Farm Animals

Laying Hen Nest Box Design and Welfare

Nest box design profoundly affects the welfare of laying hens during egg laying, one of the strongest behavioural motivations in poultry.

Key Facts

Laying hens have a strongly motivated pre-laying sequence including nest site searching and settling
Inadequate nest boxes cause frustration, floor laying and injury from competition for space
RSPCA welfare standards require minimum nest box dimensions and nest box to hen ratios
Nest box litter material such as AstroTurf or shavings affects hen preference and egg hygiene
Curtained nest box entrances increase utilisation rates by providing privacy

Welfare Considerations

Denying hens appropriate nest sites during pre-laying causes significant frustration and distress - nest deprivation is among the most potent welfare stressors studied in poultry science. Well-designed nest boxes with adequate space, litter and privacy meet this fundamental need and reduce floor-laid egg problems.

What You Can Do

Support free-range and barn egg systems with high nest box standards
Choose RSPCA Assured or organic eggs to support farms meeting welfare standards
Advocate for inclusion of nest box outcome measures in farm welfare audits
Learn about laying hen behaviour and welfare from the Compassion in World Farming hen welfare pages