Africa’s Second-Hand Battery Cage Dilemma
Battery Cages And Hen Welfare
The battery cage is the dominant housing system for egg-laying hens in industrial agriculture. These cages are typically around 15 inches high and house five to 10 hens. Unfortunately, this means that each bird has less space than an A4 sheet of paper, resulting in a lifetime of cramped confinement.
Within these barren wire quarters, hens are unable to fully stretch, spread their wings, or engage in their natural behaviors. Scientific evidence has shown that hens kept in intensive confinement experience frustration, distress, and suffering. This stress often leads to aggressive behaviors, including pecking and cannibalism, resulting in injuries and feather loss. To mitigate these issues, farmers frequently resort to beak trimming, a painful procedure that involves removing part of the beak.
Shockingly, 90% of chickens raised for commercial egg production worldwide endure their lives in confined cages. This widespread practice is driven by the perception that hens in such systems are more manageable compared to free-range or cage-free systems, even though it compromises their welfare. The design of battery cages makes egg collection easier, as the eggs simply slide into a tray in front of the cage. However, there are alternative cage-free systems, such as aviaries, that use similar technologies while significantly improving hen welfare.
Another contributing factor to the prevalence of battery cages is that many farms were constructed for industrial egg production and designed with battery cages in mind. The transition from battery cages to cage-free housing systems poses a significant financial challenge for these farms, which hinders a swift shift in practices. However, as a result of collective efforts, numerous companies are taking a stand by pledging to no longer source eggs from farms that use battery cages. This commitment serves as a compelling force for farms to make the necessary transition towards more humane and ethical practices.
Under mounting pressure from environmental and animal welfare organizations, several European countries have taken proactive steps to phase out battery cages. In response to these concerns, the Council of the European Union introduced Directive 1999/74/EC, which mandated the prohibition of conventional battery cages in the E.U. for welfare reasons. This directive came into effect in January 2012, leading to a significant reduction in the production of eggs from battery cages across the European Union.
In an effort to improve animal welfare, several other countries have also implemented similar bans on the use of battery cages. Noteworthy examples include Canada, Germany, India, New Zealand, Norway, and Switzerland. These nations have recognized the importance of addressing ethical concerns surrounding the confinement of laying hens and have taken significant strides to promote more humane and sustainable practices within the chicken farming industry.
These initiatives highlight a global shift towards prioritizing animal well-being and aligning agricultural practices with ethical and environmental considerations. However, there is still room for improvement in these countries’ policies regarding the phase-out of battery cages and how banned cages will be handled.
Egg Production In Africa
In Africa, animal welfare concerns are often overlooked compared to other continents. However, it is noteworthy that the region has the highest percentage of cage-free hens globally. According to estimates from the International Egg Commission in 2020, approximately 40% of laying hens in Africa were raised in cage-free environments. This is largely attributed to the financial constraints faced by smaller producers.
It is important to note that this percentage varies widely across African countries and is likely to evolve over time, especially if cages become more affordable and accessible.
As of 2021, the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) reports an approximate total of 550 million laying hens in Africa. Interestingly, only around a third of these (approximately 200 million, as per the International Egg Commission) are categorized as commercial laying hens or “layers,” with concentrations likely in Northern Africa, Western Africa (Nigeria), and South Africa. These commercial hens play a crucial role in production, and we estimate that they probably supply over two-thirds of the eggs in Africa. We make this estimation based on their significantly higher productivity of 250-300 eggs per year/hen compared to indigenous breeds that have an annual average of 37.2 eggs per hen typically utilized in informal or backyard farming.
Despite the dominance of the eggs produced by commercial laying hens, egg consumption in the region remains below average. The average consumption (and production) of commercial eggs in Africa is still several times lower than in the rest of the world, standing at just 44 eggs per person per annum. This means there’s ample room for increasing commercial production.
Insights from Rabobank’s Africa poultry experts suggest that countries such as Zambia, Nigeria, Kenya, Tanzania, and Senegal are expected to lead the industrialization of chicken farming in Sub-Saharan Africa. The shift towards larger scale distribution and improved efficiency across the value chain — encompassing grains and oilseeds, feed, breeding, farming, processing, and distribution — is anticipated to drive modernization and potentially lead to the adoption of battery cages as part of the intensification process. This ongoing transformation reflects the dynamic nature of the chicken farming industry in Africa, balancing increased production with evolving considerations for animal welfare.
