White-egg laying hens are gaining a stronger foothold in the UK egg sector, according to a new survey by the Laying Hen Welfare Forum (LHWF), which highlights increasing producer experience as well as emerging trends in management, performance, and bird behaviour.

Although the UK remains predominantly a brown egg market, white-egg layer placements have now reached around 15% of the national flock. This marks a gradual but notable shift within the laying hen sector, driven by changes in supply chain requirements, interest in production efficiency and the evolving on-farm experience of producers managing white-egg layers.

Placing the UK picture in a wider context, white egg production is far more established internationally. Globally, egg production is broadly split 50:50 between brown and white shells, with white eggs dominating in countries such as the US, Canada, Mexico and parts of Scandinavia.

Several European countries have also seen a clear movement towards white-egg laying breeds. In the Netherlands, Denmark and Germany, white-egg laying flocks now account for an estimated 65-70% of production in some regions, with adoption commonly associated with advantages in productivity, feed efficiency and flock longevity.

Surveying UK producers

In response to the gradual growth in white-egg laying flocks, the LHWF carried out an online survey to capture the views and experiences of pullet rearers and egg producers currently managing white-egg laying hens in the UK. The survey was distributed through the British Egg Industry Council (BEIC) and shared via veterinary practices, industry organisations and wider professional networks.

The survey generated 39 responses to 24 questions covering housing systems, flock size, years of experience, health, welfare and day-to-day management. Respondents were primarily egg producers, with representation from pullet rearers and mixed operations. Almost all participants had experience managing both brown and white-egg laying flocks, providing a strong basis for comparison.

Experience with white-egg layers reflected a sector still in transition. Just over 40% of respondents reported more than 3 years’ experience with white-egg laying flocks, while others were newer adopters with up to 2 years of experience. Contractual requirements from egg packers were the most commonly cited reason for adopting white-egg layers, although increasing familiarity and confidence among producers is also playing an emerging role.

Managing white flocks in practice

One of the most striking findings from the survey was that two thirds of respondents considered white-egg laying breeds easier to manage than brown birds. This perception was based on a combination of flock consistency, behavioural traits and production performance under commercial conditions.

However, views on intact-beaked systems remain cautious. More than half of respondents said they would prefer not to manage intact-beaked flocks at all, regardless of feather colour. Among those willing to manage intact beaks, white-egg laying flocks were preferred over brown. This suggests that concerns relate less to breed type and more to the wider risks associated with injurious pecking and flock control. As a result, infra-red beak treatment remains the dominant approach across both brown and white-egg laying systems.

Housing, welfare and behaviour

White-egg laying flocks in the survey were housed across a broad range of production systems, reflecting the diversity of UK egg production. Multi-tier aviary systems were most common, alongside free-range, barn, organic and a small number of enriched colony units. Flock sizes varied considerably, ranging from smaller commercial units to very large-scale operations.

Most white-egg laying flocks were infra-red beak treated, with a smaller proportion managed with intact beaks or a mix of both. Welfare outcomes were generally reported to be positive. Most respondents rated feather cover in white-egg layers as better than in brown flocks. A small number reported instances of head and toe pecking, particularly around the onset of lay, in both intact and beak-treated flocks, although these issues were not widespread.

White-egg laying hybrids were widely described as more flighty than brown birds, with behaviour observed across all housing systems. While this characteristic requires attentive stockmanship, it was not considered detrimental to overall flock performance. More than half of respondents reported improved feed conversion in white-egg laying flocks, and nearly 80% said these birds did not present significant health problems, with generally lower mortality levels reported.

What it means for the UK industry

Overall, the findings suggest that producers currently managing white-egg laying hens are broadly satisfied with their performance, liveability and ease of management. As experience continues to develop, confidence in managing white-egg laying flocks appears to be strengthening, mirroring trends seen in parts of mainland Europe.

However, the survey also highlights ongoing caution around intact-beaked systems, regardless of breed. While the UK is likely to remain predominantly a brown egg market, white-egg layers are expected to play a steadily expanding role as producer experience grows and management approaches continue to evolve.