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Container backlogs slowing cage-free conversions

Last fall Michigan’s egg industry proactively brought forth legislation to be cage-free by 2025.

Michigan Allied Poultry Industry executive director Allison Brink tells Brownfield many of the materials needed to update hen housing facilities are sourced from overseas and shipping delays at West Coast ports have delayed some progress.

“We’ve seen holdups whether its at sea or at the dock just physically getting those containers to the farms and we’re working with our elected officials and other outlets to help our farms in receiving those shipping containers,” she explains.

She says 60 percent of facilities in the state have already converted to cage-free houses and the total transition will cost producers $600 million.

There are more than 15 million hens in Michigan producing more than four billion eggs at seven farms across the state.