Why are chicken eggs packaged in a dozen?

Answer 1

Actually, chicken eggs are sold in multiple of six. You can buy packages of six, twelve, eighteen, twenty-four, and at wholesale retailers like Costco or Sams Club thirty-six. There are some stores today that will sell eggs as they were sold 100 years ago, in any quantity you want. If you look at the twelve pack of eggs in your fridge you'll notice that you can easily break or cut the container in half, and have two six egg packages.

No one really knows why they are sold this way. Up and through the 1920's eggs were sold at the counter at markets, placed in a paper bag when purchased and carried home. Sometime in the 1930's the egg trays were introduced, and buyers would place their purchases in the trays, easing breakage. But why multiples of six, it isn't known.

Egg producers in the United Kingdom were considering a round egg carton that held seven eggs in it back in 2002, the marketing reason for the change was, "an egg a day," for the buyer.

Answer 2

There are several good theories.

• The first is mathematical/ Twelve can be divided into halves, quarters and thirds easily. This 12 based system does not imply that ancient Brits has six fingers per hand just that they liked their math simple. A circle has 360 degrees (30 dozen) On a compass this puts the cardinal directions at each 90 degrees (360/4 degrees)
  
• The British used this 12 based system for their money as well (a shilling was 12 pence). SOoeggs could be sold at a penny each or a shilling for a dozen

As an aside the baker's dozen of 13 units relates to selling by the dozen and adding one extra to ensure the minimum weight requirements were met.