Farm Animal Welfare

Laying Hen Bone Health: Osteoporosis and Fractures

Laying hens are highly susceptible to osteoporosis due to the calcium demands of intensive egg production, leading to structural bone weakness and fractures throughout their lives.

Key Facts

Laying hens produce 300+ eggs per year compared to wild ancestral junglefowl producing 10-15
The calcium demand for eggshell production depletes structural bone, causing medullary bone loss
Radiographic studies show that over 50% of hens have at least one bone fracture during lay
Fractures cause pain that is difficult to assess without detailed behavioural studies
Higher calcium diets, vitamin D supplementation and reduced production intensity improve bone health

Welfare Considerations

Osteoporotic bone fractures in laying hens represent widespread chronic pain across commercial egg production globally. The metabolic cost of intensive egg production is borne directly by the hen's skeletal system. Breed selection for improved bone strength, nutritional optimisation and reduced production intensity are all research-supported interventions.

What You Can Do

Choose eggs from hens with access to perches, which improve bone strength through exercise
Support welfare research into laying hen bone health and fracture prevention
Advocate for breed welfare standards that include skeletal health metrics
Reduce egg consumption or choose alternative protein sources where possible