Improvement of egg production and quality

With fixed costs increasing for egg producers the key to protecting margins is improving productivity and quality. Anything that can be done to increase the number of grade A saleable eggs laid per hen over their lifetimes, will pay dividends. Ensuring that hens get the most out of the diet they are fed helps improve FCR and increases efficiency. Longer cycles increase efficiency and hence sustainability. Whatever strategies are employed it is imperative that egg size is managed, and it isn’t allowed to ‘run away’, which can have both financial and welfare implications. For eggs, shell quality is key to minimising wastage and internal appearance important for customer perception. Supporting the antioxidant status of hens through their lifecycle will not only optimise production but also improve egg freshness and eggshell quality. This means that producers can increase the number of saleable eggs. Tapping into niche market, such as enriched eggs, to increase the selling price of eggs can also offer producers an additional way to protect their margins.