Egg quality starts with genetics

At Hendrix Genetics, we apply genomic selection to improve both external and internal egg traits. By analysing DNA markers and linking them to field-tested performance data, we can identify birds with superior genetic potential early in life, even before they lay their first egg!

For egg producers, this translates into:

• Fewer cracked eggs, thanks to stronger shells and improved thickness.
• Better shelf life, supported by higher albumen height / improved Haugh units.
• Improved uniformity, with consistent egg shell colour and egg shape.
• Reduced second-grade eggs, leading to more first quality eggs per hen housed, better margins and less waste.

In our breeding programs we measure a growing number of traits annually, with many of them being linked to egg quality. This includes shell breaking strength, internal defects, and egg shell quality beyond 100 weeks. Genomic selection allows us to improve multiple traits simultaneously, without compromising egg laying performance or feed efficiency.

One of the most impactful changes in recent years has been the extension of the laying cycle to 100 weeks. Hendrix Genetics was the first breeding company to implement this standard across all pure line birds. This decision has proven essential for selecting birds that maintain shell strength and internal quality well into late lay. By measuring traits like shell thickness, breaking strength, and Haugh units beyond 100 weeks, we ensure that the best-performing birds at the end of the cycle are also reliable throughout. This long-term testing approach has opened new opportunities for genetic improvement, especially in late-lay persistency and shell integrity.

While pure line birds are tested under high biosecurity and ideal conditions, Hendrix Genetics also conducts extensive field tests in commercial environments. These tests expose birds to varying feed quality, water conditions, and housing systems, providing a realistic view of how genetic traits perform under pressure. Egg quality traits—such as shell strength, colour, and internal freshness—are measured both in controlled and field settings. This dual approach ensures that genetic progress translates into practical benefits for producers, helping them reduce breakage, improve grading outcomes, and deliver consistent quality to the market.

For hatcheries and integrators, the benefits are clear: more predictable outcomes, stronger supply chains, and better alignment with customer needs. For producers, it means fewer surprises and more confidence in every flock.

Egg quality starts with genetics, and we remain committed to continuously improving our laying hen breeds, delivering value where it matters most: in the hatchery, on the farm, at the packing station, at the point of sale, and all the way to the kitchen.