Farm Animals

Laying Hen Feather Pecking Prevention

Feather pecking is a serious welfare problem in laying hens, causing injury, stress, and sometimes death. Prevention requires addressing root causes in housing and management.

Key Facts

Feather pecking affects up to 80% of flocks in some housing systems
Low-feathered hens have higher stress hormone levels
Causes include boredom, high stocking density, and nutritional deficiencies
Beak trimming reduces injury but does not address root causes
Enriched environments with foraging opportunities reduce incidence significantly

Welfare Considerations

Severe feather pecking results in open wounds, increased infection risk, and sometimes cannibalism. Birds experiencing pecking show pain responses and altered behaviour. Addressing environmental and social root causes is preferable to beak trimming as a solution.

What You Can Do

Support cage-free and enriched systems with adequate foraging provision
Advocate for beak trimming phase-out alongside improved housing standards
Choose eggs from farms with low rates of feather pecking