Keel bone fractures affect a majority of laying hens in many production systems, causing chronic pain that significantly impairs welfare. This underrecognized problem deserves urgent attention.
Keel bone fractures represent one of the most prevalent and underaddressed welfare problems in commercial egg production. The sheer scale — the majority of laying hens in enriched cage and free-range systems having at least one fracture — means this affects billions of individual birds annually. Fractures cause acute pain at the time of injury and chronic pain during healing and in cases where they fail to heal correctly. Hens with painful keel fractures show reduced movement, altered posture, decreased access to resources, and higher stress indicators. Genetic selection intensified for egg production has reduced bone density as a trade-off. Environmental factors including perch design, height, and surface texture influence fall biomechanics and fracture risk. Genetic programs that breed for bone strength alongside production traits, combined with environmental modifications to reduce fall risk, offer pathways to reduction. The problem is receiving increasing regulatory attention in the EU and UK.