This study aimed to investigate the effect of l‐carnitine and energy level and on oxidant/antioxidant balance in laying hens subjected to high stocking density. A total of 176, 32‐week‐old laying hens were assigned to eight groups with four replicates and hens in four groups were placed at the normal stocking densities of 500 cm2/hen (four hens per cage) and in the remaining four groups were placed at the high stocking densities of 287.5 cm2/hen (seven hens per cage). Hens received diets of high (2,850 kcal/kg ME) or normal (2,650 kcal/kg ME) energy which are supplemented with 0 or 200 mg/kg l‐carnitine for 70 days. Results showed that exposure to high stocking density increased (p < .05) plasma malondialdehyde (MDA) and nitric oxide (NO) levels and decreased (p < .05) erythrocyte superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) and superoxide dismutase (GPx) activities. l‐carnitine supplementation increased (p < .05) erythrocyte SOD, CAT and GPx activities, and decreased (p <.05) MDA and NO level in high stocking densities. The oxidan/antioxidan balance of birds was not influenced by increasing dietary energy level. The results of the present study indicate that the supplementation of l‐carnitine to the birds subjected to high stocking density could effectively reverse the negative effects of high stocking density by improving oxidant/antioxidant balance. Therefore, l‐carnitine supplementation at level of 200 mg/kg to diet may be as a favourable alternative to deal with oxidative stress caused by high stocking density in laying hens.