Investigation Overview
Sentient released a press‑release on 10 September 2026 detailing an investigation of 21 layer‑hen poultry units that employ battery‑cage systems in four Indian states – Haryana, Punjab, Madhya Pradesh and Tamil Nadu. The examined facilities varied widely in size, with estimated capacities ranging from roughly 3,000 hens to as many as 200,000 hens per unit.
Core Findings
Investigators observed chronic overcrowding within the cages, leading to frequent fighting and visible injuries. Nearly all hens examined bore neck injuries attributed to repeated contact with metal cage bars, while additional wounds included wing injuries, broken legs, bleeding, skin conditions and marked physical weakness; some birds were unable to stand. Debeaking was reported as a routine practice across all sites; investigators witnessed the procedure being performed, noted visible blood loss, and recorded that chicks were often handled roughly after debeaking.
Mortality was reported anecdotally by staff as approximately five to ten dead hens per shed, though exact mortality rates could not be independently verified. Dead birds were found both inside and outside cages.
Hygiene and waste‑management conditions were poor. Manure accumulated beneath cages, sometimes persisting throughout an entire production batch, producing strong ammonia‑like odours. Investigators documented stagnant water, mosquito larvae, rodents, cockroaches and flies throughout the premises. In several units, feed showed signs of fungal growth or possible contamination. Waste‑water and manure were frequently mis‑managed, with blockages in drains, overflow of wastewater, and large piles of waste left on site. Carcass disposal methods varied, including burial in pits, open burning, incineration, and in one instance, dumping near a highway without burial or incineration.
Bio‑security measures were largely absent; apparent protocols were observed at only one of the 21 facilities. Personal protective equipment such as masks was not provided or used by adult workers or children present. Children were observed collecting eggs and cleaning premises without any protective gear.
Geographically, many farms were situated 10 to 400 metres from residential areas and all were located adjacent to national highways.
Regulatory and Compliance Gaps
In Madhya Pradesh, none of the seven facilities inspected possessed a Consent to Establish or Consent to Operate from the Madhya Pradesh Pollution Control Board (MPPCB). Complaints lodged in 2024 alleged violations of siting criteria and the lack of required consents, yet the only enforcement action reported in 2026 was the issuance of a general public notice.
Sentient’s Response
Abhishek Pandey, CEO of Sentient, stated that the consistency of the documented conditions across all 21 sites is “deeply concerning,” emphasizing that practices such as severe overcrowding, routine debeaking, untreated injuries, poor waste management and weak bio‑security should not be accepted as business‑as‑usual. He called for stronger implementation and monitoring of existing animal‑welfare, environmental, public‑health and poultry‑sector regulations, regular inspections, improved veterinary support, responsible carcass and waste disposal, enhanced worker protection, and greater accountability for practices that compromise animal welfare and hygiene.
Recommendations
Sentient recommends continued investigations of poultry facilities and hatcheries, particularly in Madhya Pradesh, to further document debeaking practices and the sourcing and handling of chicks. The organization also urges authorities to enforce consent requirements, improve bio‑security protocols, and ensure that waste‑management systems meet environmental standards.