Michigan has enacted a sweeping law that bans the sale of eggs from caged hens—making cage-free the new standard across the state. This ambitious policy aims to improve animal welfare, align with retail trends, and modernize the egg supply chain. Below is everything you need to know: the law’s scope, exceptions, impact, and what’s next.
1. What the Law Requires
As of January 1, 2025, every shell egg sold in Michigan must come from hens housed in cage-free systems. The law prohibits business owners from knowingly selling eggs from caged—or improperly confined—hens.
A cage-free housing system requires that hens have room to roam indoors, with enrichments such as scratch areas, perches, nesting spaces, and dust baths. It bars all versions of caged systems—battery cages, enriched cages, colony cages, etc.—while ensuring hens can stand, lie down, turn around, and fully extend their limbs without restraint.
2. Who Must Comply—and Who’s Exempt
The mandate applies to producers, distributors, and retailers dealing with shell eggs—defined as whole eggs sold for human consumption in their shell. Farms with fewer than 3,000 laying hens are exempt from the requirement, as are businesses selling liquid, processed, or cooked egg products.
3. Timeline of the Law’s Evolution
The push for cage-free began with a 2009 law that required hens be able to stand, turn, lie down, and extend limbs—but still permitted cage use. A stronger update in 2019 (Public Act 132) eliminated cages outright and extended the compliance deadline to the end of 2024. The law officially took effect on January 1, 2025.
4. Key Components in Summary
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Effective Date | January 1, 2025 |
| Mandatory Sellers | Producers, distributors, retailers of shell eggs |
| Requirements | Only eggs from cage-free systems with enrichments allowed |
| Exemptions | Farms with fewer than 3,000 hens; non-shell egg products |
| Definition of Cage-Free | Indoor/outdoor housing where hens can move freely and exhibit natural behaviors |
5. Impact on Producers and Farmers
Transitioning to cage-free requires significant investment in new barns, housing retrofits, and biosecurity. Producers often need more staff and more feed, and must manage greater health risks in more open housing systems. Nevertheless, this shift responds to both animal welfare concerns and major retail commitments to offer cage-free eggs by 2025.
6. Consumer and Market Effects
The law coincides with a serious avian influenza outbreak, which has worsened disruptions in the egg supply chain. Together, these factors have driven egg prices up sharply; in December 2024, a dozen eggs cost around $4.15—up nearly 37% from the previous year. Michigan retailers and consumers alike are feeling the squeeze as they adapt to higher-cost cage-free production.
7. Enforcement and Accountability
Michigan’s Department of Agriculture (MDARD) inspects businesses selling shell eggs to ensure compliance. Sellers must keep written confirmation from their suppliers verifying cage-free housing. Violations result in a progressive enforcement approach: first a warning, followed by possible fines or other regulatory actions if uncorrected.
8. Legal Challenges on the Horizon
Some state lawmakers have proposed repealing the cage-free requirement, arguing it adds cost and burden during a time of egg shortages and high avian flu risk. Others view delaying or undoing the law as regressive—a step back from animal welfare priorities. The debate continues in the state Legislature.
9. Summary Table
| Area | Overview |
|---|---|
| State Law | Requires cage-free shell eggs statewide as of 2025 |
| Exemptions | Farms under 3,000 hens and non-shell egg products |
| Definition | Cage-free with enrichments; no caged systems |
| Industry Impact | Requires capital investment, more labor, and better management |
| Consumer Impact | Egg prices are up due to production shifts and disease outbreaks |
| Enforcement | MDARD inspections and documentation required |
| Future Actions | Legislative challenges may test the law’s permanence |
10. Final Thoughts
Michigan’s cage-free law represents a major evolution in state animal welfare policy—aligning regulations with consumer and retail expectations. While the costs and complexities of implementation are real, the shift reflects a growing demand for ethical egg production. As the industry adapts and lawmakers debate future directions, Michigan remains at the forefront of cage-free reform.