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Hens

Hens deserve kindness, compassion and the freedom to live a life worth living. Hens are intelligent, curious and socially complex animals with natural behavioural needs. In a natural outdoor environment, a hen will spend her day scratching at the ground, searching for food, dust bathing, stretching her wings and basking in the sun.

In New Zealand, over 1.2 million commercially farmed hens are kept in cramped cages to produce eggs. These intensive farming conditions prevent hens from expressing their most basic behaviours, which can cause hens to experience a range serious welfare issues.

Colony cages are in direct breach of the Animal Welfare Act 1999, which states an animal must have the opportunity to display normal patterns of behaviour. 

We are seeing incredible change for hens across New Zealand. Kiwis want to see hens free from cages and the major egg purchasers are listening. All supermarkets across the country are committed to phasing out the sale of eggs from caged hens. The country’s leading foodservice groups, café outlets and restaurant chains have also pledged to stop selling cage eggs.

Together, we can change this and create an Aotearoa where hens are treated as individuals and not products.

Uncover the Facts

Battery cages

On January 1st, 2023, cruel battery cages were finally banned in Aotearoa.

Colony cages

Over 1.2 million hens are confined in intensive colony cages in Aotearoa.

The life of a caged hen

In New Zealand, one third of commercially farmed hens are kept in highly intensive cage farming systems.

Try plant-based!

Take the Dairy-Free Challenge

Moving away from dairy is a choice that benefits animals, our planet and our health. There’s never been a better time to go dairy-free. Whether you’re looking for tips on the best plant-based cheese or ice cream or on the lookout for new dairy-free recipe ideas, we’ve got you covered!

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Help us continue helping animals in need

As a charity, SAFE is reliant on the support of caring people like you to carry out our valuable work. Every gift goes towards providing education, undertaking research and campaigning for the benefit of all animals. SAFE is a registered charity in New Zealand (CC 40428). Contributions of $5 or more are tax-deductible.