Innovation behind China's 'egg freedom'

Wu Guiqin has been deeply involved in frontline scientific research and independent innovation in poultry breeding, with numerous original achievements in poultry breeding applied to industrial practices. Wu's team has established a commercial breeding technology system centered on genomic technology and supported by information technology. The system has been widely used in developing new breeds of laying and broiler chickens, resulting in five high-yield layer lines and three white-feather broiler lines, significantly contributing to China's self-reliance and control over poultry breeding technology.

The five breeds of Jing-series layers — Jinghong 1, Jingfen 1, Jingfen 2, Jingbai 1, and Jingfen 6 — cover all egg colors, weights, and feather colors. With a total of 7.8 billion layers going into the market, the Jing-series breeds cover a domestic market share of 60 percent.

Jingfen 6, born in 2019, was a milestone in China's egg-laying hens supply transition from import constraints to independent supply. Jingfen 6 is a China-created unique breed and the top choice for large-scale farming and branded egg companies. With Jingfen 6, China realized the international breeding goal of 500 eggs in 700 days, marking China's leap to a leading place in the global layer breeding industry.

Today, one in every 10 breeding eggs worldwide comes from Beijing. For every two eggs consumed by Chinese people, one comes from a Yukou layer in Pinggu. "By 2030, Yukou layers will represent the world's best laying hens," says Wu Guiqin.