Farm Animal Welfare

Laying Hen Bone Health and Welfare

Osteoporosis and bone fractures are endemic in commercial laying hens due to calcium mobilization for eggshell production and lack of exercise.

Key Facts

Up to 80% of commercial laying hens have fractured bones detectable at slaughter
Osteoporosis develops because calcium is continuously mobilized from bones for eggshell production
Hens in cage-free and free-range systems have better bone density than caged hens
Exercise and appropriate perching dramatically improve bone health
Pain from fractures affects walking, feeding, and all aspects of hen welfare

Welfare Considerations

Bone fractures cause chronic pain in laying hens across commercial systems. This is a systemic welfare problem affecting billions of birds annually. Housing systems that allow exercise and perching dramatically reduce fracture rates.

What You Can Do

Choose free-range or organic eggs where hens have access to perches and exercise
Advocate for cage-free transition policies in food service and retail
Support research into low-fracture-risk genetic lines for laying hens