Czech J. Anim. Sci., 2010, 55(6):243-249 | DOI: 10.17221/64/2009-CJAS

The influence of housing systems on the air quality and bacterial eggshell contamination of table eggs

M. Vučemilo1, B. Vinković2, K. Matković1, I. Štoković3, S. Jakšić4, S. Radović5, K. Granić4, Đ. Stubičan6
1 Department of Animal Hygiene, Environment and Ethology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia
2 Laboratory of Ecology, Croatian Veterinary Institute, Zagreb, Croatia
3 Department of Stockbreeding, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia
4 ZIN-LAB Laboratory for Foodstuffs of Animal Origin, Zagreb Veterinary Clinic, Zagreb, Croatia
5 Inspection Directorate, Ministry of Environmental Protection, Physical Planning and Construction, Zagreb, Croatia
6 Library, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia

This paper compares two different housing systems for laying hens producing table eggs, 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 × 104 CFU/m3 to 8.9 × 104 CFU/m3, and the levels of airborne fungi ranged from 1.6 × 104 to 1.9 × 104 CFU/m3, while the levels of airborne bacteria and fungi determined in the conventional cage system ranged from 1.6 × 104 to 2.5 × 104 CFU/m3 and from 0.8 × 104 to 1.3 × 104 CFU/m3, respectively. Microbial air contamination was associated with eggshell contamination, with the levels in the aviary ranging from 5.4 × 103 to 9.6 × 103 CFU/eggshell and those in the conventional cage system ranging from 2.3 × 103 to 3.6 × 103 CFU/eggshell. Airborne dust levels in the aviary and conventional cage system ranged from 3.2 to 4.6 mg/m3 and from 0.7 to 1.2 mg/m3, 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.

Keywords: conventional cage system; aviary; air hygiene; eggshell; microorganisms

Published: June 30, 2010  Show citation

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Vučemilo M, Vinković B, Matković K, Štoković I, Jakšić S, Radović S, et al.. The influence of housing systems on the air quality and bacterial eggshell contamination of table eggs. Czech J. Anim. Sci. 2010;55(6):243-249. doi: 10.17221/64/2009-CJAS.
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