Hens have a strong, natural instinct to perch and ‘raised perches’ in laying hen houses provide them with the perfect refuge to rest and preen.

This is why the updated RSPCA welfare standards for laying hens include more requirements for farmers to install raised perches for their birds.

Research and practical experience have shown that giving hens the chance to perch can mean they experience less frustration, reduced aggression and improved body condition.

It’s very important to ensure perches are built in the right way. Hens naturally want to use them, but they can find badly designed or positioned perches difficult to navigate.

Therefore, the RSPCA welfare standards ensure perches are positioned in a way that makes it easier for hens to access the perches and land safely.

RSPCA farm animal welfare scientist and laying hen welfare expert Mia Fernyhough said: "It's similar to children in a playground.

"Here they can get bumps, bruises, scrapes and broken bones, but the broader benefits of providing an environment where a range of important behaviours can be performed outweighs these harms.

"What's most important is that the risk of harm is reduced as much as possible by ensuring perches are appropriately designed, positioned and maintained."