Farmed Hen Perch Design and Keel Bone Welfare

Keel bone fractures affect the majority of laying hens in commercial aviaries. Perch design is a critical and often overlooked factor in preventing this painful, prevalent welfare problem.

Key Facts

Studies show 50-80% of laying hens in enriched colony cages have keel bone fractures or damage
Keel bone fractures cause chronic pain affecting feeding, perching, and movement behavior
Round plastic perches cause more keel bone damage than oval or padded alternatives
Hens with fractured keels show reduced willingness to use perches despite their importance for behavior
Fracture rates vary significantly between facilities, indicating that management can reduce risk
Genetic selection for egg production has increased bone mineral depletion contributing to fracture risk

Welfare Considerations

Keel bone fractures represent one of the most prevalent and underaddressed welfare problems in egg production globally. The pain from fractured keels is chronic, affecting every movement, perching attempt, and nesting behavior throughout a hen's productive life. Unlike visible injuries, keel fractures require palpation or post-mortem examination to detect, meaning most are invisible to routine inspections. Welfare-focused interventions include perch diameter and material optimization, slower-maturing breed selection, and calcium-adequate nutrition protocols.

What You Can Do

Choose eggs from farms with documented low keel bone fracture rates where available
Support cage-free standards that include perch design specifications
Advocate for routine keel bone monitoring as part of welfare audit standards
Reduce or eliminate egg consumption to decrease demand for products linked to this welfare problem
Support research into perch design optimization and genetic selection for bone strength