We’ve Heard From Egg-Laying Hen Farmers
February 2026
Cage-Free Laws Newsletter
Cage-Free Laws Research Findings
Over the course of the past several months, we have surveyed egg-laying hen farmers on a range of issues from housing systems to bird flu and more. We’ve heard from dozens, mostly smallholder farmers, though there were responses from bigger farmers in the 500,000-1,000,000 hen range. We compensated them for their involvement and will share only their responses, not any identifiable information.
A Majority Support Cage-Free Laws
All respondents either support (63%) or prefer not to answer (38%) the question, “Do you support cage-free laws like California’s Prop 12 or Massachusetts Question 3 that ban the sale and/or production of meat and eggs from animals that were confined in crates or cages?” None said they did not support it. Most of the respondents are not located in a current cage-free state.
What are the Benefits to Raising Cage-Free Hens?
“The chickens have room to be chickens, eat bugs, fertilize the area, etc.”
“Watching the birds do their natural behaviors”
“It's easier and hens can forage.”
“Better for the hens”
“Better nutritional content in eggs, Healthier happier chickens”
“Happier hens are healthier hens and in turn we get healthier people.”
Perceived Obstacles and Resources Needed to Be Cage-Free
“Access to cage-free buyers” was listed as a resource needed to transition away from cages to cage-free operations.
When asked what the biggest operational challenges are, most pasture-raised farmers responded “keeping hens safe.”
Cage-Free Laws Research Team Support
We are interested in learning more about egg farmers and suppliers, and surveying them on cages, cage-free transitions, bird flu, and more. If you’re interested in participating, send us an email (info@cagefreelaws.com). Also, if you have any questions about cage-free laws and how they’ll impact your business, please reach out.
Cage-Free News
Michigan Egg Association Questions Lawsuit Over Cage-Free Law
On January 22, 2026, the Department of Justice (DOJ) sued Michigan to overturn a law that bans cages on egg farms in the state and mandates all eggs sold in the state come from cage-free systems.
Agri-Pulse reported that Nancy Barr, executive director of Michigan Allied Poultry Industries, cited highly pathogenic avian influenza as the driver of egg price increases. "[HPAI] is what had caused the prices to go up, much more so than cage-free production." Additionally, Barr said, producers "spent hundreds of millions of dollars converting all of their barns over to cage-free to be in compliance with the law."
Barr also noted that a dozen cage-free eggs at her local Meijer in Lansing are going for $1.99.
The author, Steve Davies, notes: “The lawsuit, which claims that only the federal government can regulate the "quality and inspection" of eggs sold in interstate commerce, cites no data or studies to support the claim that compliance costs have driven up the cost of eggs.”
In a Crain’s Grand Rapids Business article, Nancy Barr explained, “We would hate to go backwards on this. We spent more than a decade getting ready, converting barns, raising birds in the appropriate environment. We think it’s good for the birds. We think it’s working. And we feel that there’s a problem being created that doesn’t exist, which is high egg prices as a result of cage-free production.”
Egg Prices Drop for Now
A combination of restocking and relatively low amounts of HPAI depopulations have led to lower egg prices. The most recent USDA Egg Market Overview shows a continued cage-free and caged egg price parity.
Cage-Free Housing Leaps to Nearly 50% of U.S. Flock
Over 3 Million Layers Depopulated Due to HPAI in January 2026
The Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) reported two egg-laying hen flock culls in the last week of January 2026. One occurred in Lancaster, Pennsylvania claiming the lives of 1.5 million hens. The second depopulation event occurred in Weld County, Colorado resulting in the death of 1.3 million hens.
Egg Giant Reports Surging Specialty Sales
In its Second Quarter fiscal 2026 results release, Cal-Maine, the largest egg producer in the United States, announced, “Specialty eggs drove a greater portion of shell egg sales, accounting for 44.0% of total shell egg sales, up 1,230 basis points [from the same quarter a year ago].”
Tell us what you are working on
We aim to make cagefreelaws.com a resource for industry professionals so please let us know what topics would be most helpful to address in subsequent editions. Thank you.
To learn more about the current state laws concerning extreme animal confinement, and your legal responsibilities as a business selling eggs or egg products, visit www.cagefreelaws.com
The information provided in this message and on cagefreelaws.com does not, and is not intended to, constitute legal advice. All information, content, and materials available in this message and cagefreelaws.com is for general informational purposes only.
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