Interested in Starting a Commercial Egg Farm?

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Commercial Egg Farming – Guides and Information

If you are considering starting up a commercial egg farm here is some information and links that should help you get started.

If you have any questions or queries about any of the terms used below, please refer to the glossary, and for more detailed guidance please contact us.

The Animal Welfare (Layer Hens) Code of Welfare 2012 details the minimum standards for all hen production systems.
You will need a Risk Management Programme (RMP) if you are going to produce eggs for sale. An RMP is designed to identify, control, manage and eliminate or minimise hazards and other risk factors so that the resulting animal product is fit for intended purpose, under Part 2 of the Animal Products Act. Further details of the RMP can be found at the Ministry for Primary Industries’ Food Safety website.
The Egg Producers Federation Code of Practice covers a range of issues associated with egg production.
You will need to decide whether to purchase and rear day-old chicks, or alternatively, to purchase point-of-lay hens from a rearer. If you have no experience with poultry production, it would be advisable to purchase point-of-lay pullets from a rearer. (A point-of-lay pullet is a young hen 16 -18 weeks old who has not yet started to lay eggs but will do so in the next 2-3 weeks).
There are two hatcheries supplying day old chicks in New Zealand: Golden Coast Commercial, which supplies Hyline breed laying hens, and Bromley Park Hatcheries, which supplies Shaver breed laying hens.
Farmers who purchase over 100 day-old chicks annually from a hatchery qualify for EPFNZ membership. If you decide to purchase point-of-lay pullets rather than day-old chicks, you also qualify to become an EPF member. For a farmer to become an EPFNZ member they must complete a membership form. Please go to our contact page and provide your details and we will be in touch.
You will need to feed your chickens a nutritionally sound diet to ensure they are kept in good health and produce well. Information on feed suppliers in your area can be found at the New Zealand Feed Manufacturers website.
The egg labelling guide is a summary of the egg-related section of the Food Standards Code, which governs what needs to be displayed on the packaging of eggs. Use the following link to access the Latest Egg labelling requirements 2009.
NB: You may need to get resource consent for the farm. Harrison Grierson undertakes resource consent work for the industry and has industry knowledge that will assist you.

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About the Egg Producers Federation

The Egg Producers Federation of New Zealand Inc.
(EPF) represents the interests of all the commercial
egg farmers and producers in New Zealand.

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Helpful Links

NZ Eggs/I Love Eggs
Ministry for Primary Industries
NZ Feed Manufacturers Association
Poultry Industry Association New Zealand
WorkSafe New Zealand

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