The RSPCA is calling for a ban on caged hens - and hopes to see the UK Government finally launch a consultation into the potential suffering of millions of hens kept in cramped cages across England.

This Easter, the charity wants the public to do their bit to support a ban - by urging their Member of Parliament to call for the UK Government to act.

Around eight million hens (20%) in the UK spend most of their lives cramped in cages, unable to move around freely and perform natural behaviours - like dustbathing.

This can leave them stressed and frustrated, which means they often resort to distressing behaviours like birds pulling out each other's feathers - or even being left with bald patches after their heads and necks rubs on the bars when they poke their heads out to feed (as demonstrated by former caged hen Posy, pictured above.)

Despite 73%* of the public saying they are against hens being kept in cages, this cruel practice still continues - with one in five eggs having come from caged hens in the UK.

Emily Harris, Campaigns Manager at the RSPCA, said: "It is vitally important that we treat every kind of animal with kindness and respect and keeping hens in cages is an outdated and cruel practice which can cause them to suffer. It means each hen is allocated only around 30cm (12in) of usable space - the equivalent of an A4 sheet of paper. These birds are sentient animals with their own individual personalities, despite common misconceptions, and they do not deserve to be treated this way. That's why, this Easter, it's time the chicken came before the egg!

"And, crucially, people have the power to help make a difference. Amid the Easter festivities, we're asking the public to lobby their MP to make real change happen for millions of hens.

"Together, we want to make the UK Government crack under pressure and finally launch a consultation into this vital issue, and the future of caged hens in England. In September last year, we called on the UK Government to do this by January 2025 so this move is now long overdue."

The charity believes there also needs to be greater transparency on food labels so that shoppers understand what they're buying and that - when buying certain products - they risk inadvertently contributing to a practice they don't agree with. Whilst many people may choose to pick up free-range eggs in their supermarkets, unlike on boxes of eggs, which are clearly marked, companies do not have to declare the kinds of eggs they use as ingredients such as in cakes, pies, biscuits and quiches. This means shoppers could be unwittingly buying food with caged eggs in the ingredients.

Emily added: "The only way to stop this cruel practice altogether is to see a ban on cages and we urge the public to help us make this a reality. We can achieve so much together for animal welfare."

The RSPCA's ethical farm assurance scheme, RSPCA Assured, which does not allow hens to be kept in cages on the scheme, carried out a series of vox-pops to gauge the public's opinion on caged hens with many people saying they do not agree with hens being kept in cages.

To support the campaign and contact your local MP, visit: https://www.rspca.org.uk/getinvolved/campaign/farmcages.