Farm Animal Welfare

Hen Keel Bone Fractures Welfare

Keel bone fractures in laying hens are a widespread and painful welfare problem, particularly in cage-free systems with perch falls as a major cause.

Key Facts

An estimated 50-80% of laying hens develop keel bone fractures by the end of lay
Keel bone fractures are associated with chronic pain and reduced ability to compete for resources
Multi-tiered aviary systems are associated with higher fracture rates than single-level cage-free
Breeding selection for bone density and strength is an emerging approach to the problem
Early fractures often go unnoticed; outcome-based monitoring is needed to detect prevalence

Welfare Considerations

Keel bone fractures are one of the most prevalent but underaddressed welfare problems in commercial egg production; they require a multi-pronged response spanning breeding, housing design, and monitoring.

What You Can Do

Support egg certification schemes that include keel bone fracture monitoring
Advocate for breeding programmes selecting against keel bone fracture susceptibility
Raise awareness of keel bone welfare as a critical gap in cage-free progress