Laying Hen Perch Use and Bone Welfare: Addressing Osteoporosis in Egg Production

Laying hens suffer from osteoporosis due to calcium depletion for egg production. Perch use and exercise are among the most effective interventions for maintaining bone health and welfare.

Key Facts

Osteoporosis affects virtually all commercial laying hens as bone calcium is continuously mobilised for eggshell formation
In conventional cages where hens cannot exercise, structural bone quality deteriorates dramatically
Perch use activates bone formation pathways, with hens that use perches regularly showing significantly better bone quality
Bone fractures during handling at end of lay are extremely common, with some studies finding fractures in over 40 per cent of hens
Exercise and locomotion more generally improve bone density by stimulating bone remodelling through mechanical loading
Appropriate perch design including diameter, material, and height affects whether hens use perches voluntarily
Dietary calcium management and lighting programmes that allow adequate resting time also influence bone health

Welfare Considerations

Osteoporosis and the resulting fracture risk represent a systemic welfare problem affecting laying hens that extends from the farm to the slaughter line and beyond. Hens with brittle bones suffer fractures during catching, transport, and handling at slaughter in very high proportions. The welfare harm of fractures experienced during these stressful events is significant. Addressing bone health requires both housing systems that enable sufficient locomotion and perch use, and attention to the physiological drivers of calcium depletion through management of lay duration and dietary calcium. The genetic relationship between high egg production and bone weakness means that selecting for extreme production perpetuates the welfare problem regardless of housing improvements, pointing again to the need for welfare-inclusive breeding programmes.

What You Can Do

Support egg certification standards that specify perch provision requirements and monitor bone health indicators
Advocate for catching and transport protocols that minimise fracture risk in end-of-lay hens
Learn about the connection between egg production genetics and bone welfare to advocate for breeding reform
Support research into practical bone health improvement strategies in commercial laying hen management
Choose eggs from producers using slower-growing breeds with better bone density characteristics where available