EGG QUALITY AND SAFETY: IMPACT OF HEN STRAINS IN AN AVIARY HOUSING SYSTEM

• Sponsoring Institution: Agricultural Research Service/USDA
• Project Status: ACTIVE
• Funding Source: USDA COOPERATIVE AGREEMENT
• Reporting Frequency: Annual
• Accession No.: 0429281
• Project Start Date: Aug 3, 2015
• Project End Date: Jul 31, 2016
• Program Code: [(N/A)]- (N/A)

Recipient Organization
MICHIGAN STATE UNIV
(N/A)
EAST LANSING,MI 48824

Performing Department
(N/A)

Non Technical Summary
(N/A)

Animal Health Component

40%

Research Effort Categories

Basic

40%

Applied

40%

Developmental

20%

Classification

Knowledge Area (KA)	Subject of Investigation (SOI)	Field of Science (FOS)	Percent
503	3210	1100	50%
712	3270	1100	50%

Knowledge Area
712 - Protect Food from Contamination by Pathogenic Microorganisms, Parasites, and Naturally Occurring Toxins; 503 - Quality Maintenance in Storing and Marketing Food Products;

Subject Of Investigation
3210 - Egg-type chicken, live animal; 3270 - Eggs;

Field Of Science
1100 - Bacteriology;

Keywords

hen

housing

food

safety

food

quality

shell

egg

Goals / Objectives
The overall objective is to evaluate hen performance and well-being, as well as egg safety, quality, and functionality of four different strains of laying hens in an aviary housing system. The specific objectives that will help to achieve the overarching objective include: 1. Evaluate performance and assess hen well-being; 2. Assess impacts on egg quality and functionality of fresh and stored eggs; and 3. Assess impacts on the shedding of Salmonella spp., as well as environmental and egg microbiology.

Project Methods
No information on egg microbiology from hen strains within an aviary system can be found, so the impact of microbiology of eggs laid in various parts of an aviary system is unknown. Additionally, understanding the production parameters within the aviary system and impact on hen well-being is important. The project is designed to provide an unbiased assessment of two current white and brown-egg strains available for purchase by US egg producers. The pullets will be grown so each strain meets the recommended body weights provided by the specific breeder management guide. Feed intake, feed:gain, and nutrient intake will be monitored throughout the rearing phase. The performance of the strains will be monitored concurrently during the rearing and laying house during the project per experimental protocol. Data collected will include: feed consumption, feed conversion, egg characteristics, egg production, egg quality, mortality, Salmonella spp. shedding, as well as egg and environmental microbiology.