Under the EU regulations, all cages designed for commercial laying hens should meet the specifications
of enriched cages. In addition, the European Union allows and even promotes the housing of
layers in barn and free-range systems. However, not every breed and commercial line is suitable
for each of these systems in terms of productivity and quality of eggs. These factors have an effect
on the profitability of poultry production, which is the main criterion determining the choice of
a system by the producer. The current state of the art is insufficient to determine which system
has the most favourable effects on performance of laying hens and quality of their eggs, because
research results are inconclusive. Therefore, further studies and observations are needed to show
differences in the adaptability of different hen breeds to different production systems. This will
make it possible to optimize housing conditions in accordance with the principles of welfare and
proper choice of layer breeds and commercial lines so as to maximize production and economic
results while making the hens resistant to production stress.