Farm Animal Welfare

Laying Hen Keel Bone Fractures Prevention

Keel bone fractures are endemic in laying hen systems and cause chronic pain in a large proportion of commercial laying hens.

Key Facts

Keel bone fractures affect 50-80% of laying hens in cage-free systems by end of lay
Perch design, installation, and management significantly affect fracture rates
Genetic selection for bone strength could reduce fracture incidence over time
High calcium diets and UV light access improve bone mineralization
Pain scoring studies confirm keel fractures cause measurable chronic pain in affected hens

Welfare Considerations

Keel bone fractures are a chronic pain condition affecting the majority of laying hens in cage-free systems. While cage-free housing provides behavioral benefits over caged systems, the fracture problem must be addressed for genuinely improved welfare outcomes.

What You Can Do

Support research into keel bone fracture prevention in cage-free systems
Advocate for perch design standards that reduce fracture risk
Choose eggs from farms demonstrating active keel bone health monitoring