Farm Animal Welfare

Poultry Keel Bone Fracture Prevention

Keel bone fractures are one of the most significant welfare problems in laying hens, affecting the majority of commercial flocks.

Key Facts

Studies show 50-80% of commercial laying hens have keel bone fractures
Fractures occur from collisions, falls and perch use and cause chronic pain
Cage-free systems have higher fracture rates than enriched colony cages in some studies
Breed selection for bone density and perch design can reduce fracture rates
Pain responses including guarding behaviours indicate significant suffering from keel fractures

Welfare Considerations

Keel bone fractures cause chronic pain in a majority of laying hens and represent the single biggest unaddressed welfare issue in egg production. Addressing this requires genetic selection, perch design and management improvements across all laying systems.

What You Can Do

Support research into keel bone fracture prevention through breeding and housing design
Advocate for keel bone monitoring as a welfare requirement in egg certification schemes
Ask egg producers and retailers about their approach to keel bone fracture prevention