Israel to Cease Confining Chickens to Cages, Correct Cruel, Crowded Coop Conditions

Israel’s Agriculture Ministry on Monday announced that going forward, all new hen coops for egg production must be cage-free. By June 2029, cages in chicken coops will be banned altogether. The ban is part of an Israeli government reform in the egg-laying industry that also includes an upgrade in the sanitary conditions and veterinary care provided to maintain the health of Israeli chickens. Each bird will be allotted at least 600 to 750 square centimeters of living space, and ventilation, air conditioning, and lighting will all be upgraded. About 93% of chicken coops in Israel today employ cages and, according to the ministry, are outdated and overcrowded. The Agriculture Ministry also plans to ban, within a year, the debeaking of laying hens after leaving the hatchery.