In May 2021, a whistleblower who wishes to remain anonymous, has revealed to SAFE the horrific conditions that hens are living in at the colony cage farm ‘Northern Eggs’ in Whangarei.
The informant claimed that farm managers ignored multiple reports of animal suffering. SAFE alerted the Ministry for Primary Industries to investigate immediately. This is the second time Northern Eggs has been scrutinised for animal cruelty. In December 2019, Newshub revealed footage showing dead hens in various stages of decomposition, as well as countless hens who were severely de-feathered and living among their dead cage mates. On both occasions, MPI has found ‘no evidence of animal cruelty’.
Time and time again, we are seeing hen cruelty on colony cage farms. The only way to ensure hens are no longer subjected to these unacceptable and deplorable conditions is to ban colony cage farming in New Zealand for good.