The influence of housing systems on the air quality and bacterial eggshell contamination of table eggs
2010
Vucemilo, M.,University of Zagreb (Croatia). Dept. of Animal Hygiene | Vinkovic, B.,Croatian Veterinary Inst., Zagreb (Croatia). Lab. of Ecology | Matkovic, K.,University of Zagreb (Croatia). Dept. of Animal Hygiene | Stokovic, I.,University of Zagreb (Croatia). Dept. of Stockbreeding | Jaksic, S.,Zagreb Veterinary Clinic (Croatia). ZIN-LAB Lab. for Foodstuffs of Animal Origin | Radovic, S.,Ministry of Environmental Protection, Physical Planning and Construction, Zagreb (Croatia). Inspection Directorate | Granic, K.,Zagreb Veterinary Clinic (Croatia). ZIN-LAB Lab. for Foodstuffs of Animal Origin | Stubican, D.,University of Zagreb (Croatia). Faculty of Veterinary Medicine
This paper compares two different housing systems for laying hens, namely a conventional cage system and an aviary, during three summer months, starting from the 20th week of the production cycle. Research was focused on airborne bacteria, fungi and dust levels, and on the bacterial eggshell contamination. Levels of airborne bacteria determined in the aviary system were many times higher and ranged from 6.2 x 10*4 CFU/cubic m to 8.9 x 10*4 CFU/cubic m, and the levels of airborne fungi ranged from 1.6 x 10*4 to 1.9 x 10*4 CFU/cubic m, while the levels of airborne bacteria and fungi determined in the conventional cage system ranged from 1.6 x 10*4 to 2.5 x 10*4 CFU/cubic m and from 0.8 x 10*4 to 1.3 x 10*4 CFU/cubic m, respectively. Microbial air contamination was associated with eggshell contamination, with the levels in the aviary ranging from 5.4 x 10*3 to 9.6 x 10*3 CFU/eggshell and those in the conventional cage system ranging from 2.3 x 10*3 to 3.6 x 10*3 CFU/eggshell. Airborne dust levels in the aviary and conventional cage system ranged from 3.2 to 4.6 mg/cubic m and from 0.7 to 1.2 mg/cubic m, respectively. From the aspect of animal welfare and behavioural requirements, alternative systems, i.e. aviaries, appear more acceptable; however, they are not satisfactory from hygienic aspects because of a higher content of airborne pollutants which can represent a greater risk of horizontal contamination of the egg content.
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