Layer Hen Keel Bone Health Program

About the Layer Hen Keel Bone Health Program

Keel bone damage (KBD) is deviations or fractures of a hen’s breastbone. KBD is a complex problem caused by housing design problems, genetics, behavior, rearing practices, feed and nutrition and other factors.

Continuous high egg production in commercial hens may cause increased bone fragility and susceptibility to fractures due to the high calcium requirement to produce eggs. The keel bone is prone to fractures due to the anatomical position. Collision with housing structures combined with the weakened bone strength is considered the major risk factors for keel bone fractures in layer hens.

This program is a continuation of FFAR and the Open Philanthropy’s 2017 initial call for research to reduce keel bone fractures in egg-laying hens. However, FFAR and Open Philanthropy recognize the need for additional investment to address this wide-ranging issue and to significantly improve keel bone health at commercial scale.

Through the Keel Bone Health Program, FFAR and Open Philanthropy are seeking larger, cross-disciplinary approaches in which scientists and economists collaborate with egg farmers, breeding companies, equipment manufacturers and other stakeholders to develop interventions and measure progress on this issue.