Leading Research: in Biosecurity & Flock Health
Maximising the health and productivity of hens is fundamental to maximising egg production and achieving satisfactory egg quality.
The increasing proportion of free range hens in recent years and the greater variability within free range production systems has the potential to impact the reliability of egg supply and consumer confidence.
Investment in R&D will focus on the investigation of short term, industry transferable solutions to hen disease and biosecurity threats, as well as long term research investigating the development of vaccines and therapeutic medicines to ensure that we are addressing more complex issues. The intended outcome is lower hen mortality rates, less and shorter breaks in production and consequently, increased productivity.
To assist the industry in maintaining strict biosecurity Australian Eggs has produced a range of resources to translate research learnings into helpful on-farm resources. The booklets can be downloaded below, or ordered in printed format from Australian Eggs.
Key Resources
Current Research
Genetic restoration to protect Australian poultry against Avian Influenza
The initial stage of research found the key in chicken genetics that is responsible for high pathogenic avian influenza virus. This project builds on this important finding, by testing the most appropriate and effective intervention to prevent low pathogenic avian influenza progressing to high pathogenic avian influenza.
Investigations of upper respiratory tract infections (URTI)
Upper respiratory tract infections are becoming increasingly common on egg farms costing the egg industry by way of vaccination, medication, and overall productivity losses.
Extension and communication strategies to improve biosecurity
This project will develop the most appropriate and applicable biosecurity extension and communications
strategies that will target small, medium and large segments of the egg industry.Effect of microbiota seeding on gut health and egg production
Extending flocks productive lifespan has been a challenge for the egg industry and remains a priority. This project aims to investigate the “seeding” of gut with beneficial organisms as a potential layer hen
management strategy to improve the gut health of hens.Decontamination project for the Australian poultry industry
In this jointly funded project, researchers will address knowledge gaps in current decontamination procedures in the broiler and layer industries. Researchers will develop a guideline comprised of everyday decontamination procedures, which will help to manage the risk of disease infecting and spreading within poultry flocks.
Optimising performance, health, flock consistency & egg quality characteristics through management
In this project, researchers will work with free range farms to understand the management factors which influence common problems in free range systems such as variable peak of lay timing and inconsistent egg size and quality.
Completed Research
Occurrence and control of fatty liver haemorrhagic syndrome (FLHS) in caged hens
Since the 1950s there has been extensive research into the causes and prevention of fatty liver haemorrhagic syndrome (FLHS).
Vaccination and infectious bronchitis virus (IBV) challenge in mature laying hens
All pullets currently reared in Australia for egg production are vaccinated with live attenuated strains of infectious bronchitis virus (IBV).However, questions have been raised about possible negative effects of attenuated vaccines in adult layer birds.
Development of real-time PCR test to quantify infections bronchitis virus in tissues of chickens
This study was conducted to develop and evaluate the use of reverse transcriptase real time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) to detect and quantify the viral copy number of infectious bronchitis virus (IBV) from infected tissues of vaccinated and unvaccinated laying hens.
Rapid identification and pathotyping of virulent IBDV, NDV and AI isolates
The objectives for this project were the development, evaluation and implementation of molecular diagnostic tests for the rapid identification of infectious bursal disease virus (IBDV), Newcastle disease virus (NDV) and avian influenza virus (AIV).
Improving mycoplasma vaccines - targets for defined attenuation
This project aims to improve the effectiveness of mycoplasma vaccines, and to use these findings to develop new vaccines capable of providing protection against variant strains that may not be controlled by the current generation of vaccines.
Molecular epidemiology and pathogenesis of infectious laryngotracheitis viruses in Australia
The purpose of this study was to determine the virulence and spread of the Australian ILTV virus, in order to establish a genetic marker for the disease.This could then be developed as a tool for investigating the epidemiology of the disease.
Use of cytokines to enhance vaccine efficacy in poultry
This report outlines the analysis of the immune response during Marek's disease virus infection and the development of reagents used, and assessed, as potential cytokine therapeutics and vaccine adjuvants.
Investigating the cause of Miliary Hepatitis in laying chickens
Miliary hepatitis can cause mortalities and loss of egg production in chickens.The cause is unknown.This trial attempted to establish a model of the disease, so that preventative and control measures can be undertaken.
Typing of Pasteurella multocida
The objective of the project was to establish a novel DNA-based typing scheme for Pasteurella multocida.This publication describes the development of the first ever Multi-locus Sequence Typing scheme for this bacteria. .
Further development of a live attenuated vaccine for chicken anaemia virus
This study is a follow up to a previous study on chicken anaemia virus and the improvement of a Live Attenuated Vaccine for the virus.
Investigating sanitation of surface water for poultry using chlorine - IBDV models
To minimise the spread of disease, chlorination has been identified as the most appropriate and cost effective method for treating surface water in the poultry industry.
Lupins for Poultry
Lupins are a type of legume which are an excellent source of protein in animal feed.
Systematic pathotyping of Australian Marek's disease (MDV) isolates
Increasing the understanding of the evolution in virulence of Marek's Disease virus in Australia, and to providing up-to-date information to the industry was the objective of this study.
Determination of the genomic sequence of Mycoplasma gallisepticum
This study follows the University of Melbourne project to sequence the genome of the Mycoplasma gallisepticum disease.This project was undertaken in order to develop a better vaccine against this disease.
Molecular epidemiology of Newcastle disease virus in Australia
This project was undertaken in order to achieve the following goals; to develop a better understanding of the epidemiology of Newcastle disease virus, to determine the cause of virulent outbreaks of the virus, to develop a rapid molecular diagnostic procedures and to develop a better understanding of the mutation rates...
Projects you might find interesting
Practical strategies to increase individual layer hens feed efficiency
The overall findings of this study reveal that significant variation exists in the feed efficiency of layer hens. In this project, hens that put on more weight from the point of lay to mid-lay tended to be less feed efficient and have poorer quality eggs. The high feed efficient hens had better egg quality and were less prone to liver damage or fatty liver.
Review of rodent control for the Australian chicken meat and egg industries
This final report on current rodent control strategies employed by the Australian chicken meat and egg industries also includes a manual for producers on use of rodenticide products.
Spotty Liver Disease Epidemiology
This project identified key risk factors for Spotty Liver Disease outbreak.
On-farm Biosecurity Risk Identification Framework for the Australian layer industry
This report provides a support tool for Australian egg producers to determine biosecurity risks on-farm. As well as assisting Egg producers in understanding what constitutes a risk and why, the report offers potential management strategies to decrease on-farm risks to biosecurity.