McDonald’s Supply Chain department leaders have been working with egg suppliers for several years to understand the pros and cons of different laying hen housing options. As in the case of broiler stunning, laying hen housing options are evaluated, not just on the basis of animal welfare, but also with regard to other important impacts such as safety, quality, cost and the environment.

Based on our current knowledge, McDonald’s continues to support suppliers’ use of both cage and cage-free laying hen housing within our supply chain. We require the most humane treatment of hens in either case, and promote continuous improvement for all aspects of sustainability, including ethical, environmental and economic components.

This is supported by the fact that there remains disagreement among scientists globally about how to balance the pros and cons of each laying hen housing system. Cage-free/free-range systems, for instance, allow birds to exhibit more natural behaviors, but cage systems may pose less risk with regard to the spread of infectious diseases.

We will continue to consult with animal science experts to understand the latest information and best practices for egg production. McDonald's USA, for instance, has joined a coalition to study the animal welfare and other sustainability impacts of different laying hen housing options.