Laying hens have a diverse repertoire of natural behaviours that have specific welfare value. Meeting the full range of hen behavioural needs requires understanding what those needs are.
The welfare of laying hens depends on meeting the full diversity of their natural behavioural repertoire, not just the most intensively studied behaviours like nest use and dust bathing. Less visible behaviours — preening, wing flapping, body stretching, comfort behaviours — also have welfare significance. Systems that restrict these behaviours through space limitations, inadequate perching, or poor litter condition impose welfare costs that may be less visible than the absence of nest boxes but are real nonetheless. High-welfare housing provides sufficient space, litter, perching, and vertical dimension to allow the full range of natural hen behaviours.