Causes of keel bone damage and their solutions in laying hens

Harlander-Matauschek, Alexandra; Rodenburg, T.B.; Sandilands, V.; Tobalske, Bret W.; Toscano, Michael J.

doi:10.1017/s0043933915002135

Cited by 115 publications

(104 citation statements)

References 57 publications

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“…Housing of laying hens for egg production is known to be associated with skeletal problems such as fractures and deformities of the keel bone (1). The causes of such fractures have not been definitively identified but are suspected to be a multifactorial problem including: genetic regulation of bone health and high egg laying performance (2,3), bone calcium depletion, and collisions within the housing systems (4)(5)(6).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Radiographic Evaluation of Keel Bone Damage in Laying Hens—Morphologic and Temporal Observations in a Longitudinal Study

et al. 2020

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The keel bone of commercially kept laying hens is known to be frequently affected by morphologic changes such as fractures and deformations with important implications for animal welfare. To detect morphologic changes, various methods such as palpation, computed tomography, and ultrasound are available, though radiography allows for the greatest level of detail in combination with the most ease of use. To explore the benefits of radiography in providing objective data on keel fractures from the age of 22-61 weeks within a single laying period, the keel bones of 75 Lohmann Brown and 75 Lohmann Selected Leghorns were radiographed every 3 to 5 weeks. Type, location, angulation, dislocation, callus formation, and healing process were assessed descriptively for each lesion. Ninety-nine percent of the animals showed at least one keel bone lesion during the study and 97% of the animals had at least one keel bone fracture. In 77% of the cases, the caudal third of the keel bone was affected. The fracture types were transverse and oblique (88%), comminuted, and butterfly. Further lesions were sclerosis, new bone formation and angulation. For each keel bone, an average of three fractures (3.09 ± 1.80) was detected at the end of the study. The described radiographic protocol for keel bone lesions was suitable for longitudinal, on-site examinations in conscious laying hens. Our results also indicate that keel bone fractures are more frequent than reported in earlier studies. The described radiographic examination protocol can be used to perform comparative studies of palpatory findings, or to assess the clinical significance of different fracture types which require a high level of detail.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Radiographic Evaluation of Keel Bone Damage in Laying Hens—Morphologic and Temporal Observations in a Longitudinal Study

et al. 2020

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“…The additional opportunity for exercise in enriched cages and alternative systems improves bone health (Fleming et al 1994), but also results in increases opportunities for collisions with the environment, which can lead to KBF. Overall, higher rates of KBF occur in alternative systems (28-89%) than in cages (22-44%) (Sherwin et al 2010;Wilkins et al 2011), with rates increased further in systems with elevated perches or tiers (Sandilands et al 2009;Harlander-Matauschek et al 2015;Stratmann et al 2015). The unacceptably high level of KBF in all systems (Heerkens et al 2016;Wilkins et al 2011) and evidence that these fractures are painful and alter behaviour (Nasr et al 2013) suggests KBF is a significant welfare concern.…”

Section: Bone Healthmentioning

confidence: 99%

The Ethics of Laying Hen Genetics

Fernyhough

Nicol

Braak

et al. 2019

J Agric Environ Ethics

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Despite societal concerns about the welfare of commercial laying hens, little attention has been paid to the welfare implications of the choices made by the genetics companies involved with their breeding. These choices regarding trait selection and other aspects of breeding significantly affect living conditions for the more than 7 billion laying hens in the world. However, these companies must consider a number of different commercial and societal interests, beyond animal welfare concerns. In this article we map some of the relevant dilemmas faced by genetics companies in order to outline the scope of opportunities to improve welfare under current market conditions. This includes identifying cases where different animal welfare concerns conflict. We discuss the moral responsibility of laying hen genetics companies and the welfare implications that derive from the choices they make and the policies they follow. In addition to evaluating a selection of predominant current practices and breeding goals, we outline different angles from where to assess the moral legitimacy of various industry practices and policies. We discuss specific issues such as injurious pecking, bone health, induced moulting, chick culling and the circumstances of breeding stock.

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“…However, although opportunities for exercise in enriched and non-cage housing do result in stronger bones, the skeleton of the modern laying is still relatively weak and increased freedom of movement also increases risks for bone fractures from collisions with furnishings. The keel bone (sternum) is particularly susceptible to fractures and prevalence rates have been reported to range from 10 to 30% in conventional cages, 20 to 60% in enriched cages and greater than 85% in non-cage systems [102]. Genetic selection for improved bone strength may provide a solution, although there appears to be an inverse relationship between production traits (egg number and shell quality) and bone strength.…”

Section: Trade-offs Among Welfare Economics Environmental Impact Anmentioning

confidence: 99%

Sustainability in the Canadian Egg Industry—Learning from the Past, Navigating the Present, Planning for the Future

et al. 2018

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Like other livestock sectors, the Canadian egg industry has evolved substantially over time and will likely experience similarly significant change looking forward, with many of these changes determining the sustainability implications of and for the industry. Influencing factors include: technological and management changes at farm level and along the value chain resulting in greater production efficiencies and improved life cycle resource efficiency and environmental performance; a changing policy/regulatory environment; and shifts in societal expectations and associated market dynamics, including increased attention to animal welfare outcomes-especially in regard to changes in housing systems for laying hens. In the face of this change, effective decision-making is needed to ensure the sustainability of the Canadian egg industry. Attention both to lessons from the past and to the emerging challenges that will shape its future is required and multi-and interdisciplinary perspectives are needed to understand synergies and potential trade-offs between alternative courses of action across multiple aspects of sustainability. Here, we consider the past, present and potential futures for this industry through the lenses of environmental, institutional (i.e., regulatory), and socio-economic sustainability, with an emphasis on animal welfare as an important emergent social consideration. Our analysis identifies preferred pathways, potential pitfalls, and outstanding cross-disciplinary research questions.

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Causes of keel bone damage and their solutions in laying hens

Cited by 115 publications

References 57 publications

Radiographic Evaluation of Keel Bone Damage in Laying Hens—Morphologic and Temporal Observations in a Longitudinal Study

Radiographic Evaluation of Keel Bone Damage in Laying Hens—Morphologic and Temporal Observations in a Longitudinal Study

The Ethics of Laying Hen Genetics

Sustainability in the Canadian Egg Industry—Learning from the Past, Navigating the Present, Planning for the Future

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