Nesting Behaviour in Laying Hens

Nesting is one of the most strongly motivated behaviours in laying hens, and its frustration in cage systems causes significant psychological distress before egg-laying.

Key Facts

Hens show pre-laying restlessness and distress lasting up to 90 minutes when denied nest access
In nature, hens seek secluded, enclosed sites and spend considerable time selecting and preparing a nest
Nest boxes in barn and free-range systems are frequently overcrowded, causing queuing and aggression
Furnished cages include a small nest area but this is often shared by too many birds
Hens will work hard to access a nest box, demonstrating the strength of their motivation

Welfare Considerations

The motivation to nest is one of the clearest examples of an animal welfare need supported by robust scientific evidence. Hens denied suitable nest access experience a form of frustration that causes observable distress — they pace, vocalise, and show physiological stress indicators. Even hens in furnished cages with nest areas often cannot access them due to competition. Free-range and barn systems with adequate, well-designed nest boxes best meet this need, though management quality determines actual outcomes.

What You Can Do

Choose eggs from free-range or barn systems with documented nest box ratios
Advocate for minimum nest box standards in all commercial laying hen systems
Support research into nest box design that reduces competition and improves access
Encourage farm assurance bodies to include nest box adequacy in welfare assessments
Educate others about the importance of nesting behaviour for hen welfare