Farm Animal Welfare

Bone Health in Laying Hens

Osteoporosis and bone fractures are among the most serious welfare problems affecting commercial laying hens, caused by intensive calcium demands of egg production.

Key Facts

Over 70% of end-of-lay hens have fractured bones at slaughter, predominantly keel bone fractures
Keel bone fractures cause chronic pain and affect a hen's ability to access resources
High egg production rates have been selectively bred without adequate attention to bone strength
Free-range and aviary systems allow more exercise which can improve bone strength
Fracture rates vary significantly between strains and management systems

Welfare Considerations

Bone fractures in laying hens represent a major, often underappreciated welfare problem. Keel bone fractures occur in 50-80% of hens in many commercial systems and are frequently painful. The condition is caused by the metabolic demands of continuous egg production, which deplete calcium from structural bones. Breeding programmes that select for bone strength alongside productivity, combined with higher-welfare housing, are needed urgently.

What You Can Do

Support research into lower-production hen breeds with better bone health
Choose eggs from producers who monitor and report keel bone fracture rates
Encourage supermarkets to require fracture auditing in their supply chains
Advocate for breeding standards that include bone health criteria
Reduce egg consumption or choose plant-based alternatives where possible