Farm Animal Welfare

Poultry Welfare and End-of-Lay Management

End-of-lay management for hens is a major welfare event. Options including re-homing, on-farm killing, and slaughter have different welfare profiles requiring careful consideration.

Key Facts

Commercial laying hens are typically slaughtered or managed out at around 72 weeks
Re-homing ex-commercial hens is popular but creates welfare responsibilities
On-farm killing using approved methods avoids transport stress for spent hens
Slaughter plant welfare for spent hens including catching is a significant welfare concern
Moulting to extend production causes welfare problems and is banned in the EU

Welfare Considerations

End-of-lay management is a major welfare decision affecting hundreds of millions of hens annually. Re-homing programmes have positive welfare outcomes for individual birds, while commercial slaughter routes require continued welfare improvement.

What You Can Do

Consider adopting ex-commercial hens through re-homing organisations
Support organisations that facilitate ex-commercial hen re-homing
Advocate for improved welfare standards at end-of-lay slaughter
Learn about the welfare considerations of ex-commercial hen keeping