Figure 2 Supply chain of the chicken egg industry – Breeding layers Producing eggs Processing and Export/Domestic marketing of eggs packing eggs Hen and Laying hens produce eggs for Packaged shell eggs or processed egg products exported. cockerel breeding chickens’ consumption. Distributed domestically through wholesalers or directly to retailers, food eggs hatched. Eggs for shell egg market: services (such as restaurants, caterers, hospitals and airlines) or Eggs are to identify cracked or ‘candled’ manufacturers of fresh and shelf-stable food products. Day-old chicks reared to point-of-lay dirty eggs. (16 - 18 weeks) Sorted according to size and packed. Eggs for processing: Processed into pulp or liquid whole egg, albumen (white) or yolk; or powdered whole egg, albumen or yolk.
Figure 2 – Supply chain of the chicken egg industry Breeding layers Hen and cockerel breeding chickens’ eggs hatched. Day-old chicks reared to point-of-lay (16 - 18 weeks) Producing eggs Laying hens produce eggs for consumption. Processing and packing eggs Eggs for shell egg market: Eggs are ‘candled’ to identify cracked or dirty eggs. Sorted according to size and packed. Eggs for processing: Processed into pulp or liquid whole egg, albumen (white) or yolk; or powdered whole egg, albumen or yolk. Export/Domestic marketing of eggs Packaged shell eggs or processed egg products exported. Distributed domestically through wholesalers or directly to retailers, food services (such as restaurants, caterers, hospitals and airlines) or manufacturers of fresh and shelf-stable food products.