Farm Animal Welfare

Laying Hen End-of-Lay Welfare and Mortality

At the end of their productive life, laying hens face transportation to slaughter under conditions poorly suited to their depleted physical state.

Key Facts

Commercial laying hens are slaughtered at 12-18 months of age when production declines
End-of-lay birds have severely depleted calcium reserves and high rates of osteoporosis
Fracture rates during catching of end-of-lay hens exceed 50% in some studies
Transport stress in depleted birds causes high on-arrival mortality at slaughter plants
Some facilities use on-farm killing to reduce transport welfare costs for end-of-lay birds

Welfare Considerations

End-of-lay welfare is a neglected area compared to welfare during production. Birds weakened by intensive egg production are least equipped to handle the stresses of catching, transport, and slaughter. On-farm humane killing, where feasible, avoids the transport stress that causes significant suffering in this vulnerable population.

What You Can Do

Support egg producers using on-farm humane killing for end-of-lay birds
Advocate for welfare-at-slaughter standards specifically designed for spent hens
Choose eggs from lower-intensity systems where end-of-lay protocols are audited
Support organizations campaigning for end-of-lay welfare reform