Egg Hygiene Flashcards
What is the structure of egg producing flocks?
Pyramidal
In which flocks is disease particularly diasasterous in terms of egg production?
Grandparent and great grandparent flocks.
What are the 7 stages on the egg production pyramid from top to bottom?
- Elite/ Great grandparents breeding birds
- Grandparent breeding birds
- Parent breeding birds
- Hatchery
- Rearing house
- Laying hens
- Egg production
At what age are birds reared to in the rearing house and where do they do after this?
18 weeks and moved to the laying house.
What was the increase in egg consumption between 2010 and 2015?
20% increase
Why are eggs desirable?
They are a cheap source of animal protein.
How self-sufficient is the UK egg production?
84%
What % of these eggs are produced in laying cages?
54%
What are the three pieces of legislation that regulates EU MS egg production?
- Commissions Regulation (EC) 1234/2007- covers control of eggs from Salmonella infected flocks of hens.
- Commission Regulation (EC) 617/ 2998 - rules for implementing EC 1234/2007 regarding marketing standards for eggs for hatching and farmyard poultry chicks.
- Commission regulation (EC) 589/2008 - rules for implementing 1234/2007 as regards marketing standards for eggs.
Through what regulation was this legislation implemented in England?
Eggs and chicks (England) regulations 2009.
Do these controls apply to hobby hen keepers?
No - not for private domestic consumption.
Who do these regulations specifically target?
egg producers with 350 laying hens or more
Through which 3 departments is the legislation in the UK enforced?
- Egg Marketing Inspectors (England and Wales)
- Eggs and Poultry unit in Scotland
- Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (DARD) - quality assurance branch in Northern Ireland.
How many classes does EU legislation consider for eggs?
2 classes - A and B
What are class A eggs?
Eggs that have quality characteristics making them suitable for direct human consumption.
Where can class A eggs be sold?
In supermarkets and other retail outlets.
Name 7 characteristics of class A eggs?
- Shell and cuticle - normal shape, clean and undamaged
- Air space - height not exceeding 6mm, stationary; however for eggs to be marketed as ‘extra’, it may not exceed 4mm.
- Yolk: visible on candling as a shadow only, without clearly discernable outline, slightly mobile upon turning the egg, and returning to a central position.
- White - clear, translucent
- Germ: imperceptable development
- Foreign matter: not allowe
- Foreign smell: not allowed
Name 4 things that MUST NOT happen to class A eggs after grading?
- Washing
- Cleaning
- Treated for preservation
- Chilled in premises where the temperature is artificially less than 5 degrees C.
What is a big difference between USA protocols and EU legislation regarding eggs?
Not chilling eggs in premises which are artificially kept below 5 Degrees C.
What are the grades for weight in class A eggs?
XL - Very large > 73g
L- Large >63g but <73g
M - Medium >53g and <63g
S - Small <53g
Can eggs of different sizes be packed together?
Yes