Farmed Animals

Perch Access for Laying Hens

Perching is a fundamental behavioural need for laying hens that is denied in many commercial housing systems.

Key Facts

Hens spend around 50 percent of night roosting on elevated perches
Perching improves bone strength and reduces keel bone fractures
Keel bone fractures affect 50-80 percent of commercial laying hens
Colony cages often provide inadequate perch space per bird
Free-range and barn systems generally provide better perch access

Welfare Considerations

Denial of perch access causes chronic frustration and contributes to severe skeletal problems in laying hens. Keel bone fractures are one of the most significant welfare problems in egg production worldwide and are closely linked to inadequate perching opportunities.

What You Can Do

Buy eggs from free-range or organic systems with good perch provision
Advocate for cage-free standards in your country
Support research into housing designs that prevent keel bone fractures
Ask your supermarket about its egg welfare commitments