The chickens have never seen a cage! All chickens reared for meat are housed in large sheds where they are free to move around and walk on a litter of wood shavings. On some farms, the chickens also have access to the outdoors, according to strict rules that serve to protect them from disease and predators. Cages were used years ago only for laying hens (as a matter of practicality for egg collection), but today almost all laying hens are housed in aviaries with egg collection systems that have now overcome the difficulties of the past.
