Worldwide, millions of egg-laying hens, pregnant sows, and calves raised for veal are severely restricted in battery cages, gestation crates, and veal crates, respectively. Scientific evidence has shown that animals kept in such intensive confinement are frustrated and distressed.
Intensive confinement can prevent farm animals from exercising, fully extending their limbs, or engaging in many other important natural behaviors. Constrained in barren cages and crates, animals can experience long-term physical and psychological problems. Battery cages for egg-laying hens and crates for pregnant sows and calves are simply not appropriate environments.
HSI works with governments and corporations to enact reforms to improve the treatment of farm animals. You can help by reducing, refining, and replacing meat, egg, and dairy products in your diet.
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Gestation Crates
During their four-month pregnancies, sows on factory farms are kept in crates so small the animals can’t even turn around.
Cramped confinement -
Battery Cage Eggs
Hundreds of millions of egg-laying hens worldwide live their whole lives with less than a sheet of paper's worth of space.
Inhumane -
Humane Eating
Make a difference for animals, the planet and your health by eating more humanely.
Check out our Guide to Meat-Free Meals Sign up to receive a free weekly recipe from HSI -
Environmental Impacts
The production of more than 67 billion land animals for meat, eggs, and milk is a major contributor to climate change.
Make a difference -
Learn More
See a list of our accomplishments, and read reports on the problems with animal agribusiness.
Progress for hens Visit our research library
News
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January 11, 2012
Industrialization of Animal Agriculture Jeopardizes Food Security, Says HSI
HSI released a report critical of the idea that inhumane confinement of animals in industrial production facilities somehow enhances food security.
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December 8, 2011
Smithfield Foods Reafirma Compromiso para Eliminar Jaulas de Gestación antes del 2017
HSI recibió con beneplácito el anuncio hecho por Smithfield Foods de que renovará su compromiso para eliminar en todas sus instalaciones la práctica de confinar cerdas para cría en jaulas de gestación antes del 2017, e instó a Smithfield a que incluya en dicho compromiso a las instalaciones en México de las que es co-propietaria.
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November 16, 2011
HSI Praises Crowne Plaza Bengaluru-Electronics City for Leadership in Animal Welfare
HSI praised the Crowne Plaza Bengaluru-Electronics City Hotel and Resort for being the first in the Indian hospitality industry to phase out its procurement of eggs from hens confined in cages or continually confined indoors in sheds.
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November 8, 2011
Denuncia Presentada ante Gobierno de EE. UU. por Supuestas Falsas Declaraciones de Smithfield Foods en Torno al Bienestar Animal y Medio Ambiente
A tan sólo 24 horas de que Smithfield Foods, la compañía porcicultora más grande a nivel mundial-- inaugurase su nuevo sitio web enfocado en la responsabilidad social empresarial, la organización Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) presentó ante la Comisión de Valores y Bolsas de EE. UU. (instancia gubernamental mejor conocida como SEC por sus siglas en inglés), una denuncia mediante la cual alega que la compañía ha dado declaraciones falsas y engañosas a sus accionistas y consumidores en torno a sus prácticas de responsabilidad social empresarial transgrediendo la Ley Federal de Mercado de E.U.