Feather pecking is a major welfare problem in layer hen flocks, leading to feather loss, wounds, and cannibalism. Management strategies combining lighting, nutrition, enrichment, and genetic selection are more effective than beak trimming alone.
Feather loss exposes skin to further trauma and increases thermoregulatory costs, requiring hens to consume more feed to maintain body temperature. Wounds cause ongoing pain and become fly-strike sites. Welfare-centred prevention focuses on low stocking density, access to foraging substrate from a young age, ad libitum access to high-fibre feed, reduced light intensity, and selection of genetically calmer laying lines. Monitoring flock feather cover score weekly enables early detection and intervention before casualties occur.