RAS farms· May 2026·8 min read

Enriched cages vs cage-free: 2026 economics for RAS farms

Capex, opex and welfare premium — a frank look at when each system pays back in different regulatory environments.

Enriched colony systems still beat cage-free aviary on capex per bird and on feed conversion, but the welfare premium on cage-free eggs has narrowed the gap in markets where retailers source exclusively cage-free.

The honest answer: run the numbers for your specific market, retail channel and energy cost before committing.

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