Egg Innovations and Strategies for Improvements examines the production of eggs from their development to human consumption. Chapters also address consumer acceptance, quality control, regulatory aspects, cost and risk analyses, and research trends. Eggs are a rich source of macro- and micronutrients which are consumed not only by themselves, but also within the matrix of food products, such as pastas, cakes, and pastries. A wholesome, versatile food with a balanced array of essential nutrients, eggs are a stable of the human diet. Emerging strategies entail improvements to the composition of eggs via fortification or biological enrichment of hen's feed with polyunsaturated fatty acids, antioxidants, vitamins, or minerals. Conversely, eggs can be a source of food-borne disease or pollutants that can have effects on not only human health, but also egg production and commercial viability. Written by an international team of experts, the book presents a unique overview of the biology and science of egg production, nutrient profiling, disease, and modes for increasing their production and quality. Designed for poultry and food scientists, technologists, microbiologists, and workers in public health and the food and egg industries, the book is valuable as an industrial reference and as a resource in academic libraries. - Focuses on the production and food science aspects of eggs - Includes a broad range of microbial contaminants, their risks, and prevention, as well as non-microbial contaminant risks - Presents analytical techniques for practical application

More than ever, Americans care about the quality and safety of the food they eat. They're bringing back an American tradition: raising their own backyard chickens for eggs and companionship. And they care about the quality of life of their chickens. Fresh Eggs Daily is an authoritative, accessible guide to coops, nesting boxes, runs, breeding, feed, and natural health care with time-tested remedies. The author promotes the benefits of keeping chickens happy and well-occupied, and in optimal health, free of chemicals and antibiotics. She emphasizes the therapeutic value of herbs and natural supplements to maintaining a healthy environment for your chickens. Includes many "recipes" and 8 easy DIY projects for the coop and run. Full color photos throughout. The USDA's new study of urban chicken raising sees a 400% increase in backyard chickens over the next 5 years, driven by younger adults.

How a Midwestern family with no agriculture experience went from a few backyard chickens to a full-fledged farm—and discovered why local chicks are better. When Lucie Amundsen had a rare night out with her husband, she never imagined what he’d tell her over dinner—that his dream was to quit his office job (with benefits!) and start a commercial-scale pasture-raised egg farm. His entire agricultural experience consisted of raising five backyard hens, none of whom had yet laid a single egg. To create this pastured poultry ranch, the couple scrambles to acquire nearly two thousand chickens—all named Lola. These hens, purchased commercially, arrive bereft of basic chicken-y instincts, such as the evening urge to roost. The newbie farmers also deal with their own shortcomings, making for a failed inspection and intense struggles to keep livestock alive (much less laying) during a brutal winter. But with a heavy dose of humor, they learn to negotiate the highly stressed no-man’s-land known as Middle Agriculture. Amundsen sees firsthand how these midsized farms, situated between small-scale operations and mammoth factory farms, are vital to rebuilding America’s local food system. With an unexpected passion for this dubious enterprise, Amundsen shares a messy, wry, and entirely educational story of the unforeseen payoffs (and frequent pitfalls) of one couple’s ag adventure—and many, many hours spent wrangling chickens.

Pp. 2.