Effects of litter exposure and flock age of broiler breeders on hatchability and the microbial composition of eggshells, egg membranes, and egg contents.

Summary: When chickens lay eggs on the floor instead of in their clean nests, the eggs touch dirty bedding (called litter). This study looked at what happens to eggs when they sit on the litter for 3, 6, or 16 hours, and if the age of the mother hen makes a difference. The researchers found that bacteria on the eggshell grew quickly. If the eggs were left on the dirty floor for 16 hours, a lot fewer chicks hatched because the baby birds inside died. The dirt and the hen's age changed the types of bacteria, but mostly just on the outside of the shell. The main takeaway? Farmers need to collect floor eggs quickly to keep the chicks healthy!