Abstract

A study was conducted to investigate the effect of soiling length on the microbiological load of backyard poultry table eggs. A deep litter system of egg production was simulated with damp poultry droppings sprinkled on the floor consisting of seven treatment groups (0, 6, 12, 18, 24, 30 and 36 hours) of soiling length. Freshly laid eggs from an automated battery cage system were used. Each treatment group was allocated21 eggs. After retrieving the eggs from the floor, they were kept for seven days at room temperature before microbiological analysis. Ten eggs from each treatment group were randomly selected for microbiological evaluation of the eggshell surface and internal contents. Data was analysed using the SPSS statistical package. Results of microbiological plate counts indicated that soiling length significantly (P

Key words: soiling length, microbiological load, backyard, egg