Farm Animal Welfare

Poultry Hen Welfare at End of Lay

The welfare of laying hens at end of lay - when they are caught, transported and slaughtered - is a significant welfare challenge, with the disposal of spent hens sometimes receiving less attention than the laying period.

Key Facts

End-of-lay hens typically have a laying period of 72-80 weeks
Catching and loading causes acute stress and injury in spent hens
Spent hen processing often uses slaughter methods with less welfare focus than primary poultry
Some farms now donate spent hens to rehoming organisations
Carbon dioxide stunning in containers is increasingly used for end-of-lay depopulation

Welfare Considerations

The welfare of hens at end of their productive life is an ethical responsibility that mirrors their welfare during laying. Birds that have produced hundreds of eggs deserve appropriate end-of-life handling. Controlled atmosphere stunning before depopulation, gentle catching methods and appropriate transport conditions extend welfare consideration to this often-overlooked phase of production.

What You Can Do

Support laying hen rehoming organisations that rescue spent hens
Choose egg producers with documented end-of-lay welfare protocols
Advocate for end-of-lay welfare standards to be included in laying hen certification