A ground-based autonomous robotic system is programmed to interact with chickens, allowing it to safely navigate the house environment without harming the chickens.
Consumer willingness to pay the additional cost of cage-free egg production is still in question while U.S. egg producers continue to build new cage-free housing in advance to implementation of cage-free housing legislation and cage-free egg purchase pledges.
Many factors play a role in the shift of layer housing to cage-free, including state law changes, consumer demand and housing costs, but there seems to be a disconnect between what consumers are asking for and what they want.
Egg Industry Insight asked pest control specialist for advice on things egg producers should consider if they are transitioning operations from cage to cage-free housing.
Much of the U.S. egg industry is gradually transitioning to cage-free housing for laying hens. Good pest management is an important part of an egg farm’s food safety program.
Research pre-proposals from colleges, universities and other research facilities concerning improvements of eggshell quality in cage-free layer flocks are now being considered by the foundation.
The USPOULTRY and the USPOULTRY Foundation program is offering funding for a research grant to maximize eggshell quality and integrity in cage-free systems.
In 2016, Wendy’s made a commitment to utilize 100% cage-free eggs in its breakfast products by 2020. The commitment was originally made for a portion of their restaurants serving breakfast.
The appeal challenged the Farm Animal Confinement Initiative that required all eggs produced or sold in California to come from cage-free laying systems by the end of 2021.
On July 28th, 2021, California’s Proposition 12 law was tested in a federal courts appeal by the National Pork Producers Council (NPPC) and the American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF).