Keel bone fractures affect the majority of laying hens in many production systems and cause chronic pain. Addressing this welfare problem is a priority for the egg industry.
Keel bone fractures represent a major welfare challenge in modern laying hen systems, particularly as cages are replaced by more complex environments where collision risk increases. The paradox is that enriched environments that allow wing-flapping and perching provide behavioral benefits but also create fracture risks if not designed carefully. Welfare-conscious solutions include perch design optimization, selective breeding for stronger bone density, improved calcium management, and monitoring programs to track fracture rates as a welfare indicator. Consumer expectations of cage-free eggs must be matched by industry investment in systems that genuinely improve all welfare outcomes including keel bone health.