08 Jul The Best Egg Grading ‘Machine’ In The Nigerian Poultry Sector
Introduction
Want to understand why Nigerian customers prefer visually large eggs even over heavier ones? Read >>>
In the Nigerian egg market, there’s an unspoken but powerful truth: the eyes of the customer often decide the value of your product—not the actual weight. This practice, known as “eye gauge”, has become the invisible hand behind countless rejections, pricing disputes, and financial losses for poultry farmers across the country.
At Petros Farms, we call this what it is: The Eye Egg Grading Economy. And it’s slowly but surely killing the poultry business.
How Did We Get Here?
In many Nigerian markets, eggs are judged not by what they weigh—but by how “big” they look. Consumers pick up eggs, squint against the sunlight, and proclaim their verdict:
“This one is too small.”
Never mind that the egg weighs 64 grams.
Never mind that it meets global grading standards.
Never mind that the nutrition is on point.
If it doesn’t look big, it doesn’t sell.
This is not just a cultural quirk. It is a systemic problem that affects every link in the value chain—from farmers to retailers, and even the consumers themselves.
The Real Cost of Eye Gauge
Eye grading might feel harmless, but it’s bleeding poultry businesses in ways most people don’t even realize.
– Rejected eggs lead to unsold inventory.
– Inconsistent pricing erodes profit margins.
– Customer mistrust grows when size expectations are not met.
– Farmer frustration increases when science is ignored for perception.
– No incentive for quality when perception rules over measurement.
In short: we lose money, consistency, and quality—all because we’ve allowed the naked eye to be our scale.
Let’s Be Honest: If You Grade By Eye, Your Eggs Are Ungraded
Say it with us:
If you’ve ever graded eggs by eye… you haven’t graded them at all.
Your eggs are ungraded. Full stop.
Grading is a technical process.
Grading is a science.
Grading must be precise.
If you’re guessing, you’re not grading. You’re gambling.
The Bigger Illusion: Perception as Reality
What makes this more dangerous is that perception now dictates market dynamics. A farmer with perfectly weighed eggs might still get turned away because the eggs “look” small. Customers equate visual size with:
– More value
– Better nutrition
– Higher status
But this is false logic. Some eggs may be rounder, some longer. Volume and shape can trick the eye. Two eggs can weigh the same, yet look vastly different. We’ve seen it happen repeatedly at Petros Farms.
So again we ask: Is your egg really too small… or just not big enough to the eye?
How Do We Break Free from the Eye Economy?
It starts with farmers. It starts with you.
✅ Step 1: Stop using your eyes to grade
If you don’t own a digital scale, don’t call your eggs graded. Just don’t.
✅ Step 2: Weigh. Document. Educate.
Use digital scales to track your egg weights weekly.
Print and display egg weight standards.
Educate your buyers. Reset their expectations.
✅ Step 3: Invest in consistency
Choose breeds known for reliable egg size.
Feed for size starting early—especially from 16 weeks.
Reduce stress and optimize lighting for peak laying performance.
✅ Step 4: Push for real standards
The real revolution starts when every farm stops grading with the eye and starts grading with science.
Conclusion:
Fixing the Problem—One Farm at a Time
At Petros Farms, we’re done with illusions. We believe in accuracy over assumption. Because in poultry farming, size matters—but only accurate size truly matters.
So if you’re tired of hearing: “Your eggs are too small…” Then stop being part of the problem.
Let’s move from eye gauge to egg grading machines.
From perception to precision.
From guesswork to data.
Final Words to Farmers:
If your customers are judging by eye, it’s time you start leading by truth.
Because when we all raise the standard, the market will follow.
Let’s fix this—one farm at a time.
Cheers.
Nelson Echebiri, MD, MBA