Hen Behaviour and Enrichment in Cage-Free Systems

Understanding laying hen behaviour in cage-free systems is essential for designing housing that genuinely enables natural behaviour rather than merely removing physical confinement.

Key Facts

Hens have strong motivation to perch at height, particularly for sleeping, which is a key safety behaviour
Nest box use is a highly motivated behaviour - hens will work hard for nest access
Dust bathing is performed daily when substrate is available and is clearly rewarding to hens
Foraging occupies 50-60% of a wild junglefowl's waking time, reflecting deep motivational drive
Litter quality is a critical welfare determinant in cage-free systems - poor litter causes footpad lesions
Keel bone fractures affect 50-80% of hens in some cage-free systems due to falls from perches
Feather pecking and cannibalism in large flocks require active management through enrichment and lighting

Welfare Considerations

Cage-free systems remove physical confinement but do not automatically deliver good welfare. Housing design, management practices, stocking density, and enrichment provision together determine whether cage-free hens actually experience better lives. The transition away from cages must be accompanied by genuine investment in understanding and meeting hen behavioural needs.

What You Can Do

Choose cage-free, free-range, or organic eggs and understand the differences between these standards
Ask producers and retailers about keel bone fracture rates and feather pecking management
Support certification schemes that include litter quality and perch provision in their standards
Advocate for cage-free transition policies to be accompanied by welfare outcome monitoring
Support research into design improvements that reduce keel bone fractures in cage-free systems