Although the concept of the get-away cage for laying hens originated in the UK in the early 1970s, most development has been undertaken in other countries, particularly in the FRG at Celle. After a series of seven experiments, each involving =4000 hens, it is concluded that forms of the system which include nest boxes and perches are capable of supporting performance levels that are similar to those obtained from birds in conventional cages. Whilst extra capital and labour costs might be expected to be up to 5% above those for normal cages, real welfare benefits are believed to result from opportunities the birds have to express an enlarged range of behaviours.