Use of radiography to identify keel bone fractures in laying hens and assess healing in live birds

Abstract

The aim of this study was to use radiography to assess and characterise naturally occurring keel bone fractures in laying hens and monitor live birds over several weeks to examine the healing process. Twenty-four Lohmann brown commercial laying hens with varying degrees of keel bone fracture were used in the study. Birds were radiographed regularly over six weeks and the radiographic features and changing appearance of keel bone fractures were evaluated. The radiographic characteristics of old and new fractures were categorised and indicated that 80 per cent of birds entering the study with new fractures had healed after 35 days and five birds had incurred new fractures irrespective of their original fracture status.

Modification of aviary design reduces incidence of falls, collisions and keel bone damage in laying hens

“…• NK (normal, non-damaged keel bone): no signs of fracture or deviation present, no injuries or swellings • DK (deviated keel bone): deviation of the keel from a theoretical two-dimensional straight plane in either the transverse (C-shaped) or median sagittal (S-shaped) plane including ridges and/or indentations along the ventral surface • FK (fractured keel bone): presence of sharp edges, clear displacements or shearing and bumps assumed to indicate the presence of callus material and suggesting fractures (Richards et al, 2011).…”

“…Compared to caged systems, space availability per hen is increased and includes the third dimension to allow for flying, which is assumed to improve bone health (Leyendecker et al, 2005). Despite these benefits, aviaries are often associated with their own problems such as a relatively high incidence of broken keel bones (Käppeli et al, 2011;Rodenburg et al, 2008). Prevalence of keel bone damage (fractures and deviations) is greater in aviaries compared with furnished cage systems: reported prevalence in aviaries varies between 56 and 96% (Käppeli et al, 2011;Rodenburg et al, 2008), whereas the prevalence in furnished cages varies between 23 and 30% (Habig and Distl, 2013;Sandilands et al, 2009).…”

“…Despite these benefits, aviaries are often associated with their own problems such as a relatively high incidence of broken keel bones (Käppeli et al, 2011;Rodenburg et al, 2008). Prevalence of keel bone damage (fractures and deviations) is greater in aviaries compared with furnished cage systems: reported prevalence in aviaries varies between 56 and 96% (Käppeli et al, 2011;Rodenburg et al, 2008), whereas the prevalence in furnished cages varies between 23 and 30% (Habig and Distl, 2013;Sandilands et al, 2009). Given that keel bone fractures are believed to be painful (Nasr et al, 2012a) and associated with reduced egg production (Nasr et al, 2012b) and increased mortality (McCoy et al, 1996), keel bone damage is one of the major welfare problems associated with laying hens in aviaries.…”

Novel Nonsurgical Approach to Stabilization of Bilateral Pathologic Femoral Fractures in an Egg-laying Maroon-bellied Conure (Pyrrhura frontalis)

“…2 Hens may heal more quickly than other birds because they are conditioned to the high calcium fluctuations of production egg-laying. 42 Other factors that affect rate of fracture healing are bone displacement, infection, integrity of the blood supply, fracture site mobility, and involvement of pneumatic bones, which may heal more slowly. 42,43 This case describes the successful conservative management of a companion bird with bilateral pathologic femoral fractures with a modified perch as a splinting device.…”

Scientific Opinion on welfare aspects of the use of perches for laying hens

“…Keel bone deformities are observed in pullets and young laying hens, but, as hens get older, the risk of fracture increases because of bone strength deterioration. Fractures often heal rapidly (Richards et al, 2011), but there is evidence of residual pain (Nasr et al, 2012). This will further be addressed in the following chapters.…”