8 February 2025 READER QUESTION TO HATCHERIES: Hi there. We are looking for moss eggers. Do you have a breeder that will ship them? - Cam EGG BLOOM Nestboxes can be set up so that eggs roll away into a compartment after being laid. The compartment serves to keep the eggs clean and away from potential pecking but accessible for gathering. These features also help to maintain the bloom on the egg. The bloom is laid down before the egg is laid, (but after it is coloured as all eggs start white and colour depending on breed). The bloom is a protective layer that seals the eggshell to prevent bacteria like salmonella from entering the egg. It consists of glycoproteins, lipids, polysaccharides and inorganic phosphorus. Some hens lay a heavier bloom, and some are a bit lighter, but generally between ten and thirty micrometers thick. Maintaining the bloom is important as it acts as a barrier to infection, for health of the chick. Washing will compromise the bloom. If an egg bloom gets wet or even rubbed away, the seal is broken. If eggs are for human consumption, they need to go into the refrigerator if the bloom is compromised. If your eggs are unwashed with bloom intact, they can sit on your counter at room temperature for up to a month! BLUEBERRY BLOOM The white waxy coating on blueberries is called the bloom. It’s a natural part of the fruit that protects the berries from insects, bacteria, and the sun. The bloom also helps keep blueberries fresh and plump. If you can see it, it means the berries have been picked in nice, dry conditions. Blueberries with this dusty white bloom will be firm and plump. They will also have a greater shelf life. The bloom is a natural part of the fruit and is safe to consume. Benefits of the bloom: • Helps protect the berries from insects and bacteria. • Helps seal in the fruit’s natural moisture. • Blueberries with the bloom are firm and plump and have a greater shelf life. • The bloom is a sign of freshness and quality, blue berries are ripe and ready to eat. • The bloom comes off easily while washing. It’s safe to eat. IN CASE YOU MISSED IT A TALE OF TWO BLOOMS... EGG SHORTAGES Like California and pollinator shortages, the U.S. is also experiencing an egg shortage and thus inflated prices for eggs across the country. The main culprit to the supply shortage is highly pathogenic avian influenza. The outbreak has impacted nearly 110 million birds, including laying hens, since early 2022. It is the worst outbreak of bird flu in U.S. history. HPAI has been detected in 48 states, with key egg-producing states like Utah with significant losses. Forbes.com says, “the egg shortage highlights vul�- nerabilities in industrial farming systems. As the USDA and other sources have reported, the heavy reliance on large-scale operations makes the food supply chain especially susceptible to disruptions like disease outbreaks.” IN PRAISE OF SUPPLY MANAGEMENT For all it’s economic dirty laundry, supply management may be Canadian consumers biggest friend when it comes to managing avian influenza in both poultry flocks and dairy cattle across the Nation. The information and location data kept by poultry and dairy supply management administering authorities acts as both mechanism for prevention for a high percentage of dairy and poultry as well as disease mitigation and recovery. Although we have also been afflicted with HPAI in poultry in Canada, authorities have access to clear, highly organized and current information about the location and size of each commercial poultry flock coast to coast. Our flock and herd sizes also tend to be smaller, which in this case, less intense is a pro! proAction, Fingers-crossed, knock on wood et al., at present our dairy herds in Canada have not been impacted by avian influenza. This is in sharp contrast to the U.S. with herd movement, free-market and a federal system that is struggling to organize itself and resources, on a stateby-state basis, to manage this devastating disease. As you can imagine, ditching supply management and opening the borders at this time could be a very risky move for food security, food safety, disease mitigation and inflation for Canadians when it comes to eggs and dairy. If you can help Cam out let us know at Editor@SmallFarmCanada.ca - Juilie RED BRICK ROOST CLICK FOR A COOL TOOL TO HELP KEEP THE BLOOM ON YOUR FRESHLY LAID EGGS.
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