Farm Animals

Keel Bone Fractures in Laying Hens

Keel bone fractures affect the majority of laying hens in cage-free systems and cause significant chronic pain.

Key Facts

Over 50-80% of hens in aviaries have keel bone fractures
Keel fractures occur from collision with perches and hard landings
Fractures cause chronic pain that affects feeding and movement behavior
Pain assessment studies confirm hens modify behavior to protect fractured keels
Conventional cages prevent keel fractures but cause worse overall welfare

Welfare Considerations

Keel bone fractures represent a significant and largely unaddressed welfare problem in cage-free and aviary systems. The fractures cause chronic pain lasting weeks to months. While cage-free systems offer other welfare improvements, the high fracture rate undermines the welfare case unless addressed through perch design, litter management, and genetic selection.

What You Can Do

Support research on keel bone fracture prevention
Advocate for welfare auditing that includes keel bone assessment
Choose products from farms proactively addressing keel bone welfare
Support breeding programs selecting for bone strength
Raise awareness that cage-free does not eliminate hen suffering