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New X-ray technique could transform poultry breeding
“Our method represents a major development to aid selection towards improving bone strength, and health and welfare, in laying hens” -Prof Ian Dunn, The Roslin Institute.
The method represents a major development to aid health and welfare.

Farmers may soon be able to choose the best birds with which to breed – and therefore enhance animal welfare - by using a quick, safe approach for analysing bone density in live hens.

Researchers at The Roslin Institute have created a digital X-ray procedure that takes around 45 seconds to complete, is practical for hens and poultry workers, and yields reliable, reproducible results.

Through the method, described in British Poultry Science, poultry breeders may soon be able to consider bone density when selecting laying hens, which are at risk of fractures from biological changes linked with laying eggs.

Professor Ian Dunn, personal chair of avian biology at The Roslin Institute, said: “For many decades, poultry breeders have chosen which birds to breed according to a mix of many factors, but it has not been possible to account for bone quality in live hens, and a practical method of measuring bone quality in hens has been unavailable. Our method represents a major development to aid selection towards improving bone strength, and health and welfare, in laying hens.”

Recent developments in digital X-ray technology have allowed scientists to refine their methods for taking and analysing pictures related to bone density. 

The new method involves quickly capturing digital X-rays of live hens, from which their leg bone density can be calculated, and data digitally shared. The procedure lasts around 45 seconds, offering a more practical, faster alternative to conventional imaging methods.

Birds with the freedom to roam about their environment benefit from strong bones since their health is better, and they have a decreased risk of fractures. The keel bone, or sternum, of chickens, is particularly prone to injury, and prior work by the same team has shown that fracture risk and keel bone density are genetically related.

The team adds that the method could help mitigate the number of animals required for research into nutritional and management aids for bone health.

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Practices urged to audit neutering data

News Story 1
 RCVS Knowledge has called on vet practices to audit their post-operative neutering outcomes.

It follows the release of the 2024 NASAN benchmarking report, which collates data from neutering procedures performed on dogs, cats and rabbits.

The benchmarking report enables practices in the UK and Ireland to compare their post-operative outcomes to the national average. This includes the rate of patients lost to follow-up, which in 2024 increased to 23 per cent.

Anyone from the practice can submit the data using a free template. The deadline for next report is February 2026.

Visit the RCVS Knowledge website to complete an audit. 

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RCVS pays tribute to well-loved equine vet

The RCVS and the Riding Establishments Subcommittee has paid tribute to well-loved veterinary surgeon and riding establishment inspector, Rebecca Hamilton-Fletcher MRCVS.

Linda Belton MRCVS, RCVS President, said: "I, along with my colleagues on the RESC, RCVS Council, RCVS Standards Committee, as well as RCVS staff, was very saddened to hear of the sudden death of Rebecca, or Becca as we knew her, last week.

"She was a true advocate for equine welfare and in her many years on the RESC worked to continually improve the quality and consistency of riding establishment inspections, all in the interests of enhanced horse welfare and rider safety."