‘Size matters’: Could large eggs be killing hens?

Animal welfare groups in East Anglia are urging people to stop buying large eggs as they say it can be painful, and in some cases fatal, for hens to lay them.

They want people to make the switch over to mixed or smaller eggs, which they claim would be better for both our feathered friends and farmers. 

Experts say egg size is mainly down to genetics, but changing food quantity and types can also play a part alongside genetic breeding. 

Demand from people across the country is causing some farmers across the region to try and produce large ones according to one charity. 

It is estimated people across the UK eat 12 billion eggs every year, with many favouring large or extra large ones. 

But East Anglian volunteers for the Hen Welfare groups say moving away from buying large eggs could make a big difference. 

Fliss Argent who lives in North Weald, Essex, says that if her hen Florence lays large eggs it can deplete her of calcium and protein.

The British Hen Welfare Trust has launched a ‘size matters’ campaign in an effort to make people think twice before only buying large eggs.