Make the switch to cage-free

More and more poultry producers are transitioning from conventional cages to aviary or nest-based housing. Floor eggs are a common obstacle when switching to cage-free housing. They can reduce efficiency, increase labour costs, and raise hygiene concerns. With the right system design and management, your hens will know exactly where to lay their eggs — and where not to.

Why do floor eggs happen?

When hens avoid nests, eggs end up on the floor. This can be caused by:

Insufficient nest design or incorrect placement
Inadequate pullet training
Lighting or litter mismanagement
Stressful housing transitions

How to prevent floor eggs: 5 key steps

Ensure proper rearing
Train birds early. Well-reared hens navigate confidently and know where to lay.
Position nests strategically
Make nests highly accessible, well-lit, and positioned away from corners or dark areas.
Light management
Intensity and light distribution are important. It's vital to avoid significant contrasts between light and dark areas in the layer house; if a hen spots a dark corner, there's a likelihood she may choose to lay her egg there.
Control peak laying behavior
Utilize strategic placement of perches and feeding throughs to keep birds off the floor during morning laying hours.
Act immediately
Remove floor eggs fast and block off problem areas to break bad habits before they form.