U.S. Public Supports Humane Treatment For Hens, Close Quarters For Chickens Is Unacceptable
This survey shows that most Americans do not approve the practice of crowding chickens in tight living conditions.
86.2% felt it was unacceptable for farms to squeeze 8-10 chickens into cages the size of an open newspaper, while 10.3% were not upset by the practice.
Of those against the practice, 69.8% felt it was totally unacceptable and 16.4% felt it was somewhat acceptable.
Of those not bothered by the practice, 5.1% found it totally acceptable and 5.2% felt it was somewhat acceptable.
Demographically, those who found the practice unacceptable include:
- Democrats (92.2%)
- Republicans (80.5%)
- Independents (86.6%)
- Without a high school diploma (89.1%)
- High school graduates (88.7%)
- Some college (88.1%)
- College degrees or higher (83.1%)
- African Americans (88.8%)
- Whites (86.4%)
- Hispanics (83.2%)
80.7% indicated they would be willing to pay more for eggs raised in a humane manner while 14.6% indicated they only wanted the lowest price possible. Demographically, those willing to pay more for humanely produced eggs include:
- East (85.5%)
- South (77.3%)
- Central/Great Lakes (79.5%)
- West (81.6%)
- Democrats (87.5%)
- Independents (84%)
- Republicans (70.3%)
- Women (87.3%)
- Men (73.6%)