When egg producers began using battery cages, they with met with varied basic health problems including injuries and feather damage that did not meet the natural living requirements of their hens (Fraser, 2008). As mentioned in a different section, Swedish scientist Ragnar Tauson who, alongside his colleagues, investigated the source of various basic health problems combatted by laying hens kept in battery cages.
Among these health issues identified were:
- Significant foot lesions
Source: Novus
- Neck lesions
- Overgrown claws
Source: Animal Place Sanctuary - Loss of feathers
Source: Little Hen Rescue
Tauson’s findings identified the cause of these health effects to be related to the battery cage housing system (Fraser, 2008).