Food safety, livestock health, and productivity of a layer farm following implementation of a certified HACCP system in Japan

Abstract

This study examined the safety and productivity of a layer farm over a 3-year period following the implementation of a farm Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points (HACCP) system in 2019. The critical control point was “automatic egg collection” and no deviations from critical limits were observed, indicating the eggs were safe. In addition, the egg production rate increased and the feed conversion rate decreased. In contrast, the viability after the introduction of a farm HACCP system, in which the replenishment of new hens was discontinued after forced molting, showed an increasing trend. These results suggest that the HACCP system had a positive effect on the productivity of egg-laying hens.