Farm Animals

Laying Hen Welfare and Bone Density

Osteoporosis is endemic in laying hens due to calcium mobilisation for egg production, causing painful fractures particularly during depopulation.

Key Facts

Hens divert calcium from bones to eggshell production throughout the laying period
Bone mineral density decreases progressively through the laying cycle
Humerus and keel fractures occur readily during handling and transport
Exercise through perch access partially compensates for calcium loss
Genetic selection can improve bone density alongside production traits

Welfare Considerations

Bone disease in laying hens is a structural consequence of their extreme egg production rates that prioritise eggshell calcium over skeletal integrity. Every hen completing a laying cycle has compromised bone density compared to the start of lay. Perch use, appropriate calcium supplementation, and breeding for both production and bone strength address this welfare problem. End-of-life handling must account for fragile bones to prevent fractures during depopulation.

What You Can Do

Support welfare standards requiring perch access improving bone health
Advocate for bone density assessment in laying hen breeding selection programmes
Choose eggs from systems with lower laying intensity and perch access
Support research into nutritional and genetic approaches to improving laying hen bone health
Engage with egg industry commitments to reducing end-of-lay welfare problems