They called it 'state of the art' — but the lives led by 'forgotten' hens trapped inside this 'Egg Corp Assured' PACE factory farm will leave you stunned...

Isolated incident? Sadly, no. Investigators have reported seeing live hens trapped in manure pits beneath tiers of battery cages in other factory farms too.

Surviving on scraps, bugs, and eggs Dozens of hens trapped in this manure pit did not have visible access to feed or water, but were seen to be surviving on manure beetles and their own eggs.

'Lucky' ones? As putrid as it is to live among rotting faeces, these hens could at least move, stretch their wings, and lay their eggs in private — freedoms denied to their caged sisters.

Falling through the cracks — literally Live hens sometimes 'escape' when workers routinely remove the carcasses of birds who die inside cages. These hens are believed to have fallen into the pits below.

Evidence of long-term abandonment Varying degrees of feather re-growth would suggest that hens have been living in the manure pit for varying lengths of time — from several days to many months.

Rooster? Investigators filmed what appears to be a rooster among the colony of hens trapped in the manure pit. Defeathered, he too will have endured a year or more in a cage.

'Egg Corp Assured' Like many egg factory farms, this PACE farm is "Egg Corp Assured", which according to the industry is "a mark of a quality product produced under strict guidelines."

Ties to the very top of the egg industry Eggs from this farm are sold under the PACE brand — the owner of which serves on the board of the peak industry body, the Australian Egg Corporation Limited.

'State of the art' facility The PACE website describes its farms as 'state of the art', boasting the 'highest standards in animal husbandry'.

120,000 birds — on one 'farm' In massive factory farms like this, it is impossible to monitor the welfare of individual animals. Rather, a key measure of 'success' is how many birds remain alive.

Repeatedly reported for animal cruelty This is the second time in as many years that Animals Australia has reported this PACE farm to authorities for serious breaches of animal welfare laws.

'Get a ladder' After receiving Animals Australia's 2013 complaint, authorities instructed farm management to 'get a ladder' in order to be able to see hens in the 5th tier of cages.

Neglected hens; rotting carcasses This hen was one of several found standing on the bodies of rotting cage-mates in 2013 — revealing that hens' health had not been properly monitored for weeks.

Illegal overcrowding in 2013 Animals Australia first reported illegal overcrowding in this PACE egg farm in 2013. Up to six laying hens were found crammed inside many of the cages.

Illegal overcrowding in 2014 Over a year later, the same farm has been re-reported by Animals Australia for confining more birds per cage than is permitted by law.

Visible signs of long-term stress These hens are "defeathered" — why? Apart from rubbing up against wire all day, stressed hens resort to pecking at their cage mates out of boredom and frustration.

Complete failure of the auditing system Even after being officially reported for cruelty, industry-funded audits have completely failed to ensure even the most minimum animal welfare standards are being met.

An inherently cruel and outdated system The barren battery cage has already been banned in the European Union for unacceptable cruelty. Hens suffering in Australian battery cages need your voice.

You can help end this madness Hens are sensitive animals with unique personalities who don't deserve a lifetime of suffering. Help free these amazing animals from suffering by taking action now!

THE SOLUTION: phase out the inherently cruel cage egg system.

When animals who live trapped among towers of rotting excrement have a better quality of life than those still 'in the system' — the question must be asked: how is this system still legal?

In many countries, it isn't. The laws that govern Australian egg farms were due for review years ago. But this critical review has only just begun. Meanwhile, the barren battery cage has been banned throughout the European Union.

Australia is failing desperately in its obligation to protect animals. And in more ways than one.

This new investigation has exposed an even darker side to the cage egg industry: that birds can 'live' and die — with no independent person having ever set eyes on them. This is because there is no requirement for routine, independent auditing or oversight of factory farms in Australia.

This is an industry that will squeeze every last dollar out of every last animal if given the chance.

Don't let them.

Take action today by demanding a ban on the battery cage in Australia.