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
Australian egg layer disease benchmarking survey
The project aimed to provide a summary of the current disease burden in the Australian layer industry.
Spotty Liver Disease Epidemiology
This project identified key risk factors for Spotty Liver Disease outbreak.
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).
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Opportunities to increase engagement of Australian egg producers with biosecurity practices
This project identified factors that influence adoption of biosecurity practices by Australian egg producers, and provides direction on initiatives that may help improve adoption across all sectors within the industry.
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.
Determining the cause and methods of control for ‘Spotty Liver Disease’
This project aimed to identify the causative agent of Spotty Liver Disease, in order to improve productivity of commercial layers placed in alternative systems without the need for antibiotics.
Field application of a Rispens-specific qPCR test
Vaccination success and effective methods for detecting MDV breaks in vaccinated flocks
Evaluation of energy usage and ventilation performance of tunnel ventilated layer sheds
Due to increasing pressures on operating margins within the Australian egg industry, this study investigated the energy usage and ventilation systems in cage egg sheds.Optimising electricity usage is an important factor in improving the bottom line of egg production systems.
Salmonella control in layer chickens
Confidence in the ability to reduce any presence of Salmonella on shell eggs by the use of vaccine technology determined.
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.