Why the egg industry is scrambling to set hens free

Governments, activists and big brands like McDonald's and Nestle are putting increased pressure on egg producers to raise their hens more sustainably

Americans eat about 265 eggs per person per year, according to the American Egg Board, and roughly nine in 10 are laid by hens confined in cages with little room to move.

That's changing. McDonald's, Dunkin' Donuts, General Mills and Nestle all said this fall they are gradually switching to cage-free eggs in the US. Consumers are buying more cage-free and organic eggs. Laws in five states, including California, ban caged hens.