Why are chicken eggs packaged in a dozen?

The reason why chicken eggs are packaged in a dozen is a combination of historical and practical reasons:

* Historical: The concept of a dozen likely originated in ancient Mesopotamia, where 12 was considered a sacred number. The Romans also used 12 as a base for their counting system.

* Practical:

* Ease of Counting: A dozen is a convenient and easy number to divide and multiply, making it simple for both sellers and buyers to calculate quantities.

* Standardization: Using dozens for packaging allowed for a standard unit of measure, ensuring that consumers were getting a consistent quantity of eggs.

* Efficiency: A dozen eggs fit conveniently into containers and are easy to transport.

* Divisibility: A dozen can be easily divided into smaller units like half-dozens (6), quarters (3), and even thirds (4), making it flexible for individual needs.

While the historical reasons are interesting, it's the practical reasons that continue to make the dozen a popular choice for egg packaging today.