This experiment examined the behavioural responses of two strains of laying hens to a number of startling stimuli when housed in two types of cages. The hen strains were DeKalb Delta and Hy-Line W36. The cages were either solid walled or open walled. The startling stimuli involved taping on the cages, loud noises, etc. The birds were observed for 30 minutes after being startled to record the behavioural response to the startle and the time required for the birds to return to normal behaviour. Minor differences were observed, but overall the authors conclude that cage type did not affect the response of the two strains to startling stimuli nor their return to normal behaviour. Neither solid nor open walled cages adversely affected the birds, nor did they confer any obvious advantages to the birds in handling stress.