Comparison of Egg Production in Germany, the Netherlands, the United Kingdom and the United States

Annual chick placements have been declining in Germany, from 46.1 million in 1996 to 45.7 million in 2000 and 44.0 million in 2004. Egg production totaled 38.7 million cases (30 dozen cases) in 1996, dropping to 38.5 in 2000 and 34.4 in 2004.

In the Netherlands, placements totaled 28.8 million chicks in 1996, 32.7 million chicks in 2000, 26.3 million chicks in 2004. Egg production was 25.1 million cases in 1996, 27.8 million cases in 2004 and 25.6 million in 2004. An outbreak on highly pathogenic avian influenza (H7N7) in 2003 led to the loss of 55 percent of the table egg production in the Netherlands. Germany and Belgium had limited loss to the avian influenza outbreak.

The UK’s chick placements were 33.4 million in 1996, 32.5 million in 2000 and 32.7 million in 2004. Egg production totaled 24.6 million cases in 1996, 23.9 million in 2000 and 26.4 million in 2004.

Chick placements in the U.S. grew steadily from 203.6 million chicks in 1996 to 214.7 million in 2000 and 218.7 million in 2004. Egg production totaled 212.0 million cases in 1996 but dropped to 198.3 in 2000 before rebounding to 211.8 in 2004.

Up until 2003, EU Law required a minimum space requirement of 450 square cm/bird. From 2003 to 2012 the space requirement for conventional (not enriched) cages was increased to 550 sq cm/bird. Effective January 1, 2002, enriched cages, which, require perches, nest boxes and litter, were required to have at least 750 sq cm of cage space per hen. Rearing layers in conventional cages will be prohibited effective January 1, 2012. New conventional cages have not been allowed to be built, or brought into service for the first time, since January 1, 2003.

Germany has prohibited housing hens in conventional cages as from December 2006 and enriched cages will not be allowed after December 31, 2011. Between 1995 and 2004, egg production shifted from 93.7% in cages to 77.5% in cages. The balance of birds were raised in deep litter or free range.

In 2005, of the 30 million laying hens housed in the Netherlands, about 50 % are kept in conventional cage systems while the other half are kept in aviaries/barns, on free range, or as organic. The UK has a code of recommendations for laying hens. Statutory Instrument 2000 No. 1870 set minimum cage areas at 450 sq cm where four or more hens are kept in the cage. Statutory Instrument 2002 No. 1646 set requirements of at least 550 sq cm per hen of cage area for all conventional cage systems. In 2004, 66% of production was in cages, 24% free range, 7 % barn and 3% organic.

In the International Egg Commission’s Recommended Standards for the Welfare of Laying Hens, usable space per hen in a minimum of 432 sq cm (67 sq in) for small framed birds (such as white leghorns) and 490 sq cm (76 sq in) for large framed birds (modern brown hybrids). In the United States, United Egg Producer Guidelines recommend 67 sq in (432 sq cm) per white egg leghorn hen and between 67 and 86 sq in (432 - 555 sq cm) per brown egg layer hen.
Source: International Egg Commission, British Egg Industry Council, UK Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, European Commission, new wires

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Source: USDA's Agricultural Marketing Service - 1st November 2005