Key investment trends (with enriched housing systems for poultry operations) are changing the supplier landscape in Canada. The food industry is committed to sourcing 100 per cent cage-free eggs by 2025, and Canadian egg farms have made a commitment to transition.

The growth of poultry housing systems comes from increased new building construction and new housing system installations on farms across Canada. Egg Farmers of Canada says its members will no longer install battery cages, and will begin an industry-wide transitions to alternative production methods. Many of Canada’s largest food companies have committed to source only cage-free eggs in the near future; this represents a unique opportunity for manufacturers of enriched poultry housing systems, barn environment technologies, and related supplies that improve life quality for poultry and workers.

Egg producers in Canada are turning barns into high-tech chicken operations. Canada will officially phase out conventional cage systems by 2036, allowing operators time to make changes to barns and equipment. Many farmers are switching to enriched housing that accommodation designs for an optimal environment for hens. It’s expected that 50 per cent of Canada’s laying-hen operations will transition within the next eight years, and will reach 85-100 per cent by 2025. At present, of the 26 million hens being raised to lay eggs and as breeders, only 14 per cent are housed in ‘enriched’ environments.

Canadian egg producers are looking for long-term options that mitigate the maintenance costs of more complex housing systems. Environmental technology that improves air quality while protecting equipment will represent viable market for manufacturers, as will those that offer housing systems that provide more efficient handling of hens and eggs.

Repair and maintenance of equipment is currently dominated by suppliers out of Europe, the preferred vendors for European Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs). However, domestic equipment suppliers for aftermarket parts and services offer attractive options that offer egg producers cost benefits for long-term maintenance programs.

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