Alma, Carmen, Laia, and Vera are four of 18,800 young hens hatched in northern Spain. About sixteen weeks old, they will soon lay their first eggs. But instead of staying in northern Spain, they are destined for egg production on the Canary Islands. For the animals, this means a very long and stressful journey. The transport begins on Friday evening. In groups of twelve, the hens are packed into metal cages and loaded onto two trucks. It is already clear: some will not survive the trip. Yet economically, the transport is still profitable – thanks to government subsidies and import support.
The drive to the port of Cádiz takes ten hours. There, in summer temperatures, the vehicles stand for hours in the sun while the ferry Villa de Tazacorte is loaded. In the afternoon, the ship sets sail – its destination: Las Palmas de Gran Canaria. The crossing over the Atlantic takes about 36 hours. From there, the journey continues to Tenerife. Altogether, the animals spend more than 50 hours on the ship alone.
Inside the metal cages, the hens can hardly sit, let alone move. A look into the cages reveals a dense tangle of feathers, claws, and beaks. Only occasionally do a few eyes flash. Some hens try to reach air through the bars – like Alma and Laia, who manage to stretch their heads outside. Others, likely Carmen and Vera, lie motionless among their companions.
By law, the animals must have access to water during transport. Both trucks are equipped with a drinking system, but a glance into the cages makes it clear: for most of the animals, it is out of reach. They receive no food either.
After more than two days at sea, the trucks arrive at their destination – a modern barn facility in southern Tenerife. Hours pass again before all cages are unloaded. We are firmly denied access to the barn.
Whether Carmen and Vera are still alive remains uncertain. As for Alma and Laia, their fate is clear. They will likely spend the next two years in closed barns – without sunlight, without outdoor access, without dust baths, without fresh air. Once their egg production declines, they will be sorted out and killed. And new hens will take their place.
Animals’ Angels documented the transport. This case stands as an example of a practice in which economic interests are placed above the lives and welfare of animals. A chicken is an individual – and every life matters. We want to ensure that those responsible for this transport are held accountable. But that is not enough – the cruel cycle of animal exploitation must be broken.
