Environmental enrichment dramatically improves the welfare of laying hens by allowing them to express natural behaviors essential to their wellbeing.
Laying hens have complex behavioral needs that evolved over millions of years. When kept in environments that prevent natural behaviors, hens experience chronic frustration that compromises their welfare. The five behavioral needs most critical to hen welfare are nesting, perching, dust bathing, foraging, and adequate space for social behavior. Research clearly demonstrates that providing enrichment elements dramatically reduces suffering without compromising production. This is an area where welfare science can directly guide industry reform.