Farm Animals

Hen Keel Bone Fractures Welfare

Keel bone fractures in laying hens are epidemic in many housing systems, causing chronic pain that significantly compromises welfare.

Key Facts

Keel bone fractures affect 50-80% of hens in enriched colony and free-range systems
Fractures occur from collision with hard structures during landing from elevated perches
Hens with keel fractures show pain indicators including altered posture and reduced activity
Selective breeding for fracture resistance and perch modification can reduce fracture rates

Welfare Considerations

Keel bone fractures represent one of the most significant but overlooked welfare problems in commercial egg production. They cause chronic pain that affects hen behavior and welfare throughout the laying period. The prevalence in free-range and enriched systems is actually higher than in conventional cages, demonstrating that welfare improvements in one dimension can create new problems requiring attention.

What You Can Do

Support research into breeding and housing modifications that reduce keel bone fractures
Advocate for keel bone fracture assessment in laying hen welfare auditing
Choose egg producers who document and manage keel bone fracture prevalence
Support development of perch designs that reduce landing impact forces