Leading Research
To generate focused research, Australian Eggs works with industry to build a clearer understanding of the needs of farmers, identifies research groups with the skills to address the issues, and develops targeted research project ideas that have clear pathways to on-farm adoption.
Latest Research Project
Spotty Liver Disease Epidemiology
This project identified key risk factors for Spotty Liver Disease outbreak.
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Australian egg layer disease benchmarking survey
The project aimed to provide a summary of the current disease burden in the Australian layer industry.
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.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.
Optimisation of use of probiotics for control of Salmonella in hens
This project tested the effect of commercially available probiotics and synbiotics on layer gut development and Salmonella shedding. Results indicated that continuous feeding of a Bacillus based probiotic supplement can benefit layers.
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.
Assessment of the efficacy of autogenous vaccines in Spotty Liver Disease control
This project demonstrated that autogenous vaccination of Campylobacter hepaticus can produce a measurable humoral immune response in layer hens. This humoral response is related to some level of protection against Spotty Liver Disease.
Closing the Loop: Black Soldier Fly technology to convert agricultural waste
Black soldier fly farming (BSF) provides a low-cost waste management solution for converting agricultural waste into high quality fertiliser (BSF castings or frass) and protein (BSF larvae as animal feed).
Spotty Liver Disease Epidemiology
This project identified key risk factors for Spotty Liver Disease outbreak.
Sustainable worm control with improved understanding, methods and information availability
Through surveying producers, collecting faecal samples and examining spent hens, researchers will be able to determine the prevalence and significance of worm infection in free range layer flocks in Australia.
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.
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.
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.
Barriers to the implementation of Max- profit and Stochastic models to industry
This research found that more resources and education may be needed to help nutritionists implement Stochastic and Max- profit feed formulation in the Australian layer industry.
Traceability for the egg industry
Robust traceability systems are critical to ensuring that in the event of egg quality and food safety issues, the correct farms, specific production areas or sheds can be efficiently identified, and steps taken to rectify concerns.