EGGS SIZES SHRINKS DUE TO EXTREME HEAT

There is little supply of large size eggs in the markets, mostly small sizes from small, extra small and mini size that cost P120-P250 per tray. According to a wholesale seller egg manager, there are still large sizes available, but not as much as before, so the price is also increasing.

Small sizes production of eggs (Photo courtesy of Jovannie Lambayan/Philippine Star)

According to the Philippine Egg Board Association, the hot weather affects the number of eggs obtained. It also results in decreased production and increased cases of heat stroke in chickens, but there are ways to alleviate the hot weather. 

"We add supplements such as electrolytes, betaine, and other heat stress products, mechanically, we can add or put industrial fans inside the chicken coop to help with air circulation,” Francis Uyehara President of Philippine Egg Board Association stated.

"Additional cost, but we are balancing the increase in investment with what we will lose because of mortalities and the extreme fall in production," he added.

Meanwhile, the price of large size eggs is stable and should not increase, it is said that the supply is still too much since December because the public's consumption of eggs has also weakened.

The Department of Agriculture explained that egg-laying actually has a cycle and production will improve when the weather cools down, "when it's hot, especially our open space layers and eggs, the chickens' food naturally decreases and the effect of this is the eggs they produce will be smaller. When it's cold, they eat better and the eggs are bigger, so it's not a difficult situation.”

Source: GMA Integrated News

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