Farm Animals

Chicken Keel Bone Fractures and Welfare

The prevalence, causes, and welfare impact of keel bone fractures in laying hens, a major welfare issue in commercial egg production.

Key Facts

Keel bone fractures affect up to 80% of laying hens in some systems
Fractures cause chronic pain and are associated with altered movement patterns
Bone strength is affected by genetics, nutrition, and exercise opportunity
Perch design and height influence keel bone fracture risk substantially
Pain assessment tools confirm keel fractures cause significant suffering

Welfare Considerations

Keel bone fractures represent a widespread and serious welfare problem in laying hen production. The high prevalence means millions of hens live with chronic pain. Addressing this requires genetic selection, housing design changes, and nutrition improvements.

What You Can Do

Advocate for keel bone fracture reduction targets in egg production standards
Support research into genetic selection for keel bone strength
Choose eggs from systems with demonstrated lower keel fracture rates