Hensway India Private Limited

Hensway India Private Limited was founded in 2018 with the goal of promoting cage-free chicken farming systems in India and expanding rural producers’ access to this management method. Located in Pune, in the state of Maharashtra, the company has been building its track record with a focus on practices that promote better conditions for the birds and greater transparency throughout the supply chain.

The work began through a project developed in partnership with local farmers, with support from government programs and corporate social responsibility funds. In addition to encouraging the adoption of this farming system, the organization implemented a guaranteed egg purchase policy, offering greater security to the producers involved in the initiative.

At the time, however, this type of production was still largely unknown to the Indian market, which limited growth opportunities. With the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic, the project had to be temporarily suspended, and the organization shifted to conventional poultry farming to maintain its operations.

In recent years, growing interest in food produced through more responsible practices has opened new prospects for the sector. As a result, Hensway resumed its original mission and resumed investing in the expansion of cage-free farms. Currently, it operates three facilities and houses approximately 25,000 birds. Of this total, about 19,000 are still in the growth phase and are expected to join the operation in the coming cycles.

The commitment to animal welfare led the company to seek the Certified Humane® seal, internationally recognized for its management criteria. Contact with organizations that promote the transition to cage-free systems, such as Humane World for Animals, CFFRPPA, and Global Food Partners, helped bring Hensway closer to this initiative and reinforced its decision to adopt independent verification.

Currently, one of the farms is authorized to use the certification, while the others are undergoing adjustments for future inclusion. According to the company, implementing the requirements demanded learning and adaptation, especially since this was its first experience with this type of audit. Nevertheless, the adopted standards have helped strengthen farm management and make monitoring processes more consistent.

Among the observed results are improvements in the birds’ health and behavior. Access to perches, areas designated for dust bathing, and environments that allow greater freedom of movement encourages the expression of natural behaviors and provides conditions better suited to the animals’ needs.

Today, Hensway’s eggs are sold primarily in hotels and local establishments in the Pune region. With a team of six employees and plans to gradually expand the number of farms authorized to use the label, the company continues to invest in an initiative that combines animal welfare, the development of partner producers, and meeting a growing demand for responsibly sourced food.