What is the fate of all commercially produced, egg-laying hens - including factory farmed, barn raised & free range hen systems?

The brothers of all hens are killed at the hatcheries on the day they shake off their shells - because males of this breed are superfluous to the egg and meat industries. These male chicks are gassed or minced up, while still alive, in massive grinding machines. These killing methods are standard within the global egg industry.

To see an undercover video of a typical hatchery click here
Warning: This footage is disturbing.

The chicks will most likely have their sensitive beaks mutilated. The ends of the beak are sliced off manually or with a laser to prevent the hens harming one another, due to stress, in their future unnatural environments.

At the tender age of 18 months to 2 years, when their featherless bodies are exhausted, their eyes lifeless and their minds crazed, the young hens are slaughtered. Many of their bodies are so debilitated that they are simply discarded as waste. These photographs show ex-battery hens we have rescued and/or re-homed. We call them "battered hens".

What is the Solution?

To stop billions of male chicks being shredded alive and billions of hens being tormented and slain – please stop eating eggs altogether. Egg replacement products are available for baking, etc. See the Why Go Vegan pages of this website.

NOTE: If you witness anyone dumping chickens in public places, please note the time & date and write down their car number plate & description. If possible, also take a photograph of the offender(s) and forward all details to the Auckland SPCA so that a prosecution follows. Please inform others that abandoning an animal is cruel and is illegal under the Animal Welfare Act. Offenders can be fined up to $50,000.00, face a 12 month prison term - or both.