Perches are essential for laying hen welfare, satisfying roosting motivation and building bone density, but poor design causes the keel bone fractures that affect the majority of hens.
Perch design represents a genuine welfare tradeoff — perches are essential for behavioral welfare (satisfying roosting motivation and building bone strength) but poorly designed perches contribute to the keel bone fracture epidemic in laying hens. Round perches at inappropriate heights with inadequate spacing cause collision injuries during the landing approach and uncomfortable grasping angles. Oval or flat perches, appropriate ramp access, and careful height spacing reduce fracture incidence while maintaining behavioral benefit. The goal is perches that hens actively want to use, can access safely, and can sleep on comfortably without injury — a design challenge that welfare science is progressively solving.