Keel Bone Fractures in Laying Hens: A Hidden Welfare Crisis

Keel bone fractures affect a majority of laying hens in many production systems and represent one of the most prevalent welfare problems in the egg industry.

Key Facts

Studies in Europe find keel bone fractures in 50-80% of laying hens at end of lay in both cage-free and free-range systems
The keel bone is the prominent breastbone to which flight muscles attach; fractures cause chronic pain affecting movement and behaviour
Keel bone fractures most commonly occur from collisions with perches and equipment during movement between levels in multi-tier systems
Fractures are difficult to detect without handling and are rarely diagnosed in commercial laying flocks
Breeding selection for high egg production has been linked to reduced bone mineralisation and increased fracture risk
Management interventions including perch angle, lighting levels, and hen condition at point of lay affect fracture rates

Welfare Considerations

Keel bone fractures represent a welfare crisis that has accompanied the shift from cages to cage-free systems. While cage-free housing offers many welfare benefits, the injury profile has shifted rather than improved in poorly designed systems. This is not an argument for returning to cages but for improving cage-free design and management. Solutions include better system design reducing collision risk, genetic selection for bone strength alongside production traits, improved lighting management, and welfare monitoring that includes keel bone palpation. The welfare industry is aware of this problem and active improvement is occurring.

What You Can Do

Support research funding for keel bone fracture prevention in cage-free laying hen systems
Ask egg suppliers about their keel bone monitoring programs and fracture prevalence data
Advocate for keel bone welfare as a metric in all laying hen certification schemes
Encourage egg producers to invest in system design improvements that reduce keel bone injury rates