Bacteriological contamination, dirt, and cracks of eggshells in furnished cages and noncage systems for laying hens: An international on-farm comparison

摘要: ABSTRACT For laying hens, the effects of housing system on bacterial eggshell contamination and quality is almost exclusively studied in experimental hen houses. The aim this study was to compare hygiene under commercial conditions. Six flocks hens furnished cages 7 noncage systems were visited when about 60 wk age. Farms from Belgium, Netherlands, Germany included study. following parameters determined eggs sampled at egg belts: 1) contamination, as expressed by total count aerobic bacteria number Enterobacteriaceae; 2) proportion dirty eggs; 3) cracked with microcracks. Considerable within-flock differences found bacteria, both for (P ≤ 0.001, range 4.24 5.22 log cfu/eggshell) 4.35 5.51 cfu/eggshell). On average, lower levels (4.75 vs. 4.98 cfu/eggshell; P 0.001) eggshells compared systems. Concerning Enterobacteriaceae, no significant difference average between could be shown. percentage higher 0.01) (7.8%) (4.1%). This was, however, due high (24%) observed one cage farms. We conclude that bacteriological differed substantially individual farms using same system. may also explain some discrepancies findings present versus previous studies or a small Although statistically significant, nest have limited microbiological relevancy.