Cage-free system manufacturers are mindful of food safety

Egg Industry Insight surveyed five equipment manufacturers to find out how their updated products help to ensure that eggs are safe to eat.

Meredith Johnson Headshot
White eggs on a concrete table. One egg is cracked and you can see the yellow yolk
White eggs on a concrete table. One egg is cracked and you can see the yellow yolk
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Aviary systems have been updated to consider the greater risk of food safety issues that can be associated with this type of egg production. Egg Industry Insight surveyed five equipment manufacturers to find out how their updated products help to ensure eggs are safe to eat.

This latest survey follows on from a series of three surveys completed in 2016 that looked at three types of cage-free housing systems – floor, aviary and convertible/combi systems. Since then, the industry has shifted towards aviary and away from convertible/combi systems. 

Big Dutchman’s improvements have focused on ensuring separation of clean and dirty eggs

According to Bernd Heidkamp, Big Dutchman, System Manager Alternative Layer Management, making sure there is no contact between clean eggs laid in nests and damaged or dirty eggs laid in other areas is key.

Making sure there is no contact between clean eggs laid in nests and damaged or dirty eggs laid in other areas is key, according to Bernd Heidkamp, Big Dutchman, System Manager Alternative Layer Management.

“Eggs are the actual product in layer management. They reach food retailing in an unprocessed way and, in many parts of the world, even uncleaned,” he explained. “Thus, egg producers can carry out presorting already in the house and deliver only perfect eggs to the retail business. This means that 100 % fresh eggs reach the customers.”

Cage FreeCourtesy of Big Dutchman

 

Salmet’s improvements are focused on how the equipment is manufactured

According to Mari van Gruijthuijsen, Salmet, Director Sales and Marketing, while food safety is related to management, it’s also the manufacturer’s job to create systems that have the lowest risk of floor eggs. 

“The biggest challenge is to avoid contaminated floor/mislaid eggs. In my opinion this is related to getting the eggs where they belong: inside the automatic nest system,” he stated. Additionally, he noted that, besides system design, management, ventilation, bird condition and proper rearing practices play important roles in food safety and prevention of floor eggs.

Salmet1Courtesy of Salmet

 

Texha’s improvements have focused on optimizing egg collection and hen’s laying time

Texha’s egg collection systems feature either a lift-based system or elevator-based system to ensure eggs are collected without damage. “Our systems can be programmed to any schedule and speed of operation. The eggs come in contact only with the egg collection system elements, thus remaining clean and intact,” said Inna Volkova, Texha, Head of Marketing.

Texha’s shaded nests are equipped with pushers that open and close the nests according to specific time settings.

Texha1Courtesy of Texha

 

“The hens lay eggs according to the schedule and then leave the closing nest. The inclined nest bottom with the artificial grass ensures that the eggs roll to the egg collection belt and are protected from pecking or contamination by hens,” Volkova explained. “Additionally, absence of bedding and efficient operation of the litter removal system ensures a high level of hygiene.”

Jansen Poultry’s improvements are focused on the feeding systems

A good feeding system will ensure even feed distribution, that all birds have access to feed, and be empty at the end of the day, according to Ariën Verbeek, Jansen Poultry, Poultry Specialist.

“Starting every day with a clean, empty feed trough is important. In addition, it is important that the parts that come into contact with the feed are not contaminated with lubricants or other substances,” stated Verbeek. “Last but not least, the feed systems should be closed as much as possible to prevent vermin and pollution.”

Jansen1Courtesy of Jansen Poultry

 

Hellman’s improvements concentrate on adjusting the system’s structure to keep the birds clean and away from manure 

In the opinion of Christian Evers’, Hellman Poultry, Aviary Specialist, conventional systems, or battery cages, make food safety and good air quality easier to achieve because you are able to keep the birds separate from manure while using manure belts.

“Our aviaries are designed to minimize contact between birds and manure by positioning the perches, feeders and drinkers over the manure belts so that the birds are encouraged to defecate there. Also, perches close to the walkways are shaped so that birds want to sit facing the walkways instead of the other way around, meaning manure will drop onto the manure belts instead of in the walkways,” he explained.

“Extensive testing is done to improve the bird’s nest acceptance and reduce floor eggs.”

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