Leading Research

RD&E Project List 19/20

Traceability Technology Desktop Review

To review current egg traceability systems and available technologies to support enhanced traceability in the Australian egg industry

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.

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.

Separate feeding of calcium for poultry

This series of studies investigated the presence and extent of an ‘appetite’ for an extra-dietary source of Ca in laying hens and established the optimum Ca and P concentrations and ratios of dietary Ca for optimum egg production and nutrient digestibility.

Reducing ammonia losses during composting of chicken manure without altering economic outcomes

This research trialled mixing poultry manure with organic materials such as sawdust and wood chips, in an effort to produce a nitrogen rich compost product.

Addition of sawdust or wood chips to manure was shown to maximise nitrogen retention but at an increased compost production cost.

Effects of phasing out caged farming in Europe

This project investigated egg production in Germany, the Netherlands and the UK, where conventional cage systems for laying hens are no longer permitted. The report gives an overview of some of the systems and equipment in use; their set-up and cost, and flock management practices in place.

Egg Farming Systems Welfare Science Review

A review of the research to date on physiological and behavioural welfare indicators of hens in caged, barn and alternate systems; such as free range. The report provides a summary of the advantages, disadvantages and issues of different egg production systems.

Animal Welfare and Values

Australian Eggs engaged a panel of researchers, including animal welfare scientists, veterinary and social science experts to identify and describe values based elements that arise in the context of the available frameworks for animal welfare on egg farms.

Antimicrobial resistance surveillance in Salmonella isolates from environments on Australian commercial egg farms

This project was conducted to identify the most appropriate mechanisms for obtaining and performing antimicrobial susceptibility testing on Salmonella isolates obtained from Australian layer shed environments.

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.

Best Practice Lighting Management for Australian Layers

A review of lighting systems in hen housing facilities, to understand factors that can help boost flock productivity through optimising bird growth, onset of lay, desired behaviours and number of eggs laid.

A Review of Animal Welfare Policy and Assessment Frameworks

Better informed industry on current developments in animal welfare theory and policy.

Egg Industry Environmental Guidelines

This project aimed to deliver improved environmental sustainability and planning outcomes for the egg industry by updating the existing guidelines to reflect changes in the industry since its first publication in 2008.

Odour Review of Layer Farms and Development of S-Factor Formula

This project was conducted to develop an S-factor formula to be integrated into the revision of the Environmental Guidelines for the Egg Industry. A robust and science-based separation distance (S-factor) formula will provide improved planning and development outcomes for the egg industry and will provide greater certainty that community amenity impacts can be managed for new and expanding layer farms.