The transportation of laying hens from pullet facilities to laying barns, and ultimately to slaughter, causes significant stress and injury. Improving transit conditions is an overlooked welfare opportunity.
Transport welfare for laying hens is a significant but less visible welfare issue compared to housing conditions. Hens may be caught by one leg for loading, causing fractures in birds already weakened by osteoporosis from high egg production. Crate-based transport in temperature extremes causes thermal stress and dehydration. Reducing journey times, improving crate design, training catching crews, and expanding on-farm slaughter options are all practical interventions. Welfare auditing of transport should be included in egg certification schemes alongside housing standards.