PSV-9 - The effect of management practices on eggshell cleanliness, bacteria levels and cuticle deposition in free-range poultry

Small-scale egg production is a growing industry in New England; however, foodborne illness risk exists from small-scale free-range eggs due to lack of guidelines for safe handling and management practices. We hypothesized that the manure level (ML) of the eggs along with management practices will affect both the total bacterial levels (relative light units= RLU) and the cuticle deposition (CD) of the eggshell. Hens (n = 53) were used in this study and housed at Peckham Farm (URI; Kingston, RI) in a mobile coop that allowed free ranging. The management practice experiments were divided into nest box type, location, substrate and time/frequency of collection. The CD experiments involved nesting boxes and nest substrate. Data were analyzed using SAS proc mixed/two sample t-test (P ≤ 0.05). There is a difference in ML between level 1 and 2 and level 1 and 3 eggs. Eggs collected from the conventional (CONV; n = 37) and rollaway (n = 25) nest boxes showed no difference in RLU or CD (P ≥ 0.42). Eggs collected from CONV with different nesting substrates (straw, shavings, AstroTurf nest pad; n = 179) showed no difference in RLU and CD (P ≥ 0.28). Nest box location (mounted vs floor level) showed no difference (P ≥ 0.65) in RLU values from eggs collected from CONV nest boxes. Time of collection (1pm vs 8 am) had a significant impact (P ≤ 0.02) in RLU values; however, frequency of collection showed no impact (P ≥ 0.49). The bacteria levels were most likely lower in the afternoon collection because the eggs laid that day did not spend as much time in nest boxes. In conclusion, although different nest boxes or substrates did not change eggshell bacteria levels, management practices that minimize manure levels on eggs and increase the frequency of collection can help to maintain lower bacteria levels to reduce food safety risk.