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
Biotechnology: Black solder fly for soil improvement
Australian Eggs is one of 6 contributing RDCs in this collaborative project. Researchers are developing a novel solution, using black soldier flies to convert agricultural waste into high quality fertiliser to improve soil.
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Spotty Liver Disease epidemiology
Researchers will collect information and cloacal swabs from 30 free range flocks across Australia to find patterns in Spotty Liver Disease infection. This data will improve our understanding of how management factors affect or prevent flock infection of Spotty Liver Disease.
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Sustainable worm control
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.
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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.
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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
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Live vaccines for three species of Eimeria
The objective of this project was to attenuate two strains of three species of Eimeria in order to candidate vaccine lines in terms of drug sensitivity.
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Molecular Diagnostics for Marek’s Disease
This project aimed to develop simple cost-effective sample collection techniques to detect the presence of a vaccine in the blood of vaccinated birds.
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The significance of Salmonella, particularly S. Infantis, to the Australian egg industry
This study was to expand upon previous survey work of layer flocks in Queensland by conducting longitudinal and point-in time surveys of Salmonella faecal carriage and feed contamination on farms.
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Detection of vvIBDV strains and Australian variants in poultry
This topic of this study is the very virulent infectious bursal disease virus (vvIBDV) and was carried out in order to develop a diagnostic test for potentially infected poultry.
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Investigations into the management of the darkling beetle
The darkling beetle is capable of transmitting diseases between chickens.This study reports on previous investigations into the insecticide resistance of darkling beetles, and highlights the need for a control plan.
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New Therapeutics for Poultry
The broad objective of this project was to assess the ability of ChIFN-γ to increase broiler growth performance, enhance vaccine efficacy and improve disease resistance.
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Development of a live attenuated vaccine for chicken anaemia virus
The chicken anaemia virus is associated with increased mortality rates amongst chickens.This study makes considerable progress towards developing a defined attenuated vaccine against the virus.
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Hindgut function in laying hens
This report details a series of experiments designed to provide evidence of a fermentative acidosis caused in the hindgut gut of layer-type birds after changes in their diet, and the development of a commercial feed enzyme.
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Control of Intestinal Spirochaete Infections in Chickens
Infection of layer and broiler breeders with Avian Intestinal Spirochaetosis (AIS) has emerged as a widespread constraint to optimal production in both the egg and chicken meat industries in Australia.The micro-organisms involved are difficult to isolate and characterise, therefore diagnosis of AIS is often difficult.
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Studies of Cloacal Haemorrhage, Vent Trauma and Beak Trimming in the Laying Hen
The long-term objective of this research program is to develop a world best practice to achieve peak egg production and to reduce mortalities to 2-3% in birds with intact beaks. .
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Investigating Sanitation of Surface Water for Poultry using Chlorine-IBDV Models
Significant numbers of commercial poultry production sites in Australia rely on surface waters (dams, creeks and rivers) as their major source of drinking water.
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Controlling Vent Trauma With Stockwound Sprays
Recent studies found that vent cannibalism was the biggest cause of loss in laying hens.Beak trimming, at two life stage intervals has been used as a means of controlling the problem.
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Enhancing mucosal immunity in chickens
Infection in chickens caused by microbial pathogens at the intestinal surface can be a challenge for the Australian poultry industry.However, there are a number of novel vaccination strategies which can enhance antibody production and reduce the incidence of infection and ultimately improve flock health and performance.
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Reducing Feather Pecking
This project aimed to improve feathering in laying hens by visually demonstrating (through video) the various bird behaviours that indicate positive and or negative outcomes.
Projects you might find interesting
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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.
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The efficacy of feed additives to reduce the impact of Spotty Liver Disease
Evaluation of the protective effect of various feed additives fed to commercial layers before exposure to the causative agent of Spotty Liver Disease to provide farmers with a tool to reduce its impact.
Want to see what an egg farm looks like? Take this interactive 360 degree tour to see how eggs are produced in Australia.
