Layer Hen Bone Health: Osteoporosis and Welfare

Key Welfare Facts

Osteoporosis affects nearly all commercial laying hens due to calcium mobilisation for eggshell production.
Bone fractures occur in 50-80% of caged hens and 30-50% of free-range hens at slaughter examination.
Many fractures occur during the laying period, causing chronic pain that impairs feeding and movement.
Alternative housing systems providing perches and exercise improve structural bone density measurably.
Genetic selection for reduced laying intensity could reduce fracture risk while maintaining acceptable productivity.
End-of-lay mortality transport and catching cause acute fracture injury at rates that represent a major welfare event.

Welfare Assessment

Bone fractures are a widespread and serious welfare issue in commercial laying hens that persists across housing systems. Supporting producers implementing bone health monitoring, appropriate housing, and gentle end-of-lay practices addresses this underrecognised welfare burden.

What You Can Do

Choose eggs from farms with documented bone health monitoring and reduced-intensity strains
Support legislation setting maximum stocking densities and requiring enriched housing
Advocate for gentle catching and transport protocols at end of lay
Support research into bone-health-optimised genetics in laying hen breeding