Spent laying hens represent one of the most welfare-neglected livestock categories; their low market value means transport and slaughter standards are often inadequate relative to the large numbers involved.
The welfare of spent laying hens has historically been neglected because their low economic value provides little commercial incentive for improvement. Fragile bones from calcium mobilisation for eggshell production make spent hens particularly susceptible to transport-related injury. The slaughter of birds worth less than the cost of humane slaughter creates systemic under-investment in welfare at this critical stage.