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Trapped and Left to Die

MFA investigators discovered trapped birds who had become immobilized when their bodies or wings became entangled in the wire of their cage. Once trapped it is nearly impossible for a hen to free herself. With no access to food or water, trapped birds are at great risk of dying slowly from dehydration or starvation.

When a hen becomes trapped she suffers terribly; the trapped body part is vulnerable to losing blood circulation, resulting in excruciating pain. Immobilized birds are also unable to avoid social interactions and suffer from fear and stress as well as the constant physical assault of being trampled by her cage mates.

“The hens trapped in parts of the cages where they cannot reach food or water would be suffering from a slow and agonizing death from starvation or, more likely, dehydration. In addition, there is the pain inflicted on the body part, such as the wing, that is trapped. It could become twisted, broken or lose circulation, all of which are painful conditions.” --Dr. Laurie Siperstein-Cook, DVM

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