Laying Hen Keel Bone Fractures: A Hidden Welfare Crisis

Keel bone fractures affect the majority of commercially housed laying hens in most system types, causing chronic pain that significantly compromises welfare throughout the laying period.

Key Facts

Studies find keel bone fracture prevalence of 50-80% in commercial laying flocks across all system types
Fractures occur from collisions with perches, equipment and other hens in both cage and cage-free systems
Fractured keel bones cause chronic pain evident in altered posture, reduced movement and pain behaviour
Hens with keel fractures show reduced food and water intake affecting production and welfare simultaneously
Selective breeding for heavier keel bones has shown promise in reducing fracture rates
Perch design — diameter, texture and installation height — significantly influences fracture risk

Welfare Considerations

Keel bone fractures represent a pervasive, underacknowledged welfare problem affecting the majority of commercially housed laying hens. The scale — potentially billions of hens globally — makes this one of the largest sources of chronic pain in domestic animals. Unlike visible external injuries, keel fractures require palpation or imaging to detect, meaning they have historically been overlooked in welfare assessments. Recognition of this issue has accelerated, with breeding, housing design and management interventions all showing potential for reduction.

What You Can Do

Support laying hen welfare schemes that specifically address keel bone fracture rates
Advocate for mandatory keel fracture monitoring and reporting in laying hen operations
Encourage egg producers to adopt perch designs with lower fracture risk
Support research into fracture-resistant breeding and housing design modifications
Ask retailers and egg companies about their keel bone fracture monitoring and reduction strategies