Study of Egg Laying Systems

A recent three year study of egg laying systems used in the United States was completed with positive results for caged systems has recently received publicity in Farm Week News and the Wall Street Journal among other places.  Researchers looked at Caged, enriched colony, and cage-free systems. The study found that caged systems were healthier for both the chickens and the workers.  Egg quality was the same in all three systems.  The reasons for putting chickens in cages seems to be valid.  It keeps the chickens from pecking each other and it makes it easier to attend to individual bird's health needs.  The study did not look at pasture raised chickens that roam the yard.