Egg industry in Argentina exposed for exploiting hens in cages
Animal Equality has released its first investigation carried out in Argentina into the egg industry and the use of cages for the exploitation of hens.
See the full investigation narrated with photography by Aitor Garmendia and narration by Marianela Szymanowski, professional football player and member of Argentina’s national team.
On four industrial farms located in the province of Buenos Aires, the images show:
- Up to six hens in a single cage, making it impossible for them to walk or spread their wings and causing them severe stress.
- Wire cages, which do not allow them to support themselves on their legs.
- Sick hens, with loss of plumage, as well as blood and infections in their cloacas.
- Decomposing corpses inside and outside cages.
- Faeces and waste accumulated under the cages with the presence of flies.
Non-compliance with regulations
The documented practices contravene the provisions of the Animal Welfare Manual of the National Service for Agrifood Health and Quality (SENASA), which states that ‘Regardless of the type of cage, hens must always be able to move around without difficulty, ensuring compliance with the minimum animal density and the possibility of scratching and flapping their wings as part of their natural behaviour.’
The regulatory body’s Manual also sets out other provisions which, according to the evidence, are not being complied with, such as:
- The use of good quality sleeping surfaces.
- The prevention of injuries to birds and the immediate removal of injured or dead birds from the groups.
- Ensuring the hygiene of drinking troughs and feeders.
- A facility design that ensures all birds have access to all resources, food, and water.
The graphic material obtained by Animal Equality’s research team reveals that this is not being complied with on the farms investigated, and to that end we will file a complaint with SENASA.
An industry that grows at the expense of hens’ suffering
In early 2026, the egg industry reported that Argentina had become the world’s largest per capita consumer, while the number of hens exploited exceeded 62 million. Of that total, the largest concentration, 25.1 million, are in Buenos Aires.
The farms investigated by Animal Equality show densely populated farms, one of them with more than 420,000 hens confined. Globally, the trend among governments and companies is to eliminate the cage exploitation system, as it is entirely incompatible with animal welfare. One example is Sweden, which in 2025 declared the end of cages, demonstrating that change is possible.
This has been thanks to organised civil society demanding and pressuring companies and authorities to make commitments to end cages, as well as legislation to protect hens.
Choose alternatives that respect hens
Hens will always suffer in industrialised factory farms, whether inside cages or outside, and the best way to protect them is to simply leave eggs, meat, and other animal products off your plate today.
Download our free cookbook containing delicious egg-free recipes. All of the taste, none of the suffering!
save animals, eat plant based
As a consumer, you hold the power to protect animals from the meat industry. Every plant-based meal saves animals from a life of misery in factory farms and slaughterhouses.
