Laying Hen Keel Bone Fractures and Welfare

Keel bone fractures affect the majority of laying hens in modern production systems, causing chronic pain and representing one of the most significant unresolved welfare problems in poultry farming.

Key Facts

Studies show up to 80% of caged and free-range laying hens have keel bone fractures by end of lay.
The keel bone is the elongated sternum to which flight muscles attach; fractures cause chronic pain.
Fractures occur from collision with perches, falls, and osteoporosis driven by calcium demands of egg production.
Birds with keel bone fractures show reduced activity, altered posture, and pain-related behaviour.
Genetic selection for keel bone robustness is possible but has not been prioritised by breeding companies.

Welfare Considerations

Keel bone fractures are a silent epidemic in laying hen welfare, causing chronic pain in the majority of birds across all commercial housing systems including cage-free and free-range. The condition reflects a combination of poor perch design, bone fragility from calcium depletion, and management factors. Solutions include rounded perch design, improved lighting to encourage gradual perch use, dietary calcium optimisation, and genetic selection for bone strength. Industry-wide action is needed given the scale of the problem.

What You Can Do

Support egg producers who publish keel bone fracture prevalence data from their flocks.
Advocate for mandatory keel bone assessment in farm assurance scheme audits.
Choose eggs from producers investing in welfare research and keel bone reduction programmes.
Support research into perch design, lighting management, and genetic solutions to keel bone fractures.
Reduce egg consumption or switch to plant-based alternatives to reduce demand on all laying systems.