Research led by Dr. Javiera Calderón found that hens in traditional cages display at least two behaviors comparable to clinical depression.
The study, published in the journals Animal Welfare and Applied Animal Behaviour Science, compared caged hens with birds in free environments. Ninety percent of Chile’s laying hens live in traditional cages.
Dr. Calderón, a veterinarian from Universidad de Chile and PhD graduate from UACh, said the results highlight a serious ethical problem. “This speaks to us of a deep welfare issue,” she said.
A second line of the research showed that chickens form positive bonds with humans when treated gently. The findings were disseminated recently.
