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Photos: Cage-free egg production in San Diego County

Hilliker manages his cage-free flock.

Hilliker manages his cage-free flock.

  (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)

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Since California passed a measure requiring more space for egg-laying hens in 2008, Washington, Oregon, Arizona, Michigan and Ohio have enacted laws regulating hen housing, while activists in Massachusetts have launched a similar measure aimed at the 2016 presidential ballot.

Cage-free egg production in San Diego County

Eight thousand Leghorn chickens roam about a cage-free aviary system in Lakeside, Calif.

  (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)

Cage-free egg production in San Diego County

Hilliker’s Ranch Fresh Eggs has converted one barn so far to cage-free, and others are planned.

  (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)

Cage-free egg production in San Diego County

The Hilliker’s Ranch Fresh Eggs compound.

  (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)

Cage-free egg production in San Diego County

Third-generation farmer Frank Hilliker checks on his 8,000 hens.

  (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)

Cage-free egg production in San Diego County

Free of a small cage, a white Leghorn takes flight at Hilliker’s Ranch Fresh Eggs.

  (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)

Cage-free egg production in San Diego County

Lisa Hilliker uses lights to candle eggs to make sure they are good for sale at Hilliker’s Ranch Fresh Eggs.

  (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)

Cage-free egg production in San Diego County

Jason Sanford uses a suction cup machine to load the eggs on to a conveyor belt.

  (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)

Cage-free egg production in San Diego County

Eggs are put on a conveyor belt.

  (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)

Cage-free egg production in San Diego County

One dozen Hilliker eggs.

  (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)

Cage-free egg production in San Diego County

Sue Cox of Lakeside, Calif., holds a flat of eggs she bought at Hilliker’s.

  (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)

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