R&D Projects 2018/19 HEALTH & DISEASE - Australian Eggs
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R&D Projects
2018/19
H E A LTH & FEEDING & BIOSECURITY RANGING W E LFA R E
DISEASE N UTR ITI O N
www.australianeggs.org.auPROJECT CASE STUDY
Pure Foods, Tasmania
Project Background
Hens don’t utilise the entirety of range areas, especially in sunny
conditions. Higher density pockets of birds on the range leads to
reduced ground cover in higher trafficked range areas and less
evenly distributed nutrients on the ranges.
Australian Eggs is a
Modern laying hen behaviour still mimics that of the jungle fowl,
not-for‑profit company seeking shelter from sun and predators, even where these are
providing research, not significant risks.
development and Project Aim
marketing of eggs for To provide an environment that encourages ranging behaviour.
the benefit of all farmers
In the financial year of 17/18, we conducted an initial study
regardless of their size, into what the best shapes and materials for shade construction
location or farming system. encouraged pastured ranging. Pure Foods in Tasmania is one
of many that incorporated the most favoured structures onto
We grow and adapt our R&D activities to pastured ranges.
the industry requirements, and adopt a
balanced portfolio of projects each year. Results
Birds are ranging significantly more and utilising a greater
Our marketing channels include:
proportion of the range.
Due to industry request for natural shading options,
Australian Eggs has now adopted another project to build on
TV, MAGAZINE, RADIO AND ONLINE this on this work. Researchers are looking at vegetation and
Advertising and engagement
plant choices for ranges based on rainfall, soil and climatic
factors, and resilience to chicken foraging.
See project Resilient plants for free range inside.
SOCIAL MEDIA
Advertising
ALL ABOUT EGGS
Science-based education for primary
and secondary school students
LIAISING WITH HEALTH CARE
PROFESSIONALS on the health
benefits of eating eggs Australian Eggs has also commissioned a study into manure
and nutrient deposition on farms. See Nutrient mass balance
on farm inside.
For more information go to www.australianeggs.org.auFEEDING &
H E ALTH & D I S E A S E N UTR ITI O N
Spotty liver: Salmonella intervention Practical strategies for
autogenous vaccine strategies hen feed efficiency
One of two competitive projects Understanding the epidemiology Exploring whether high and low
looking to develop an autogenous (study of disease populations) feed efficient birds in a flock differ
vaccine to help reduce the impact of for Salmonella on farm. Tracking in nutritional requirements and egg
spotty liver disease on production. Salmonella contamination in all quality and if this can be mediated
production systems from day at a flock level. For maximum
PLANNED COMPLETION – JANUARY 2020 old to end of lay (80 weeks). control, this is initially being
Also assessing the efficacy conducted in three stages using
Spotty Liver: autogenous of the Salmonella vaccine caged birds fed commercial rations.
bacterin vaccine and egg washing in reducing
Salmonella prevalence. PLANNED COMPLETION – MARCH 2019
One of two competitive
projects looking to develop an PLANNED COMPLETION – MAY 2019
autogenous bacterin vaccine Nutritional management
for spotty liver. This project also of free range laying hens
has a large focus on generating Study of gut microbiota of Identifying the sub groups of hens
a better understanding of the laying hens from different in a free range system, tracking
epidemiology of the disease. production systems and analysing their movements
PLANNED COMPLETION – MAY 2020 Studying the development of inside the shed and on the range.
gut microbiota in pullets from It will also examine whether
rearing until 80 weeks of age in feeding strategies can be tailored
Probiotics for the control to suit specific groups to improve
both cage and rearing systems,
of Salmonella production, health and welfare.
to establish baseline data on laying
Determining probiotic efficacy hen gut microbiota that will allow
in protecting against, or future optimisation of diets. PLANNED COMPLETION – MARCH 2019
reducing Salmonella shedding
by birds. To assist egg farmers PLANNED COMPLETION – MAY 2020
Nutrient mass balance
in developing cost effective
on farm
Salmonella control programs.
Causes of fowl cholera Completing a comprehensive study
PLANNED COMPLETION – MAY 2020 Developing a process to to identify all nutritional inputs and
understand the genetic diversity outputs across the life of a flock. It is
Salmonella vaccination in disease outbreaks, reduced examining how nutrients distribute
and feed additive control vaccine protection, changes in around the farm, and in particular
program virulence and host reservoirs will quantify manure deposited.
on the farm. The output of this Producers will subsequently
Determining the most effective project will be a pay per use have better tools for conducting
and economical ways to diagnostic test for producers. environmental assessments and
manage Salmonella on farm, development applications.
including evaluating vaccines PLANNED COMPLETION – JULY 2019
and methods of administration, PLANNED COMPLETION – AUGUST 2019
probiotics and organic acids.
