Laying hens at end of productive life face welfare challenges in transport and slaughter, often killed using methods with lower welfare standards than broiler chickens.
Laying hens at end of productive life are often transported in conditions worse than broilers due to lower economic value justifying less transport investment. Hens after long laying periods are in poorer physical condition with fragile bones from calcium mobilisation, increasing fracture risk during catching and transport. Male chicks that cannot lay eggs are killed at hatch using maceration (instant) or gas stunning (with variable welfare). End-of-life welfare for laying hens is often given less attention than production-phase welfare despite the significant numbers involved.