"There is overwhelming scientific evidence to support the RSPCA's view that hens do not belong in cages. Frustrated from an inability to express natural behaviours as simple as scratching in the dirt or laying their eggs in a nest, caged hens suffer chronically throughout their short lives. 11.6 million hens live like this in Australia today, existing in less space each than an A4 piece of paper. A properly managed barn or free-range system gives hens the freedom to behave naturally." - (Sourced from http://www.rspca.org.au/news/rspca-welcomes-woolworths-egg-shift.html) 

These horrific living conditions also result in feather loss and damage to the bird's skin by rubbing themselves on the battery cage's wire.

Not only do these hens live in incredibly cramped conditions, but they are subject to de-beaking in order to reduce the amount of cannibalism that takes place in the battery cages. This involves the use of a heated blade to cut off parts of the beak, and which leads to the nerves in the beak being broken and being unable to heal, thus the birds are introduced to a permanent state of suffering. This results in infections, ulcers and makes it easier for viruses to spread. For some birds this leads to starvation as the damage to their beaks means they simply cannot feed themselves.

Why would you condone putting Australia's 11 million battery cage hens through such torture throughout their whole lives in order to consume eggs, when you could consume an alternative, such as barn-laid or free-range eggs!

In a free-range environment, hens are able to roam freely within an open space, sit in the sun, and breathe in fresh air, while being able to return to a safe, sheltered area overnight, free from predators and weather conditions.

In addition, studies suggest that the nutritional content of eggs produced by a hen that is able to forage freely in an open grass range is superior to that of an egg produced by a hen contained in a battery cage.

This petition is to demonstrate enough support for an increased production and distribution of barn-laid and free-range eggs in Aussie supermarkets, in conjunction with a dramatic decrease in the production and distribution of cage eggs. 

Please sign the petition and show your support for this cause, and maybe one day we will be able to see the Australian government ban cage eggs, or supermarkets boycott the distribution of cage eggs!