Perching is a fundamental behaviour for chickens that provides physical and psychological welfare benefits. Adequate perch provision is essential in all laying hen systems.
The motivation to perch, especially at night, is among the strongest drives in domestic hens. Deprivation causes frustration and abnormal behaviours. Perching also provides physiological benefits: it strengthens bone density through weight-bearing activity, and birds with perch access show lower rates of osteoporosis and keel bone fractures. Provision of adequate perch length per bird and appropriate height is a cost-effective welfare improvement.