Bacterial contamination of eggshells in deep litter floor systemsand conventional cages in Jordan

Abstract: This study was carried out in Jordan with the purpose to investigate the bacterial microflora of egg shells from cage systems and from deep litter floor systems. Another aim wasto get a general impression of the hygiene, at farm level, of egg production in Jordan andthe factors affecting it.Eggs from two cage systems and three floor systems were analyzed, regarding bacterialcontamination of the egg shells. Egg samples were taken from the storage room, the eggcradle in the cage system and from the nest and floor in the floor system. To get a generalimpression of the hygiene at the farms, swab tests and air tests were performed. Swab testswere performed with a sterile cotton swab at the same units as the eggs were sampled andair tests were performed by opening petri dishes where the hens were staying. One hundredeggs from the storage room at three of the farms were also candled to examine the frequencyof cracked eggs. Because the eggs were already collected from the nest/cradle, thisimplied that eggs with visible cracks were not included in the cracked eggs frequency.The egg samples were rinsed in a homogenizer bag containing sterile buffered peptonewater. From this solution microbial testing was performed, including spreading on agarplates in order to receive quantitative results concerning the presence of Salmonella, coliforms/E. coli and Campylobacter. The data were analyzed statistically.To get an overview of the factors affecting bacterial contamination at the differentfarms, questions including housing system and use of antibiotics were asked. The use ofantibiotics was not regulated and antibiotics was given in water or feed at most of thefarms.The cage system was significantly cleaner than the floor system regarding bacterial totalcount, Salmonella and E. coli on egg shells. The result regarding cracks is not reliable dueto the removal if visible cracks. Regarding the hygienic aspect of egg production in Jordanmuch can be improved. Antibiotics and disinfectants were used without prescriptions andSalmonella and Campylobacter were found at all farms, either at the egg shell or at the eggcradle/nest. The temerarious use of antibiotics can also result in development of resistantbacteria which is a risk for the public health.