Farmed Animals

Farmed Laying Hen Keel Bone Fractures

Keel bone fractures affect the majority of laying hens in commercial production, causing chronic pain and representing one of the most significant and neglected welfare problems in the egg industry.

Key Facts

Studies show 50-80% of laying hens have keel bone fractures by the end of lay
Fractures occur from impacts with perches, falls, and calcium-depleted bones after intensive laying
Hens with keel fractures show behavioral evidence of chronic pain including reduced movement
Fractures are common in both conventional cages and 'higher welfare' furnished/enriched systems
The EU ban on battery cages in 2012 did not solve the keel bone problem

Welfare Considerations

Keel bone fractures are one of the most widespread sources of chronic pain in any farmed species - yet they remain largely invisible to consumers and are absent from most welfare certification criteria. Research shows fractured hens modify behavior to minimize movement - classic pain-avoidance responses. Addressing this requires breeding for stronger bones, perch design improvements, and fracture monitoring in welfare audits.

What You Can Do

Support egg producers and certifiers that explicitly monitor and target keel bone fracture reduction
Ask egg retailers about their suppliers' keel bone fracture rates
Support research into laying hen genetics for improved bone strength
Reduce egg consumption or shift to certified higher welfare products with fracture monitoring