The journey of the egg starts at a hatchery where fertilized eggs from breeding flocks are incubated. The incubator precisely controls the temperature, humidity and airflow to create the perfect environment for chick development. The eggs are even turned at regular intervals and chicks begin to hatch after about 21 days. Once the chicks are hatched these young birds, or pullets, are moved to a growing barn until they are about 19 weeks old, and ready to start laying their own eggs. They are then moved to the laying barn.
Cleanliness is very important and the barn is washed and disinfected before the pullets are moved in. Farmers check the flock daily and use technology to monitor how much the hens eat and drink as well as the barn temperatures and ventilation. Everything is kept at the ideal levels for raising hens.
There are over 1000 egg farms in Canada and each follows a comprehensive Egg Quality Assurance Program that includes an Animal Care Program and on-farm food safety program called Start Clean Stay Clean. These programs are based on research and best practices. They set out best practices, standards and protocols which egg farmers adhere to and that are verified by trained inspectors.
These standards include strict biosecurity rules. Meaning that egg farms limit the number of people entering their barns and those that do enter must wash their hands and wear clean overalls and footwear or disposable boot covers so that they do not bring in diseases or germs to the hens. All these measures ensure the highest possible standards for the welfare of the hen, food safety and egg quality standards.
Did you know? Young hens are more likely to lay smaller eggs sometimes with two yolks, but as a hen gets older she lays larger eggs. The average hen lays about 340 eggs per year. That’s more than 28 dozen!