Keel bone fractures affect 50-80% of laying hens in cage-free systems, causing chronic pain throughout the production period, yet remain largely invisible to consumers and are inadequately addressed in most welfare standards.
Keel bone fractures represent the largest welfare problem in cage-free laying systems and a significant blind spot in consumer understanding of cage-free welfare. Hens that fracture keel bones in falls from perches or during wing flapping carry those fractures for the rest of their production lives, causing chronic pain with every movement. Addressing this welfare problem requires attention to perch design, lighting, and breeding.