Farm Animals

Chicken Bone Health and Osteoporosis in Laying Hens

Laying hens experience severe bone loss during egg production due to mobilisation of calcium for shell formation, causing widespread suffering.

Key Facts

Over 80% of commercial laying hens develop osteoporosis by end of lay
Calcium is mobilised from structural bone for eggshell formation daily
Keel bone fractures affect over 50% of hens in some cage-free systems
Perch use increases keel bone fractures but improves structural bone
Genetic selection for high egg production exacerbates bone health problems

Welfare Considerations

Bone fractures in laying hens are extremely painful and very common. The welfare cost of commercial egg production through bone disease represents one of the largest animal welfare issues globally. Breed selection and perch design can reduce but not eliminate this problem.

What You Can Do

Choose eggs from producers investing in bone health research
Support campaigns for breed reform in the laying hen industry
Advocate for mandatory keel bone fracture monitoring in laying hen flocks