Lohmann Lite EU comes to the UK

Published on : 7 Apr 2026

Kenny Shaw MD, and Stacey Munday, Technical Manager Lohmann GB, SE and SW were on hand to help with the placement

Lohmann GB have made the decision to expand their breed offering in the UK with the introduction of the Lohmann LSL Lite EU.

What the EU can bring to the UK
Adrian Marshall (Sales & Technical Director) stated, “we were approached by many of our producers and customers who wanted to see another white option in the UK alongside our Lohmann LSL Classic. The markets we are supplying are changing and producers are looking for options but more over they want flexibility and longevity from our breeds”.

Lohmann GB have worked in partnership with Lohmann Breeders to select the correct breed to bring to the UK market. The Lohmann LSL Lite EU is a well-established breed within Europe and was introduced in response to a changing EU Market where egg size was not the predominant factor anymore and producers and retailers started to look at egg numbers and longevity in place of size but wanted to maintain the late lay shell quality with Lohmann breeds.

UK based Parent Stocks (PS) were also a must for the market, this allows us to control our inputs but also allow access to markets that are developing and expanding.

At the time of writing this article, the first commercial LSL Lite EU chicks were being placed on a rearing farm, Kenny Shaw (MD) was on hand to help with the placement.

Kenny stated ‘this is an exciting expansion of the Lohmann offering in the UK and Ireland and we look forward to working with all the Rearers and Producers to maximise the returns from this established breed’.

The beauty of the LSL Lite EU is that she can covers all the bases for UK and Irish producers with an egg weight that can be controlled to promote egg number or has the potential to increase to provide more Class A ‘Large’. This goes back to the ethos for Lohmann GB - ‘The Right Hen for every system and the Right Egg for every market.’

Lohmann have always been keen to provide a clear target for our breeds rather than providing a range for such things as egg weight but in the case of the LSL Lite EU we knew that our market would require a different approach as different customers were wanting different outcomes. We therefore have worked with Lohmann Breeders to provide an effective range of egg weight and therefore ‘Egg Mass’ which can meet the producer and market requirements.

It is very interesting because when you compare the LSL Lite EU to the LSL Classic you think there would be a significant difference between the Egg Mass in favour of the Classic due to egg size but if you look at the data then the LSL Lite EU could actually produce an additional 500g of egg mass over the classic.

Shell Quality
But size and numbers are only part of the equation when we are looking at taking flocks longer and longer, numbers count but it is quality that sells and this is where Lohmann use their market leading knowledge on proven shell quality throughout lay.

Small reductions make a big impact

100 Weeks and Beyond
Longevity has become the key word in the egg sector recently on both Brown and White flocks. White flocks started this trend and it now continues to gain pace. 100 weeks was the original target but this has already been superseded and producers are now looking at 110 weeks and beyond.

Lohmann are continuing to push this trend and we have seen a Barn flock out in Europe complete a cycle to 120 weeks, with the following KPI’s.

We are also seeing Free Range and Organic flocks push beyond the 100 weeks which shows the potential of the LSL Lite EU breed and the opportunities for producers.

Preparation is the Key
When looking to take flocks to 100 weeks and beyond, ‘Preparation’ is key in early lay but also in rear, Lohmann Breeders have carried out a number of research studies that show the body weight of a 5-week-old birds can impact the performance and longevity at 100+ weeks.

Preparation for a laying hens starts at day 0 from the Hatchery and continues on the Rearing Farm but also continues on until 30 Weeks, the birds delivered to the farm are not the finished article and we need to remember this when we are setting up flocks to produce for potentially over 20 months.

Body frame and structure are vital to creating a bird that can perform and this is where communication from across the chain is paramount. The producer needs to be working with the Rearer and in turn the breed company to ensure that it is clear on the expectations of the flock so they can be achieved.

The conversation does not stop there, communication needs to be had with the feed company and veterinary support to ensure the early development of the birds is aligned with the long term goals of the flock.

Summary
As the market continues to adapt and change so will the breeds offered by Lohmann GB. The challenges we face now and in the future are ones we can meet and exceed when a conversation happens.

As we look to the future and a possible white one, we also need to be looking at the present to ensure the flocks we are placing can meet and exceed the producers requirements.