Increasing demand and tighter restrictions have left many supermarket shelves egg-less.

A drop in the number of laying chickens nationwide as a result of new regulations, plus more consumers opting for free range eggs, has seen farmers struggle to keep up with demand.

Poultry Industry Association executive director Michael Brooks told Mike Yardley it's been one challenge after another for the industry.

He says the mandated required for caged eggs to be phased out and the decision by supermarkets to refuse colony eggs has put some real confusion in the minds of farmers.

Colony eggs still involve hens in cages.