Sweden became the first country in the world where cage housing for hens has completely ended — and it happened without the adoption of a corresponding law. More than 17 million birds gained the opportunity to live in natural conditions thanks to half a century of work by activists, businesses and citizens.
Activists from the Project 1882 initiative spent decades persuading municipalities, negotiating with companies, publishing research and running campaigns. A key factor was the decision by more than 85 large firms — from retail chains to restaurants — to stop buying eggs produced by caged hens. Since summer 2025, there have been no birds left in the country living in cramped conditions.
Public support was also significant: more than 50,000 people signed the initiative “End the Cage Age,” aimed at making the entire European industry more humane. Although discussion of a pan-European law has been postponed to 2026, Sweden has already shown that change is possible without coercion.
