The welfare of pullets during rearing profoundly affects their subsequent welfare and performance as laying hens, making rearing system quality critically important.
The pullet rearing period is welfare-critical yet receives far less attention than the laying period itself. Pullets reared in systems that allow early access to perches, ranging behaviour and appropriate social environments develop stronger bones, better behavioural repertoires and fewer welfare problems as adult layers. The mismatch between rearing and laying environments is a recognised trigger for welfare problems including feather pecking and keel bone fractures. Aligning rearing with laying system requirements is a high-priority welfare intervention.