The amount of space provided to laying hens profoundly affects their ability to perform natural behaviors and maintain physical and psychological health.
Space deprivation prevents hens from performing evolutionarily driven behaviors including wing-flapping, dust-bathing, foraging, and nesting. Birds in severely restricted conditions develop stereotypies, feather-pecking, and elevated stress hormones. Research consistently links higher space allowance with improved welfare outcomes including reduced fearfulness, better plumage, and lower mortality. However, even cage-free systems can have welfare problems if poorly managed, including poor air quality and disease pressure.