Perches are a critical welfare resource for laying hens, enabling natural roosting behaviour, reducing aggression, and improving bone strength. Their provision and design significantly affect flock welfare.
Keel bone fractures affect the majority of laying hens in commercial systems and cause chronic pain that reduces feed intake, mobility, and quality of life. The keel bone, which anchors the flight muscles, is frequently fractured during landing from perches when poorly designed, or through collisions in barren, crowded environments. Paradoxically, perch use causes keel bone fractures when perch design is poor, but also builds the bone density that reduces fracture risk with good design. High-welfare perch systems use appropriate dimensions, strategic placement to avoid collision risks during landing, and sufficient numbers to allow all birds simultaneous access. Breed selection for improved bone strength is also underway in the industry.