Open Wing Alliance Uncovers Disturbing Animal Abuse in Walmart's Egg Supply Chain
In a significant development that highlights the urgent need for corporate accountability, the Open Wing Alliance (OWA), in collaboration with Mercy For Animals and The Humane League, has unveiled shocking footage revealing animal cruelty in Walmart’s egg supply chain. This investigation is part of the largest global review of industrial egg farming, encompassing 37 countries and engaging nearly 100 animal protection organizations from around the world.
The footage, taken from an egg farm operated by Ojai Alimentos in Mexico, shows appalling conditions where thousands of laying hens are confined in cramped, barren cages. Each hen is given less space than a sheet of paper, stripped of the ability to engage in natural behaviors, and subjected to extreme stress and suffering. Captured footage reveals a chaotic environment filled with the distressed cries of hens, painting a dire picture of life under such confinement. The cacophony of sounds is a far cry from the gentle clucking one would expect from free-roaming hens.
As the investigation delves deeper, it becomes evident that these conditions lead to devastating consequences for the birds. Many hens face horrific deaths, often falling into their own excrement due to extreme overcrowding. Those that escape their cages find themselves trapped in pools of waste, struggling to survive while receiving no veterinary assistance. Disturbingly, one hen was filmed being beaten with a stick and discarded without any care. The environmental management of waste lagoons next to the farm is also alarmingly inadequate, presenting further cause for concern.
Caitlin Campbell, the Senior Global Corporate Campaigns Lead at OWA, emphasized the moral obligation of corporations like Walmart to take action against such cruelty. She stated, "These systems are cruel full stop, and corporations need to take accountability. Walmart must commit to eliminating cages across its global egg supply chain. Consumers don't want eggs from cages, and anything less is unacceptable."
Despite its extensive reach, Walmart currently lacks a global policy mandating cage-free eggs, continuing to source products from suppliers that engage in extreme confinement. In contrast, many prominent companies are moving toward cage-free systems, signaling a shift in industry standards. Notably, seven out of the ten largest egg producers in Latin America have transitioned away from such outdated practices. Bimbo, a leading name in the region, was among the first to announce a commitment to cage-free sourcing, setting a benchmark for others in the market.
Stella Baptiste, Global Campaigns Manager at Mercy For Animals, noted that as of 2025, transparency across supply chains is essential for maintaining consumer trust. "Companies that support animal cruelty are not just falling behind; they're becoming irrelevant to a new generation of ethical consumers. Walmart needs to adapt or risk losing their place in the market,” she remarked.
The evidence presented by the Open Wing Alliance prompts a substantial challenge to not only Walmart but the broader food supply industry—urging for improved animal welfare standards and more ethical sourcing practices. For more information, including the full investigation and video evidence, visit RealCostofEggs.com and the Open Wing Alliance's website at OpenWingAlliance.org.
The footage, taken from an egg farm operated by Ojai Alimentos in Mexico, shows appalling conditions where thousands of laying hens are confined in cramped, barren cages. Each hen is given less space than a sheet of paper, stripped of the ability to engage in natural behaviors, and subjected to extreme stress and suffering. Captured footage reveals a chaotic environment filled with the distressed cries of hens, painting a dire picture of life under such confinement. The cacophony of sounds is a far cry from the gentle clucking one would expect from free-roaming hens.
As the investigation delves deeper, it becomes evident that these conditions lead to devastating consequences for the birds. Many hens face horrific deaths, often falling into their own excrement due to extreme overcrowding. Those that escape their cages find themselves trapped in pools of waste, struggling to survive while receiving no veterinary assistance. Disturbingly, one hen was filmed being beaten with a stick and discarded without any care. The environmental management of waste lagoons next to the farm is also alarmingly inadequate, presenting further cause for concern.
Caitlin Campbell, the Senior Global Corporate Campaigns Lead at OWA, emphasized the moral obligation of corporations like Walmart to take action against such cruelty. She stated, "These systems are cruel full stop, and corporations need to take accountability. Walmart must commit to eliminating cages across its global egg supply chain. Consumers don't want eggs from cages, and anything less is unacceptable."
Despite its extensive reach, Walmart currently lacks a global policy mandating cage-free eggs, continuing to source products from suppliers that engage in extreme confinement. In contrast, many prominent companies are moving toward cage-free systems, signaling a shift in industry standards. Notably, seven out of the ten largest egg producers in Latin America have transitioned away from such outdated practices. Bimbo, a leading name in the region, was among the first to announce a commitment to cage-free sourcing, setting a benchmark for others in the market.
Stella Baptiste, Global Campaigns Manager at Mercy For Animals, noted that as of 2025, transparency across supply chains is essential for maintaining consumer trust. "Companies that support animal cruelty are not just falling behind; they're becoming irrelevant to a new generation of ethical consumers. Walmart needs to adapt or risk losing their place in the market,” she remarked.
The evidence presented by the Open Wing Alliance prompts a substantial challenge to not only Walmart but the broader food supply industry—urging for improved animal welfare standards and more ethical sourcing practices. For more information, including the full investigation and video evidence, visit RealCostofEggs.com and the Open Wing Alliance's website at OpenWingAlliance.org.
Topics Policy & Public Interest）
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