Keel bone fractures are one of the most prevalent and serious welfare problems in laying hens, affecting the majority of birds in most commercial systems by end of lay.
Keel bone fractures represent a profound welfare paradox in egg production — the transition from battery cages to cage-free systems, driven by welfare concerns, has created a new epidemic of painful chronic injuries. The majority of cage-free hens finish their productive lives with at least one fractured keel bone, causing ongoing pain that impairs normal behavior and resource access. Addressing this requires coordinated action across genetics (breeding fracture-resistant birds), housing design (safer perch systems), and management practices. The existence of this problem should accelerate rather than halt the cage-free transition, but accompanied by genuine investment in solving the fracture problem.