Farm Animals

Indoor Laying Hen Welfare Beyond Cages

While cage-free systems improve on conventional cages, indoor enriched systems still present significant welfare challenges for laying hens.

Key Facts

UK cage-free barns typically house 9 hens per square metre
Feather pecking and cannibalism are major welfare problems in cage-free flocks
Keel bone fractures affect 50-80% of hens in enriched cage and free range systems
Perches reduce keel bone damage but must be designed for safe landing
Hens in large flocks cannot establish stable social hierarchies

Welfare Considerations

The move from conventional cages to cage-free systems represents welfare progress, but cage-free does not mean welfare-free. In large flocks without adequate enrichment, laying hens experience significant fear, aggression, and injury. Keel bone fractures cause chronic pain that affects movement and feeding. Addressing these problems requires investment in enrichment, flock management, and housing design.

What You Can Do

Look beyond cage-free labels to welfare schemes with more specific standards
Support RSPCA Assured or equivalent certification for laying hens
Advocate for keel bone fracture rates to be included in welfare assessment
Choose free-range eggs from smaller flocks where possible
Back research into housing design that reduces keel bone injury