Feather pecking is one of the most damaging and widespread welfare problems in commercial laying hen production. Understanding its causes and evidence-based solutions is essential for meaningful improvement.
Feather pecking causes acute and chronic welfare harm — birds that are pecked experience pain and skin damage, while birds that peck are driven by frustration and thwarted foraging behaviour. The standard industry response — beak trimming — addresses the symptom rather than the cause and itself causes acute pain and potential chronic pain at the trimmed site. Welfare-positive solutions target the motivational drivers through enriched environments, appropriate stocking densities, and nutritional management — approaches that require investment but are achievable in commercial systems.