PLANNED COMPLETION – MAY 2019
For more information go to www.australianeggs.org.auB I OS E CU R IT Y RANGING
Drivers of biosecurity Antimicrobial stewardship Resilient plants for
engagement Working to implement and roll out free range
Understanding the current status the Egg Industry Antimicrobial Trialling and identifying plant
of biosecurity knowledge in the Stewardship (AMS) plan for species that can be used on
egg industry – including current responsible use of antimicrobials. outer range areas to maintain
legislation and biosecurity With a focus on industry vets ground cover and encourage
information available to egg and offering support to farms chickens to range throughout all
farmers to direct our biosecurity to develop their own AMS Australian climates. Developing
extension activities. plans and procedures. a guideline that contains plant
choices for ranges based on
PLANNED COMPLETION – JULY 2019 PLANNED COMPLETION – MID 2019 rainfall, soil and climatic factors
and resilience to chicken foraging.
Mass disposal Competitive exclusion PLANNED COMPLETION – MAY 2020
preparedness by good bacteria
Developing a robust, documented Identifying bacteria that can
outcompete Salmonella in
Impacts of UV on
plan and sites for mass disposal
of biomass that may occur the environment to reduce ranging behaviour
during the disposal phase of an contamination on grading floors. Looking at UV light and light
emergency disease outbreak. The project will identify suitable intensity and its effects on ranging
Initial stages will be undertaken candidate bacteria as well as a behaviour of free range hens.
in South Australia in partnership delivery system to administer This will determine whether hens
with Agrifutures Australia. a commercialised product. prefer or avoid high levels of UV
or light intensity, whether ranging
PLANNED COMPLETION – JULY 2019 PLANNED COMPLETION – MARCH 2019 behaviour is affected and will
better inform shade requirements.
Review of rodent control PLANNED COMPLETION – SEPTEMBER 2021
for the poultry industry
Surveying the current use of
rodenticides in Australian poultry
production and identifying
available and emerging rodent
control products which could be
adopted by the poultry industries.
PLANNED COMPLETION – JUNE 2019
For more information go to www.australianeggs.org.auCauses of smothering
on farm
Conducting a comprehensive
study of 80 flocks in Vic and
Qld to identify factors that are
associated with smothering events
and interventions that can be used
WE LFA RE to prevent or minimise these.
PLANNED COMPLETION – MAY 2020
New technologies for Hen welfare issues
managing stress Compiling a comprehensive Animal welfare and values
Using the emerging field of micro literature review on all aspects of
RNA to identify potential biomarkers hen welfare. It will be a detailed Bringing together a panel of
of affective states in hens. It will exploration of the current experts in animal welfare,
identify positive and negative respected science, with a focus veterinary and social sciences to
markers that can be tested in on Australia conditions to help identify and clarify how science is
pooled egg samples – providing direct future research investment interpreted by the public, and how
a simple way for farmers and in this area and provide an this can affect the applications
scientists to test hen welfare. esteemed source of information. of research outcomes.
PLANNED COMPLETION – APRIL 2020 PLANNED COMPLETION – MAY 2019 PLANNED COMPLETION – JANUARY 2019
OTHER
Integrated schools Dissemination
This is a refresh of the All about Eggs A multitude of activities designed
primary school program and the to facilitate the adoption of
development of a complementary research outcomes on farms.
high school program. Developing It includes the development
a community of engaged school of app content, manuals and
students across Australia that factsheets and the presentation of
understand and appreciate the workshops throughout Australia.
value of eggs and egg farming
to help build future sustainability. ESA
The voluntary industry quality
Industry capacity building
assurance program that seeks
Activities aimed to foster future to foster a common high
industry leaders at all levels across standard of practice across
Australian egg businesses. It includes farms and grading floors to
leadership opportunities through meet regulatory and retailer
the Australian Rural Leadership requirements for the sale of eggs.
Foundation, the Australian Eggs
International Leadership Scholarship Human health –
and training programs for all choline research
levels of farm staff including:
A research project looking into
– EggStart the value of eggs as a source of
– Cert III in Poultry Production choline, which is important during
– Diploma in Agriculture (Poultry). pregnancy for brain development.
To be used to continue to promote
For more information contact the value of eggs in a healthy
research@australianeggs.org.au diet to health care professionals.
For more information go to www.australianeggs.org.auFor more information go to www.australianeggs.org.au
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