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ARS Home » Southeast Area » Athens, Georgia » U.S. National Poultry Research Center » Egg and Poultry Production Safety Research Unit » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #266301
Title: Prevalence of Pathogens Associated with Eggs and the Environment of Conventional Cage and Free Range Egg Production

Author
item Jones, Deana
item ANDERSON, K - North Carolina State University
item Guard, Jean

Submitted to: Poultry Science Association Meeting Abstract
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 4/1/2011
Publication Date: 7/16/2011
Citation: Jones, D.R., Anderson, K.E., Guard, J.Y. 2011. Prevalence of Pathogens Associated with Eggs and the Environment of Conventional Cage and Free Range Egg Production. Poultry Science Association Meeting Abstract. Poultry Science: Paper 75.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Alternative egg production methods are becoming more popular with US consumers. As the drive to expand the retail shell egg market to accommodate consumer shifts proceeds, a need arises for additional information to ensure processing methodologies result in safe eggs from all egg sources. A study was conducted to determine if there were differences in the prevalence of Salmonella, Listeria, and Campylobacter on and within eggs and in the environment of a sister flock of conventional cage and free range laying hens. Microbial sampling occurred approximately every six weeks between 20-79 wks of age. There was a significantly greater (P < 0.0001) prevalence of Campylobacter present in the free range nest boxes (NBS) compared to free range grass (FRG) and conventional cage swab (CS) samples (number of positives: 8 NBS; 1 FRG; 0 CS). Seven isolates of Listeria innocua were detected with no significant difference in prevalence between the treatments. Isolates were associated with egg shells (2 free range floor; 1 cage) and the free range environment (2 NBS; 2 FRG). There were twenty-one Salmonella isolates detected between all sample locations. There was no significant difference in the prevalence of Salmonella detection between the treatments. Additional studies are needed to fully understand the impact of alternative production methods on the prevalence of pathogens in nest run eggs.