Research suggests over half of UK laying hens have broken or deformed keel bones, across every housing system. It is an industry-wide challenge, not a problem of any one farm or system.

Affected hens move less, spend less time at feeders, and show raised stress indicators. There is also growing evidence of productivity effects, including reduced laying persistence, so better keel health and better output can go hand in hand.

Because keel damage is largely invisible on the live bird, it is rarely measured, and its true scale and causes remain poorly understood. Better measurement is the first step to managing it, and to being ready as it moves up the regulatory agenda.