The article highlights the evolution of poultry farming in the European Union, with a focus on Poland, revealing a significant shift towards cage-free systems. In 2024, the EU sees a major shift, with 60.3% of chickens reared in alternative systems, a marked contrast to 2010's 34.5% figure. Poland emerges as the second largest market, with 51 million laying hens, although a majority (76.2%) still reside in cages. However, Poland is witnessing a surge in cage-free farming, which rose from 19% in 2021 to 23.8% in 2022. Western European countries lead the way with a higher adoption rate of cage-free practices, reflecting a growing emphasis on poultry welfare and the quality of livestock products.