Hen Perch Design and Bone Health in Laying Systems

Perch design in laying hen housing significantly affects bone health, foot condition, and welfare, with poorly designed perches contributing to the high rates of keel bone fractures seen in modern laying systems.

Key Facts

Keel bone fractures affect an estimated 50-80% of hens in aviary and conventional cage-free systems
Perch height, diameter, material, and placement all influence keel bone fracture risk
Hens jumping from high perches at night account for a significant proportion of fractures
Round perches promote more natural foot posture than flat or square perches
Perch placement near walls or at graduated heights reduces jump distance and fracture risk
Perch access is essential for welfare as hens have strong motivation to roost at height
Fractures cause chronic pain that alters hen movement, feeding behavior, and bone quality further

Welfare Considerations

Keel bone fractures represent one of the most significant and prevalent welfare problems in modern laying hen production. The irony is that the move from battery cages to cage-free and aviary systems improved some welfare dimensions while introducing this new endemic fracture problem. Perch design is a modifiable factor within existing systems — research has identified specific interventions that reduce fracture prevalence substantially. Implementing evidence-based perch standards represents an achievable welfare improvement that the industry can make within current housing systems while longer-term solutions are developed.

What You Can Do

Support hen welfare standards that specify evidence-based perch design requirements
Choose eggs from producers participating in keel bone fracture reduction programs
Advocate for research funding on perch design and fracture prevention in laying systems
Encourage certification bodies to include keel bone fracture prevalence in welfare audits
Support transition to slower-growing dual-purpose breeds that may have lower fracture susceptibility