USDA/Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, Veterinary Services. National Animal Health Monitoring System. (2000).Retrieved December 16, 2008. page 23: The average age of laying hens entering battery cages is 17.5 weeks. Page 29: The average age of laying hens at slaughter is 101.5 weeks. 101.5-17.5 = 84 weeks, or about 19 months.

Eggs are not a necessary part of a nutritious diet, and there are many healthy, affordable alternatives that make it easy to leave eggs off of your shopping list for good. Some good egg alternatives include applesauce, bananas, commercial egg replacer powder (such as Ener-G Egg Replacer or Bob's Red Mill All Natural Egg Replacer) ground flaxseed, tofu, or vinegar and baking soda. HSUS: Endless Eggless Options

EggIndustry.com: Egg-Free Products & Recipes

About.com: Egg Substitutes

Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine: Cooking Without Eggs For more information about how easy it is to replace eggs, see the following links: