Michigan governor signs bill requiring more room for chickens, pregnant pigs, veal calves

Mich. governor signs law giving farm animals room

LANSING, Mich. — Michigan’s governor has signed legislation requiring farm animals confined in cages to have enough room to turn around and fully extend their limbs.

The bill signed Monday makes Michigan the second state to ban so-called battery cages for egg-laying chickens, the fifth to ban veal crates and the seventh to ban stalls for pregnant pigs.

The cages for hens and stalls for pregnant pigs will go away in about 10 years. The crates for veal calves will be banned in three years.

Animal advocates consider close confinement inhumane.