Farm Animals

Hen Perch Use and Bone Health

Providing and encouraging perch use in laying hens dramatically improves bone health and reduces osteoporosis.

Key Facts

Osteoporosis affects nearly all laying hens due to calcium mobilization for egg production
Perch use increases bone density by up to 40% compared to floor-only housing
Pullets trained to perch continue using them as hens — early training matters
Bone fractures during catching and transport cause pain to 25-35% of commercial hens

Welfare Considerations

Laying hen osteoporosis is an under-recognized welfare crisis. Hens mobilize bone calcium for eggshell production, progressively weakening their skeleton. Exercise — particularly wing flapping and perch use — maintains bone density. The result is that bone fractures are endemic in both cage and cage-free systems. Perch provision from an early age is one of the most welfare-impactful interventions in egg production.

What You Can Do

Support egg production systems that require perch access from pullet age
Advocate for bone health as a welfare metric in egg production standards
Choose eggs from systems with documented high perch use rates
Support research into practical interventions reducing hen osteoporosis