Discusses latest research on welfare issues for laying hens such as beak trimming;

Part 1 Animal health and welfare1.Laying hen nutrition: optimizing energy intake, egg size and weight: Y. Nys, Institut National de la Recherche Agronomique (INRA), France2.Laying hen nutrition: optimizing hen performance and health, bone and eggshell quality: Y. Nys, Institut National de la Recherche Agronomique (INRA), France3.Welfare of laying hens: an overview: Tina Widowski, Teresa Casey-Trott, Michelle Hunniford and Krysta Morrissey, University of Guelph, Canada4.Welfare standards for laying hens: Andy Butterworth, University of Bristol, UK5.Welfare issues affecting free-range laying hens: Dana L.M. Campbell, University of New England and CSIRO, Australia, Sarah L, Lambton, University of Bristol, UK, Isabelle Ruhnke, University of New England, Australia and Claire A. Weeks, University of Bristol, UK6.Beak trimming of laying hens: welfare costs and benefits: Dorothy McKeegan, University of Glasgow, UK7.Maintaining the health of laying hens: a practical approach: Richard M. Fulton, Michigan State University, USA8.Managing laying hen flocks with intact beaks: Thea van Niekerk, Wageningen Livestock Research, The NetherlandsPart 2 Sustainability 9.Waste management in egg production: Ruihong Zhang, University of California at Davis, USA; and Hamed. M. El- Mashad, University of California at Davis, USA and Mansoura University, Egypt10.Assessing the sustainability of organic egg production: Jacqueline Jacob and Anthony Pescatore, University of Kentucky, USA