How long do hens in battery cages live? What happens to them?
Hens kept in battery cages are kept in production for up to two years. During this time, 15% of all hens die, most after forced molting. After two years, hens’ egg production has dropped and their bones have become brittle due to lack of calcium. Over 80% of these ‘spent’ hens are sold for food processing, with most of the remainder being composted or rendered. For comparison, a chicken’s natural lifespan is around seven years.
