Based on data posted in the USDA Egg Markets Overview, the number of hens in cages declined from 256 million in 2015 to 155 million in mid-June 2025, representing a 39 percent decrease.  In contrast, hens in all categories of cage-free housing increased from 39 million to 131 million, a 236 percent increase. (Table 1)

*Rounded to 1 million

Table 1. Increase in Number of U.S. Hens by Housing System 2015 - 2025

In reviewing housing systems for cage-free flocks, Table 2. highlights a 313 percent increase in hens confined to barns with either floor or aviary systems. Both the free-range and pastured housing categories for hens increased by 300 percent albeit from a small base in 2015.

Within the USDA Certified Organic production category, barn housing with outside access increased by 33 percent to 11 million hens. The free-range and pastured organic categories increased by 150 and 200 percent respectively, for a total of 8 million hens.

^*Includes both aviaries and floor housing

            Table 2.     Increase in Number of Cage-Free Hens by Housing System. 2015-2025

Overall, the number of hens in commercial flocks declined by three percent to 286 million over the 10-year period mainly due to losses from avian influenza during the 2022-2025 epornitic offset by replacements. (Table 3.)

                     Table 3. U.S. Losses of Hens Due to HPAI

The rate of increase among hens producing under the organic program has been lower than conventionally-fed flocks attributed in part to the differential in shelf prices in a market characterized by inflation in food costs.

Factors driving adoption of cage-free housing through expansion, new complexes and houses or replacement of obsolete equipment include:-

• Projected return on capital investment,
• Current and predicted market demand for egg categories, 
•  USDA policy on vaccination against HPAI,
• Consolidation within the industry,
• Involvement of foreign investors with an emphasis on Brazil,
• Availability and cost of feed ingredients, packaging and transport costs influencing margins. 

Irrespective of the outcome of litigation and legislation to overturn or limit the impact of California Proposition #12, there will be little change in the relative proportion of housing systems. This is attributed to the magnitude of investment in conversion to alternatives to cages over the past decade. 

Opportunities may arise favoring replacement of obsolete cages with more modern confined systems including enrichable cages or enriched colony modules representing a compromise between conventional cages and aviaries.