The challenge of first-class eggs
As a layer producer, you need to monitor all kinds of production and economic factors that can have an impact on profitability – from egg production percentage, number and weight to feed cost and intake. In many cases, what you measure will be driven by consumer preferences, economic market forces and other trends. Although input costs are important, the greatest enabler for success is the production and sale of top-quality eggs: a higher number of marketable eggs means higher profits.
Careful selection of commercial laying hens has successfully increased production cycle lengths from 70 to 80 weeks, or even longer: current targets are for long-life layers capable of producing 500 eggs at 100 weeks of age Among hens in the late-lay life-stage, however, it is much more difficult to maintain good eggshells, which makes ongoing first-class egg production a challenge.
