The Influence of Housing for Laying Hens on the Economics of Egg Production

The poultry sector plays an important role in animal production in terms of maintaining a stable production of healthy food for the population. With regard to the egg industry, sustainability refers to the treatment of laying hens and especially the systems used for hen housing. The conditions of welfare and housing of laying hens in the production of table eggs are currently of interest to most egg sellers as well as consumers as they directly affect the economy of their production and their price. At present, consumers have a choice of four types of eggs on the shelves. They can come from the cage, litter, free-range or organic farming. Each farm has well-defined rules that it must follow. Customers are increasingly interested in where and under what circumstances are produced the eggs which they bring home from the store. In addition to price, customers look for a story behind the package and make their decisions accordingly. Although recognizing that issues such as environmental consequences, food safety, and humane treatment of hens are also important, this article focuses on the relationships between hen housing and economy and market eggs production.