How can commercial layer operations manage the nesting behavior of cage-free brown layer breeders to eliminate the occurrence of floor-laid eggs?

Floor-laid eggs are a major economic problem in cage-free systems because they are highly contaminated with litter bacteria, reducing hatchability and chick quality. To manage nesting behavior and eliminate floor eggs, farmers must introduce nest boxes to pullets early during rearing at 16 weeks of age, allowing them to explore and become comfortable before lay begins. The nest interior must be dark (light intensity under 2 lux) and comfortable (using synthetic nest pads or soft bedding). Conversely, the floor area, particularly dark corners and under-feeder spaces, must be well-lit (minimum 20 lux) to discourage birds from nesting there. If a hen lays an egg on the floor, it must be collected immediately; leaving floor eggs encourages other hens to lay in the same spot due to gregarious nesting behavior. Nest management is detailed in the Poultry Encyclopedia, commercial automatic nest-boxes, artificial plastic decoy eggs, and egg collection systems are sold on Poultry Plaza, daily breeder rates are tracked on Poultry Rates, and cage-free breeders are traded on Murghi Mandi.