Keel Bone Fractures in Laying Hens: An Underrecognized Welfare Crisis

Keel bone fractures affect the majority of laying hens across all production systems and represent one of the largest unaddressed welfare problems in the egg industry.

Key Facts

The keel bone (sternum) is fractured in an estimated 50-80% of laying hens across conventional and cage-free systems
Fractures cause pain that alters hen behavior — affected hens spend more time sitting and less time at feeders
The keel bone is a palpation target in welfare assessment but fractures are rarely detected by farm staff
Cage-free systems have higher keel bone fracture rates than enriched cages due to collision with perches and falls
Genetics plays a major role — selection for high egg production has reduced bone density in modern breeds
Post-mortem surveys consistently reveal fracture rates far higher than ante-mortem welfare assessments suggest

Welfare Considerations

Keel bone fractures represent one of the most prevalent and underappreciated sources of chronic pain in farmed animals. The majority of laying hens across all production systems — including those certified to higher welfare standards — sustain keel bone fractures during their laying lives. The pain they cause reduces feeding behavior, increases resting time, and produces behavioral indicators of chronic discomfort. Addressing the problem requires both genetic selection for stronger bone density and exhibit design modifications that reduce collision and fall risk. The scale of the problem — affecting hundreds of millions of hens — makes this one of the highest welfare priorities in egg production.

What You Can Do

Support egg producers and certification schemes that are actively researching keel bone fracture reduction
Advocate for inclusion of keel bone fracture rates in egg welfare certification audits
Learn about the genetic and environmental factors driving keel bone fracture prevalence
Support research into laying hen breeds with improved bone density and fracture resistance