University of Hawaii study probes hen aging to protect egg supply
Gut health research aims to curb drop in egg output
20 February 2026
1 minute read
By: New research from the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa is examining how aging in laying hens affects egg production and affordability, University of Hawaii News reported.
The study, published in Poultry Science, found that as hens age, changes in gut health reduce their ability to absorb nutrients, leading to lower egg output. At peak production, up to 97% of high-performing hens lay eggs, but by 100 weeks that rate can fall to 70% to 75%, creating economic strain for producers.
Researchers at the College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resilience found that aging hens experience weakened gut lining, sometimes described as “leaky gut,” which limits nutrient absorption and reduces the energy available for reproduction.
The team used chickens sourced from Hawaii farms, making the findings relevant to local conditions, though researchers say the implications are global. By identifying genes and molecular pathways linked to aging, scientists hope to develop new feeding strategies and management protocols that could lift production by 1% to 2%, helping maintain affordable protein supplies.
