Bacteria Counts and Fungal Loads on Eggshells Collected from Isa-Brown Hens Raised under Different Systems

Aims: To assess bacteria and fungi loads on eggs collected from laying birds under three different rearing systems.

Study Design: Completely Randomized Design with a 3×3 factorial arrangement.

Place and Duration of Study: Field trial was done at Oluade Farms, Ilara-Mokin, while Laboratory assessment of eggs was done at Microbiology Laboratory of the Department of Animal Production and Health, Federal University of Technology, Akure. The whole study lasted for 90 days.

Methodology: Collection of eggs for assessments was done at the end of each phase and was collected three times a day for the different housing systems. The eggs collected were labelled and sealed up in transparent white polythene nylon before assessments. All data collected were subjected to analysis of variance.

Results: Highest bacteria count (43.56± 7.48×10-3cfu/ml) was observed in egg collected from deep litter system, while the lowest bacteria count (13.11±7.4×10-3cfu/ml) was observed in egg collected from the outdoor system. Highest bacteria count (75.00±12.95×10-3cfu/ml) was recorded in egg collected from deep litter system in the morning while lowest bacteria count (2.67±12.95×10-3cfu/ml) was recorded in egg collected from battery cage system in the evening. Highest fungi count (10.89±4.77×10-3cfu/ml) was observed in egg collected from battery cage system, while lowest fungi count (2.56±4.77×10-3cfu/ml) was observed in egg collected from deep litter system. Escherichia coli was isolated in all eggs collected from the rearing systems and collection periods except battery cage system in the morning and outdoor system in the morning. Staphilococcus aureus was isolated in eggs collected from all the housing systems and collection periods except in outdoor system in the afternoon. Aspergillus niger was isolated across all the housing systems and collection periods.

Conclusion: From the results, it shows that the different eggshells from the three rearing systems were contaminated with bacteria and fungi loads at varying levels.