Impact of space on the welfare of free-range layers

Consumers base their purchasing decisions often on aspects of animal welfare. An important factor in the case of free-range eggs is the potential access to an outdoor area for laying hens, even though access to an outdoor area may increase risks for predators, parasites, and environmental contaminations. It is known that access to an outdoor area is beneficial for the welfare of laying hens as it increases their possibilities to express a wider range of normal behaviour patterns. High use of th