1920s-
1930s

Eggs were produced from backyard systems.

• Hens ate whatever they found outside, including their own manure
• Hens experienced parasites issues
• Normal mortality rate of 40% per year
• Eggs were gathered by hand

Approximately 76 million people people in the U.S. and 44% were farmers.

1930s-
1940s

Small backyard flocks of chickens made up the majority of the egg producing industry.

• Approximately 150 eggs were produced per year and many were contaminated by microbes from poultry disease
• Hens sometimes laid eggs in their waste

Cage systems were introduced.

• Research on moving hens to indoor living showed many benefits

1950s

Cage systems were adopted.

• Living indoors prevented parasites infestations & reduce the spread of diseases from outside carriers such as rodents and humans
• Feeding practices improved hen health
• Normal mortality rate of 40% per year
• Eggs were gathered by hand

Selective breeding of the hens started to help shape the hen's behaviors.

1960s

Cage systems become dominant method.

• System allowed for hen's manure to fall into a storage system underneath the cages or sent away on the conveyor belt & was inaccessible to hens
• Separate conveyor belt begin to take the layer eggs directly into processing where eggs cold be cleaned immediately

Improved technology and the development of mechanical equipment was responsible for a shift from small farm flocks to larger commercial operations.

Cage-free system existed.

1970s

Implementation of mandatory egg products inspections by USDA Food Safety and Inspection Service.

• All egg products manufactured in the U.S. become subjected to continuous inspection

Industry standard for cleaning & inspection eggs become more rigid.

1980s

Study showed that eggs not sterile and could be contaminated wit Salmonella Enteritidis.

United Egg Producers developed the first industry guidelines.

1990s

FDA Egg Safety Action PLan was created.

• The plan's purpose was to reduce Salmonella Enteritidis infections associated with eggs.

UEP animal welfare committee was established.

UEP supports Food and Drug Administarion's Egg Sfaety Program and worked with Congress, consumer advocacy groups and FDA to secure the most effective program possible.

UEP initiates the 5-star Total Quality Assurance Program.

Program address:

• Cleaning &Disinfecting of Poultry Houses
• Rodent & Pest Elimination
• Proper Egg Washing
• Biosecutrity
• Refrigeration

2000s

UEP certified program launched.

FDA proposed a duke to prevent Salmonella Enteritidis contamination in shell eggs during production.

• Final rule published July 2009 and impelemted in 2010

U.S. population of 280 million people and 2% are farmers.

Today

Each hen produces about 265 eggs per year in modern egg farming.

• Annual flock mortality rate is 5%
• Hens experienced parasites issues
• Normal mortality rate of 40% per year
• Eggs were gathered by hand

FDA employees inspect 100 farms per year.

U.S. egg farmers supply American consumers with 76 billion eggs per year.

UEP redesigned the food safety program and a food safety committee was established.

Hens in cage-free systems eat 15%-25% more feed to produce fewer, smaller eggs.