November 20, 2009
Progress for Egg-Laying Hens
Arguably the most abused animals in all agribusiness, about 95% of the roughly 300 million laying hens in the United States are confined in barren, wire "battery cages" so restrictive the birds don't even have enough space to spread their wings. Our No Battery Eggs campaign works with grocery and restaurant chains, as well as with universities and culinary schools, to phase out the use and sale of eggs from birds confined in battery cages.
October 2009: The Michigan legislature approves a bill to ban battery cages.
June 2009: After working with The HSUS, Red Robin starts using some cage-free eggs.
May 2009: In response to an HSUS-led campaign, Wendy's starts using some cage-free eggs.
November 2008: Nearly two-thirds of California voters pass the Prevention of Farm Animal Cruelty Act, which phases out battery cages throughout the state.
February 2008: Denny's starts using some cage-free eggs.
February 2008: Safeway begins switching some of its egg purchasing from battery cage eggs to cage-free eggs.
December 2007: The world's largest food service provider, Compass Group, begins switching to cage-free eggs for its 7,500 U.S. clients.
August 2007: Carl's Jr. and Hardees begins phasing in cage-free eggs.
March 2007: Burger King begins phasing in cage-free eggs.
March 2007: Wolfgang Puck switches to cage-free eggs.
September 2006: In response to an HSUS-led campaign, Ben & Jerry's begins phasing out battery cage eggs.
November 2005: In response to an HSUS-led campaign, Trader Joe's announces that its brand eggs will be exclusively cage-free.
October 2005: Bon Appétit Management Company announces that it will phase out the use of eggs from caged hens in all of its 400 cafés.
May 2005: Whole Foods Market and Wild Oats Natural Marketplace announces that they have ended sales of eggs from caged hens.
January 2005: No Battery Eggs Campaign begins.