Aviary Systems for Laying Hens | Animal Welfare Hub

Aviary systems give laying hens vertical space and perching opportunities but require careful management for good welfare outcomes.

Key Facts

Aviaries allow hens to use multiple tiers for perching, feeding, and resting
UK and EU regulations require furnished accommodation for all laying hens from 2012
Bone strength is better in aviary-housed hens than in cage systems due to exercise opportunities
Keel bone fractures affect 50-80% of hens in aviary systems due to collision with structures
Smothering and injection of birds into lower levels are welfare risks in poorly managed aviaries

Welfare Considerations

Aviaries represent a significant improvement over cages for hen welfare, providing space to move, perch, and express more natural behaviours. However, keel bone fracture rates in aviaries remain unacceptably high and cause ongoing pain. Perch design, positioning, and lighting management are critical to reducing collision injuries. Flock size within units, air quality, and litter management also strongly affect welfare outcomes. Transition to free-range should be the long-term goal.

What You Can Do

Choose free-range or organic eggs over barn or aviary eggs
Support research into aviary designs that reduce keel bone fracture rates
Advocate for mandatory welfare outcome monitoring in all poultry systems
Engage with retailers to improve welfare standards across their entire egg supply chains