In line with this trend, an assessment of Kenya’s battery cage adoption highlights a rise in the use of battery cages, particularly among small-scale peri-urban and urban farmers. Shockingly, close to half of the counties in Kenya have embraced this cruel system of production. According to the study, around 41% of respondents indicated that some egg producers had already integrated the use of battery cages into their operations. This data strongly suggests that the adoption of cages is rapidly gaining popularity among farmers in various regions of Kenya.
The Rise Of Second-Hand Cages
Many farmers and producers in Africa prefer second-hand cages, driven by their affordability and durability compared to the high cost of new cages. While newly imported battery cages can range from $350-383 per set, some used cages can be obtained for as low as $60 per set, leading to their widespread adoption in the region. However, this affordability comes at a significant ethical cost, subjecting millions of hens to a lifetime of cruelty.
Insights from poultry producers within the Animal Welfare League Cage-Free Directory have highlighted the increasing availability and accessibility of cheaper cages, contributing to the growing adoption of these inhumane practices. Importantly, there have been cases where poultry farmers in the E.U. have donated their used battery cages to entrepreneurs in Africa, raising concerns about the scale of cage imports and their impact on bird welfare.
For example, in the wake of the E.U.’s 2012 cage ban, one poultry industry journalist mentioned that a Ghanaian farmer was seeking E.U. cage donations to expand their flock from 2,000 to 20,000 hens. The author suggested that there are likely thousands of E.U. producers willing to donate their cages to Africa, which raises questions about the ethics of banning cages in the E.U. (and other Western countries) only to shift them over to developing regions.
This problematic trend is also supported by a 2022 study on exports from E.U. member states to non-E.U. destinations, including Africa. According to the study, the E.U.’s conventional cage ban corresponded to a 43% increase in exports of poultry-keeping machinery to non-E.U. destinations. This highly suggests that cage exports could be replacing old cages in destinations without bans (like Africa), or that cages are being purchased by egg producers aiming to increase egg production. This phenomenon is known as the “leakage effect,” as there was no policy in place to address what to do with banned cages once the E.U. directive came into effect.
The surge in the adoption of phased-out battery cage systems in African chicken production brings the industry’s sustainability into question. In a 2021 webinar, World Animal Protection (WAP) raised concerns of the sustainability of the African poultry industry especially on the influx of outdated battery cages that have been discontinued in more developed countries through enactments and policies. The organization’s concerns were twofold, encompassing the ethical treatment of chickens and the long-term viability of the African chicken industry itself.
On the ethical front, WAP’s Farming Campaigns Manager asserted that battery cages severely restrict natural behaviors and can lead to bone weaknesses, making chickens more susceptible to diseases. These concerns not only raise welfare issues but also impact food safety due to potential disease outbreaks. From a sustainability standpoint, there is a risk of African producers being edged out of the global market. WAP indicated that major food companies are phasing out battery cages entirely, meaning that African producers relying on these outdated systems risk exclusion from critical supply chains.
This situation highlights the need for a more sustainable and humane approach to chicken farming in Africa, emphasizing the importance of aligning with contemporary global standards in animal welfare.
Cage-Free Advocacy
In the context of the cage-free movement in Africa, further research and data collection are necessary to understand the extent of this phenomenon in different African countries. Raising awareness among animal advocacy groups in Africa is also crucial to effectively address the rise in battery cages. Finally, adequate funding is essential for organizations like the Animal Welfare League to assess and identify the best approaches for solving this issue.
By shedding light on the importation of second-hand battery cages and its implications for Africa’s cage-free movement, we can work towards a more ethical, sustainable future for chicken farming on the continent.
Note: This blog is based on the article “The Epidemic of Second-Hand Battery Cages Being Imported into Africa: What does this mean for the cage-free movement in Africa?” Thank you to Giovanni Fabris and the Animal Welfare League for their help and support.