Laying Hen Keel Bone Fracture Welfare Problem

Keel bone fractures are among the most prevalent welfare problems in laying hen flocks worldwide. Understanding the causes and mitigations of this injury is critical for improving hen welfare.

Key Facts

Keel bone fractures affect between 50% and 80% of laying hens in most commercial systems
Fractures cause chronic pain that affects feeding behaviour, movement, and quality of life
Keel bone fractures are more common in furnished cages and free-range systems than conventional cages
Collisions with perches and falls from height are major causes of keel bone injury
Genetic selection for stronger keel bones is underway but progress is slow
Fractures are detectable through palpation but are rarely assessed routinely on commercial farms

Welfare Considerations

Keel bone fractures represent a pervasive welfare crisis across virtually all commercial laying hen housing systems. The high prevalence of chronic pain-causing fractures means that most commercially produced eggs come from hens experiencing ongoing suffering. Addressing this requires a combination of genetic improvement, housing design changes including lower perch heights and better ramp access, and routine welfare monitoring. Consumer and regulatory pressure for keel bone welfare standards is urgently needed.

What You Can Do

Advocate for keel bone fracture prevalence to be included in egg welfare certification standards
Support genetic research programmes aimed at improving keel bone strength
Choose eggs from farms that monitor and publish keel bone injury rates
Reduce egg consumption or switch to plant-based alternatives to reduce demand from affected flocks
Support regulatory reform requiring minimum keel bone welfare standards in all egg production systems