BATTERY HEN Meaning and
Definition
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A "battery hen" refers to a hen (a female chicken) that is intensively raised and confined in battery cages for the purpose of egg production. The term "battery" refers to the arrangement of small, wire cages that are typically stacked on top of one another in rows within a poultry facility.
These cages are engineered to maximize egg production efficiency but offer minimal space, prohibiting the hens from expressing natural behaviors such as perching, dust bathing, or foraging. The term "battery hen" is often associated with industrialized methods of egg production, where large-scale operations prioritize mass production and economic efficiency over the welfare of individual hens.
Battery hens spend their entire lives inside these cramped cages, with limited room to move, resulting in physical and psychological distress. Due to the lack of space, hens may experience feather loss, bone deformities, and even develop diseases. Their close proximity to other hens also exposes them to stress and a higher risk of infections.
Efforts to improve hen welfare have led to the banning or phasing out of barren battery cages in various countries, with the introduction of alternative housing systems that provide more space and enhanced welfare opportunities. However, the term "battery hen" remains significant in highlighting the historical and ongoing challenges associated with industrialized egg production and the need for more considerate and humane practices.
Common Misspellings for BATTERY HEN
- vattery hen
- nattery hen
- hattery hen
- gattery hen
- bzttery hen
- bsttery hen
- bwttery hen
- bqttery hen
- bartery hen
- baftery hen
- bagtery hen
- baytery hen
- ba6tery hen
- ba5tery hen
- batrery hen
- batfery hen
- batgery hen
- batyery hen
- bat6ery hen
- bat5ery hen
Etymology of BATTERY HEN
The term "battery hen" refers to a hen that is reared in a small cage, typically in large numbers. The etymology of the word lies in the historical development of poultry farming practices.
The word "battery" in "battery hen" is derived from the term "battery cage". A battery cage is a small wire enclosure used for housing hens in commercial egg production. The cages are designed to hold multiple hens in a confined space, usually in long rows or stacked tiers. This system maximizes space and efficiency but is criticized for its impact on the wellbeing of the hens.
The usage of "battery" in this context comes from its original meaning, which is a grouping or arrangement of similar objects or items placed closely together. This usage can also be seen in other frameworks, such as "battery of tests" or "battery of weapons".
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