Egg-laying hens are among the most numerous farmed animals. Meeting their behavioral needs in commercial systems requires understanding what enrichments provide the greatest welfare benefit.
Laying hen welfare improvements over recent decades have been driven by evidence about which behaviors hens are most highly motivated to perform. Nesting behavior before egg laying is among the highest-priority motivations — hens confined without nest access show extreme distress. Perching at height satisfies natural predator-avoidance instincts. Dust bathing is performed intensively when substrate is available, suggesting high intrinsic value to the animal. The transition from conventional cages to cage-free systems improves welfare for these core behavioral needs but requires careful management of air quality, litter condition, and social behavior to prevent feather pecking and disease. Well-managed cage-free systems with enrichment represent a genuine welfare improvement.