Carry out an analysis of the frozen chicken value chain and decide which participants in EXERCISES the value chain are in a structurally weak position. The main participants in the chicken value chain are as follows:

◦ Research: genetic selection of the best laying hens.

◦ Breeding of laying hens: a laying hen lays eggs for 18 months nonstop, after which it is sold to the pet food industry.

◦ Hatcheries: the eggs are placed in incubators stacked in batteries for an 18-day incubation period followed by a 3-day hatching period, and kept at the appropriate temperature and level of humidity.

◦ Rearing: chickens are reared for around 40 days, until they reach a weight of 1.8 kg.

This function provides additional income for a couple who, thanks to computerised equipment, only needs to spend two to three hours/day attending to the chickens.

◦ Feed: produced by animal feed groups, which develop subtle blends of wheat, maize and soya or rape seed proteins.

◦ Slaughterhouses: 20,000 chickens are anaesthetised, decapitated, processed, and frozen per hour, then exported mainly to the Middle East.