Keel Bone Injuries & Treatments in Chickens
Keel bone (breast bone) injuries in chickens symptoms, causes, and treatments. Keel bone injury is a break in the breastbone which can be very painful for your bird. The keel bone is prone to damages in terms of fractures and deviations due to the anatomical position (7, 8), especially in modern layers with small breast muscle [as discussed by Fleming et al. (7)]
Symptoms of Keel Bone Damage in Chickens
Symptoms of Keel Bone Damage:
See causes and treatments below.
- Inactivity
- Sitting in nest box for extended periods of time when no eggs are in there
- Hiding
- Problems walking
- Problems getting on or off perches
- Bone weakness
- Osteoporosis
- Lameness
- Muscle atrophy (losing muscle due to lack of exercise)
- Lack of appetite over time
- Depression
See causes and treatments below.
Causes of Keel Bone Damage in Chickens
Causes of Keel Bone Damage:
More Information About Keel Bone Fracture
The growth of laying hen’s skeletal frame ceases at sexual maturity approximately from 16 to18 weeks of age (4). However, the ossification process of the keel bone continues until approximately 40 weeks of age (5). Hence, at 16 weeks of age as the hen begins producing eggs, several centimeters of the caudal tip of the keel remain entirely cartilaginous (6). As large amounts of calcium are required for eggshell production, starting at the onset of lay, it is possible that—for high-producing layers—the cartilaginous keel bone receives less than adequate calcium for proper ossification during the early laying period....Keel bone fractures are characterized by sharp bends, shearing, and/or fragmented sections of the keel bone (Figure (Figure1).1). Fractures may extend from the ventral to the dorsal surface in the sagittal plane, but may also be cranial to caudal or a combination of these (9). Collision with housing structures combined with the weakened bone strength is considered the major risk factors for keel bone fractures in layers (7, 10, 11). A recent study of behavior of laying hens focused on failed landings and discussed the potential of such events for flight-related injuries (12). To model bone fractures in hens caused by collisions, Toscano et al. (13) used a drop-weight impact tester to induce keel bone fractures post mortem in layers. By employing a range of impact energies, fractures comparable to those commonly found in commercial settings were produced. These results demonstrated that impact energies of a similar order to those expected to occur during collisions in normal housing are able to produce fractures and that greater collision energies resulted in an increased likelihood of fractures and of greater fracture severity.(1).
- Injuries sustained while trying to get on a perch or other high surface is the top reason chickens get keel bone injuries.
- Injury from falling
- Too high of perches
- Animals harming them
- People harming them by kicking or hitting the chicken
- Dropping or throwing a chicken
- Mating too young
- Early sexual maturity
More Information About Keel Bone Fracture
The growth of laying hen’s skeletal frame ceases at sexual maturity approximately from 16 to18 weeks of age (4). However, the ossification process of the keel bone continues until approximately 40 weeks of age (5). Hence, at 16 weeks of age as the hen begins producing eggs, several centimeters of the caudal tip of the keel remain entirely cartilaginous (6). As large amounts of calcium are required for eggshell production, starting at the onset of lay, it is possible that—for high-producing layers—the cartilaginous keel bone receives less than adequate calcium for proper ossification during the early laying period....Keel bone fractures are characterized by sharp bends, shearing, and/or fragmented sections of the keel bone (Figure (Figure1).1). Fractures may extend from the ventral to the dorsal surface in the sagittal plane, but may also be cranial to caudal or a combination of these (9). Collision with housing structures combined with the weakened bone strength is considered the major risk factors for keel bone fractures in layers (7, 10, 11). A recent study of behavior of laying hens focused on failed landings and discussed the potential of such events for flight-related injuries (12). To model bone fractures in hens caused by collisions, Toscano et al. (13) used a drop-weight impact tester to induce keel bone fractures post mortem in layers. By employing a range of impact energies, fractures comparable to those commonly found in commercial settings were produced. These results demonstrated that impact energies of a similar order to those expected to occur during collisions in normal housing are able to produce fractures and that greater collision energies resulted in an increased likelihood of fractures and of greater fracture severity.(1).
Treatments for Keel Bone Damage or Injury
Treatment for Keel Bone Damage
"A leading poultry scientist spoke about the issue of keel bone damage at a seminar organised by the British Free Range Egg producers' Association (BFREPA). Dr Vicky Sandilands of SRUC in Scotland was speaking at the 2017 BFREPA Sustainability Seminar, which was held at the farm of television farmer Adam Henson near Cheltenham. The event was attended by BFREPA sponsors, whose support has helped to fund a number of research programmes since the sponsorship scheme was launched in 2014. Some of that research has been conducted by Dr Sandilands. The SRUC scientist spoke about keel bone damage - something that has aroused debate in the industry again recently following the decision by Freedom Food to insist on the fitting of aerial perches in flat deck layer houses. Some experts suggest that retro-fitting aerial perches increases the incidence of keel bone damage. Dr Sandilands explained the issues surrounding keel bone injuries in layers and talked about the research being carried out into the subject" (2).
- Separate the injured bird from the flock for 3 to 8 weeks in a warm comfortable place.
- Gently feel along the breast bone for breaks or cracks in bone structure.
- Call the vet for advice.
- Take the bird to your local poultry and livestock veterinarian if possible.
- Supplement diet with Omega 3 fatty acids such as fish oil, flax seeds, or chia seeds.
- Pain relievers-If you are unable to take the bird to the vet you have other options such as pain relievers to ease the pain.
- Body wrap-Use bandage gauze or Ace bandage, to minimize wing movement. Make sure to wrap above and below at least one wing in order to prevent the bandage from slipping.
- Use soft perches. See more at: http://www.poultrydvm.com/condition/keel-bone-injuries
"A leading poultry scientist spoke about the issue of keel bone damage at a seminar organised by the British Free Range Egg producers' Association (BFREPA). Dr Vicky Sandilands of SRUC in Scotland was speaking at the 2017 BFREPA Sustainability Seminar, which was held at the farm of television farmer Adam Henson near Cheltenham. The event was attended by BFREPA sponsors, whose support has helped to fund a number of research programmes since the sponsorship scheme was launched in 2014. Some of that research has been conducted by Dr Sandilands. The SRUC scientist spoke about keel bone damage - something that has aroused debate in the industry again recently following the decision by Freedom Food to insist on the fitting of aerial perches in flat deck layer houses. Some experts suggest that retro-fitting aerial perches increases the incidence of keel bone damage. Dr Sandilands explained the issues surrounding keel bone injuries in layers and talked about the research being carried out into the subject" (2).
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References:
- Riber, A. B., Casey-Trott, T. M., & Herskin, M. S. (2018). The Influence of Keel Bone Damage on Welfare of Laying Hens. Frontiers in veterinary science, 5, 6. doi:10.3389/fvets.2018.00006
- VidDr Vicky Sandilands of SRUC on the issue of keel bone damage. Retrieved on Aug.20, 2024 from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uPuQIE0depM.
