Flossy's story: it's a hen's life
This is Florence (or Flossy for short). She lives in a backyard in suburban Brisbane. It's a nice life. She gets to scratch in the dirt, forage for food, stretch out and flap her wings and socialise with her two other feathered friends. Best of all, she gets to perch in her brand new chicken coup and lay her eggs in a nest.
It doesn't sound like much to ask for but it's a far cry from the lives of 11.6 million layer hens living and laying in cages in Australia today. Caged hens can't do things that come naturally, like dust bathing and foraging. Unfortunately 2.1 billion eggs are produced in Austraila every year from hens confined in battery cages.
We aren't all lucky enough to be able to have backyard hens but whether we're eating out or in, we can make choices that will directly impact the welfare of caged hens everywhere.
Choosing Wisely means:
- Eating at restaurants and cafes that use cage-free eggs. For a full list check out the Choose Wisely website.
- Buying barn-laid or free range eggs at the supermarket. RSPCA Approved eggs are a great choice because when you see the RSPCA logo you can trust that the hens have been raised to the RSPCA's high animal welfare standards.
- Helping the RSPCA spread the word. Contact us and we'll send you some Choose Wisely Calling Cards that you can leave at your favourite cafe or restaurant to tell them you'd prefer they used cage-free eggs.
- Supporting the RSPCA's campaign to get all hens out of cages.
Not all hens can live as pets like Flossy but there is a better life for hens in the form of a well-managed barn or free range system. Every egg you buy can make a difference.