Keel bone fractures affect the majority of laying hens in commercial production, causing chronic pain that has become recognized as one of the most significant welfare problems in the egg industry.
Keel bone fractures cause chronic pain affecting most of the hens in commercial egg production, representing an enormous aggregate welfare problem. The transition from conventional cages to enriched cages and aviaries paradoxically increased fracture rates by allowing the wing-flapping and elevated perching that stress the keel. Higher-welfare systems thus inadvertently introduced a new welfare problem while solving others. Addressing keel fractures requires genetic, nutritional, and management interventions simultaneously. Consumer pressure for better welfare housing is creating demand for solving this problem.