Laying Hen Keel Bone Fractures | Animal Welfare Hub

Keel bone fractures affect the majority of laying hens in all commercial systems and represent a major unresolved welfare challenge.

Key Facts

Keel bone fractures affect 50 to 80% of commercial laying hens across all housing systems including enriched cages and free range
The keel bone protrudes prominently in hens bred for high egg production due to muscle tension from heavy laying
Fractures cause chronic pain detectable through behavioral indicators including reduced movement and feeding
Hens with keel fractures lay fewer eggs, providing economic incentive for welfare improvement
Selective breeding for keel robustness is the most promising long-term solution but has not yet been widely implemented

Welfare Considerations

Keel bone fractures are the most prevalent welfare problem in laying hens and remain poorly addressed even in higher-welfare systems. The assumption that free-range or enriched cage systems automatically provide good welfare is undermined by keel fracture prevalence data. Addressing this requires both immediate management interventions and long-term breeding changes.

What You Can Do

Support egg producers investing in keel-robust breeding lines and management practices
Choose eggs from farms that publicly report keel bone fracture prevalence data
Advocate for keel bone health as a mandatory indicator in laying hen welfare certification schemes