Incubation and rearing strategies to reduce feather pecking in laying hens

Feather pecking and cannibalism in laying hens remain challenging in free-range systems despite early-life interventions. The PPILOW project (Horizon 2020, grant 816172) tested incubation lighting, foraging enrichment with insect larvae, and outdoor range design. While green light and larval enrichment improved foraging behavior, they did not reduce feather pecking. Crucially, access to a covered veranda during confinement significantly reduced feather damage. Hens preferred open areas over wooded zones. Long-term environmental design, especially veranda access, was more influential than rearing treatments. Findings support optimizing outdoor space and consistent enrichment to improve welfare. Published in Poultry Science (Kliphaus et al., 2023, 2024; Vanden Hole et al., in press).