58 Years of Studying Chickens with Ken Anderson

05/09/25 • 29 min

This week on Eggheads, we're chatting with Dr. Ken Anderson, a long-time poultry scientist and a Professor in the Prestage Department of Poultry Science at North Carolina State University. Ken has been working with eggs since he was 6 years old, and his perspective is informed by a wealth of hands-on industrial and academic experience.

One of his biggest contributions is a project called the Layer Performance and Management Test. It's a long running trial where different breeds of hens are raised under various production systems to measure their impact on egg output, feed efficiency, shell quality, and various other factors. Running the test has given Ken a unique vantage point to observe the industry's trajectory over the past decades.

In this episode me and Ken talk about all of the changes he's witnessed in his nearly 60 years working in the egg industry, including the evolution of layer housing, egg safety protocols and the animal welfare debate. This is a fascinating and wide-ranging discussion that includes some controversial opinions. And while you may not agree with them, they'll definitely make you think.

Are you an egg industry pro? Reach out to be a guest on the show! Connect with us on LinkedIn and Instagram. And please rate Eggheads on Spotify and Apple Podcasts.

If you're interested in sponsoring a future episode of Eggheads, you can contact us by filling out this form.

Are you an egg industry pro? Reach out to be a guest on the show! Connect with us on LinkedIn and Instagram. And please rate Eggheads on Spotify and Apple Podcasts.

If you're interested in sponsoring a future episode of Eggheads, you can contact us by filling out this form.

Previous Episode

Climbing the Egg Ladder—and Leading Through It All with Mark Kellen of Daybreak Foods

This week on Eggheads, we sit down with Mark Kellen, Executive Vice President at Daybreak Foods, to explore the mindset, skillset, and lived experience behind leadership in the egg industry. From his beginnings on a small family farm in Minnesota to overseeing operations across six states, Mark’s journey is rooted in curiosity, adaptability, and an unwavering commitment to his team.

We unpack what it takes to become a well-rounded general manager—from hands-on live bird work to managing budgets, community relations, and customer expectations. Mark shares how Daybreak is building internal pipelines of leadership through tailored development plans and cross-training opportunities, and why communication is the most overlooked (yet essential) ingredient in promoting from within.

The episode also touches on Mark’s firsthand experience navigating avian influenza—from the emotional toll of depopulation to the importance of transparent planning and employee trust. It’s a candid conversation about growth, grit, and what it means to lead during both steady days and storms.

Are you an egg industry pro? Reach out to be a guest on the show! Connect with us on LinkedIn and Instagram. And please rate Eggheads on Spotify and Apple Podcasts.

If you're interested in sponsoring a future episode of Eggheads, you can contact us by filling out this form.

Next Episode

A Practical Look at Vaccines with Joel Harris of Genvax

We've talked before about how government policy has prevented the egg industry from using vaccines to fight Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza. But if there was a policy shift tomorrow, and producers were given the green light to immunize their birds, what would that effort even look like? Where would the vaccines comes from? How would we know they're safe and effective? How much would they cost? And who would be expected to foot that bill?

Joel Harris is the co-founder of Genvax. An economist by trade, he has nearly 20 years of experience working in the field of animal vaccine development. His company, Genvax, uses an RNA platform that allows them to quickly develop vaccines, and respond rapidly to emerging diseases. Today, Joel walks us through the complex logistics and economics of vaccine development, as well as his own companies efforts to develop a tool to fight HPAI.

This is a fascinating issue that sits at the intersection of business, politics and science. Joel does a great job of breaking it all down for us, and shedding light on the inner workings of a niche but vital industry.

Are you an egg industry pro? Reach out to be a guest on the show! Connect with us on LinkedIn and Instagram. And please rate Eggheads on Spotify and Apple Podcasts.

If you're interested in sponsoring a future episode of Eggheads, you can contact us by filling out this form.