Keel bone fractures affect a majority of laying hens in many production systems and are now recognized as the most significant welfare problem in egg production. Prevention strategies are available but underimplemented.
Keel bone fractures represent the most prevalent welfare problem in laying hen production, yet they remain largely invisible to consumers and less discussed than housing system debates. The fact that the majority of hens in systems marketed as higher welfare - enriched colonies and free-range - suffer fractures demonstrates that housing system alone is not sufficient to address welfare. Targeted breeding for bone density, better perch design standards, improved pullet rearing protocols, and routine keel bone assessment in welfare audits are all necessary components of meaningful improvement. The sheer prevalence of this condition - affecting hundreds of millions of hens annually - makes it a priority welfare issue.