Economic Analysis of Commercial Layer Production Decisions for Family Farm Operators

Egg production in Georgia traditionally was by small producers with eggs marketed through retail stores. Beginning in the early 1960's feed millers, egg distributors and broiler integrators began shifting from broilers and other enterprises to commercial egg production. Growth of the industry through the decade of the sixties developed into two different types of production and marketing structures. Industry leaders primarily interested in selling feed, and handling eggs encouraged expansion of independent ownership of flocks by small producers. Independent producers purchased feed and started pullets at retail prices and sold eggs on a grade-yield basis to processor-distributors. Other industry leaders encouraged vertical integration by offering production contracts. Contract producers provided facilities and labor for egg production and received a fixed payment per unit from the integrator. The integrators owned the layers and provided feed, medication and supervision for flocks.