Happy Hens Farm opens India’s first cage-free training center
Happy Hens Farm, an award-winning Indian company focused on cage-free egg production, has been transforming the industry in their country by developing an environment for sustainable egg production in India.
The company recently launched India’s first cage-free training facility in the town of Perambalur, in the southern state of Tamil Nadu. They expect to train more than 1,000 farmers annually.
The training facility will enable farmers to use recognized animal welfare practices, which have an impact on egg quality.
Premium products
Happy Hens Farm has also invested in creating product lines aimed at specific consumer needs.
The Fola+ Eggs line of premium free-range eggs is developed using a chicken feed enriched with special nutrients. According to studies, this diet increases vitamin B9, also known as folate, in the eggs of birds that consume this supplement.
The product acts on the health of red blood cells and the increased production of proteins, and is especially suitable for children and pregnant women.
Recognition
Highlighted by Forbes for its significant growth, Happy Hens Farm was recognized internationally in 2024 with the Good Egg Award from Compassion in World Farming (CIWF), in the Good Egg category.
The company is the first group in the Indian poultry industry to receive this title for its work in reviving traditional and ethical practices in egg production. Through training programs, the company has promoted better job opportunities, healthier food and greater animal welfare.
The CEO of Happy Hens, Manjunath Marappan, highlighted that the award is a reflection of the collective effort and passion of the entire team in sharing knowledge and sustainable practices.
“Receiving the Good Egg Award is truly an honor. This recognition inspires me and many farmers in India to continue promoting a positive farming environment for chickens, which impacts on higher quality for consumers,” he added.
Impact on the local economy
As well as offering training and market support, Happy Hens Farm works with native breeds of hens, which are better adapted to life outdoors.
The cage-free egg production model is less intensive than the industrial one, allowing small farmers to keep up to 3,000 birds on their farms, compared to 20,000 in industrial environments.
The company has also generated consistent income for local farmers. A farmer with 300 chickens can earn around 10,000 rupees a month (around US$117), a significant income in India.
Manjunath Marappan points out that 100% of the eggs produced are sold, thanks to the adoption of an innovative program called cage-free credits.
Published on June 6, 2025
