Advice released on keeping hens feathered

A four-page guide that shows poultry farmers how to help prevent feather-loss in laying hens has been released.

The booklet has been put together jointly by the RSPCA, the Soil Association and the University of Bristol, in order to help combat what they say is a "key welfare issue".

Feather-loss takes number of management strategies to combat, according to the guide. It says that the most common reason hens lose feathers is due to other hens pecking them, usually because of limited foraging opportunities and poor litter quality.

The guide, which covers the causes of feather loss, best practice for keeping free-range, barn and organic hens with good feather cover, and managing a feather-loss problem, is fully supported by the British Egg Industry Council.

RSPCA senior scientific officer for farm animals, Alice Clark, said: "We are so pleased to be part of such a positive collaborative effort to hep find solutions to this key welfare issue affecting laying hens."