The KeelBoneDamage COST Action will provide the European laying hen industry with the innovations in breeding, nutrition, and management necessary to resolve the problem of Keel bone damage (KBD) in order to meet the high standards of welfare and productivity demanded by the European community.The extremely high frequency and severity of KBD represents one of the greatest welfare problems facing the industry as suggested by several of the leading authorities in animal welfare, including the UK`s Farm Animal Welfare Committee and EFSA. More critically, KBD appears to be exacerbated by recent transitions imposed by EU legislation which banned the use of conventional battery cages from January 2012. Although conceived with the best of intentions and a bold step to improve hen welfare, the unexpected consequences are a blight on Europe`s moral standing and as a result of this well-intended legislation, the laying hen industry is now faced with the unexpected challenge of greatly increased KBD leading to reduced animal welfare and farm productivity. The proposed framework seeks to provide a platform for collaboration on the the causes of KBD and solutions to reduce their severity and frequency. The Action brings various participants with a diverse mix of disciplines, ages, and geographies together to facilitate novel and trans-disciplinary discussions that will lead to definitive and quantifiable outputs. Advancements will be performed in concert with industrial partners whom are leaders in the field ensuring that developments are directed into tangible outputs that improve animal welfare and farm productivity.
