Laying Hen Bone Health and Osteoporosis

Commercial laying hens suffer extremely high rates of osteoporosis and bone fractures due to calcium drain from egg production, with welfare implications across all production systems.

Key Facts

Modern laying hens produce 300+ eggs per year compared to around 12 eggs for wild jungle fowl ancestors
Osteoporosis affects the majority of commercial laying hens by end of lay
Bone fractures occur in up to 50-80% of hens in some systems, often going undetected
Keel bone fractures are a major welfare concern across cage-free and enriched cage systems
Keel bone fracture rates are often higher in cage-free systems due to falls and collisions
Genetic selection for egg production has not kept pace with selection for bone strength

Welfare Considerations

Keel bone fractures and osteoporosis represent a significant and widespread welfare problem in laying hen production that affects all housing systems, including free-range and cage-free. The broken keel bone is often a site of chronic pain. Research is underway to develop breeds with better bone strength, but until genetic solutions are found, management and housing design play important roles in reducing fracture incidence.

What You Can Do

Support research into laying hen genetics that prioritizes bone health alongside production
Ask egg producers about their keel bone fracture monitoring and management programs
Reduce egg consumption or shift to plant-based egg alternatives
Advocate for welfare standards that explicitly address keel bone fracture rates