Shocking footage from a Bulgarian farm reveals the harsh reality behind eggs labeled with code 3

Bulgaria is part of the world’s largest investigation of caged hen farms.

Sofia, 17 June, 2025

Footage filmed undercover on a Bulgarian farm displays the horrific conditions in which thousands of laying hens live and die every day. (link) This discovery is part of the largest global investigation into industrial cage farming of hens, conducted simultaneously in 37 countries across all continents.

Bulgaria is among the countries with the highest share of cage farming in the EU – nearly 70% of all hens in Bulgaria live their entire lives imprisoned in cramped cages, in conditions consumers can hardly imagine.

The investigation was published by CAAI Association as part of the international initiative Real Cost of Eggs, coordinated by the international coalition Open Wing Alliance, with the participation of We Animals and Anima International. The footage brings questions about the safety and traceability of eggs that reach the retail network, including large retail chains.

What does the footage from the investigated farm in Bulgaria reveal, and which farm is it?

• Hens with severe injuries, in poor overall condition, slowly dying, trapped in the cages, with deformed and broken limbs;
• High levels of aggression and cannibalism;
• Insufficient food and lack of water;
• Dead, decaying birds on the floor and in cages;
• Eggs gathered in an extremely dirty and unhygienic environment;
• Complete lack of even minimum requirements for humane treatment.

All this is happening at a farm owned by Eco Invest 2008 Ltd in the village of Kramolin, Gabrovo. The producer code is 3BG07002. According to the Bulgarian Food Safety Agency (BFSA) register, the farm has a capacity of 46,800 laying hens, caged in in so called enriched cages, as well as 28,200 young laying hens. The farm’s distributor is Aquilon-AM Ltd.

‘What we see on the Bulgarian farm is the industrial norm behind eggs with code 3. Most people do not even suspect what the reality is for animals in this type of farming. We urge consumers and businesses – do not be indifferent, the fate of these animals is in your hands.’ – Petya Altimirska, chair of the CAAI Association

‘These images must reach institutions and politicians. It is time for taking a responsibility and real action against caged hen farming – as millions of Europeans have demanded.” – Donka Kalcheva, coordinator of Open Wings campaign at CAAI.

Key facts about Bulgaria:

• 69% of hens are kept in cages – one of the highest levels in the EU (source: BFSA, 2024). This places Bulgaria among the countries with the highest share of cage farming in the EU, along with Poland and Spain.
• Although more than 100 Bulgarian companies have already committed to end the supply and sale of eggs from cage farms, many of them have yet to fulfil their promises. We insist these commitments to be implemented as soon as possible and in full action.
• 89% of Bulgarians would prefer retailers with a significantly better humane policy (Sova Harris, 2023)
• 80% support a ban on cages (Eurobarometer)
• Over 15,500 people have already signed CAAI’s petition to opt out from eggs with code 3.

 

END

Materials:
Credits for video material from Bulgaria: Credit: Bogna Wiltowska / Anima International / Open Wing Alliance / We Animals

• All footage from the international investigation in all 37 countries is available at RealCostofEggs.com
• Short clip with a footage from the Bulgarian farm and comments from CAAI
• Google Drive folder with materials from the investigation at the Bulgarian farm
• 8:20 minute video of the international investigation (BG subtitles)
• 23 minute video in YouTube with footage from the investigation in Bulgaria
• In relation of the investigation and published materials, we await the official positions of the big retail chains—Kaufland, Billa, Metro, and Lidl—which have committed to end the supply of eggs from caged farms by the end of 2025.

Warning! Some of the content contains triggering graphic images and is not suitable for sensitive viewers.

Contact: Petya Altimirska

Chair of the CAAI Association

+359 895 760 754

About CAAI

The Bulgarian organisation CAAI is a member of the international coalition Open Wing Alliance (OWA) and since 2019 has been working to end the caged farming of hens, both in Bulgaria and on European Union level.

CAAI is the representative of the European Citizens’ Initiative End The Cage Age in Bulgaria, within which nearly 1.4 million European citizens have asked the European Commission to ban cruel cage facilities in industrial livestock farming.

In Bulgaria, CAAI is running the Open Wings campaign, which encourages both consumers and businesses to opt out buying eggs with code 3. So far, over 100 Bulgarian companies have made the commitment, and a petition in support of the change has been signed by over 15,500 people.