Ken Anderson
Extension Specialist and Pullet/Layer Management
237 Scott Hall
Tel: (919) 515-5527
Email: ken_anderson@ncsu.edu
Educational Background
B.S. (1980) Southern Illinois University, Carbondale, Illinois
M.S. (1987) Kansas State University, Manhattan, Kansas
Ph.D. (1990) Kansas State University, Manhattan, Kansas
Extension Interests
Pullet and laying hen performance, egg quality, molting and economic return are continuous concerns facing the egg industry of the entire country. I work to influence producer attitudes toward innovative processes or procedures in pullet and hen performance, egg quality, molting, and beak trimming to enhance their ability to compete. I work with egg processors to evaluate their facilities to improve the quality of the eggs they provide to consumers. In many cases improvement requires a change in thinking and philosophy of the processor to integrate knowledge for improving the quality of various processes. This information should be contained in HACCP programs established by the processor himself.
Shell egg cooling and processing has become a topic of importance to egg processors across the country and continues to be today due to the food safety threat of improperly handled eggs. During the last five years techniques to facilitate the cooling of shell eggs and maximize the efficiencies of processors current egg cooling facilities have been developed with the cooperation and input from all processors in the state. These techniques have been demonstrated in the field using surveys, trials, demonstrations, educational meetings, newsletters, and popular press articles.
I am also the Director of the National Egg Quality School which has evolved into a nonprofit organization with the mission to educate the egg industry personnel to the concepts and principles used to achieve higher egg quality for the consumer.
Research Interests
North Carolina Layer Performance and Management Test
This extension program has been on going since 1958 in cooperation with the NC Department of Agriculture and the Primary Breeders of Commercial Egg Strains, and in August 2000 the 34th flock was hatched and placed. The initial purpose of the test was to provide strain evaluations in a common environment to the producers in North Carolina. However, in recent years, the test and the support it provides has given the industry an avenue with which to examine common problems they may experience with the environment and management of the different strains of leghorns available. This test is the only one of it’s type remaining in North and South America and is one of five remaining in the world. The NCLP&MT reports are sent to all the producers in North Carolina and an additional 315 reports are sent to producers and industry representatives throughout the US and 16 different countries. The primary breeders and egg companies are utilizing the test in increasing intensity to compare and evaluate the strains and the different environments, which are imposed upon them.Biological Basis for Chemoprevention of Ovarian Cancer
Ovarian cancer is a deadly disease that kills more women than all other gynecological cancers combined. Each year in the United states, 27,000 to 28,000 women are diagnosed with the disease, and 16,000 to 17,000 women will die from it. Despite progress made in treating cancers, most women who contract ovarian cancer will die from it. The disease is not easily detected and is often discovered in an advanced stage. Researchers at North Carolina State University and Duke University have been shown the chicken to be a viable model due to their high rate of naturally occurring ovarian cancer. The epithelial, or surface, cells of chicken ovaries are similar to the epithelial cells of human ovaries and appear to respond to the hormone progestin the same as those of humans. This research has provided and validated a model with which to develop and evaluate therapies for preventing a deadly human cancer thereby saving lives. This project has allowed for greater insight into the reproductive mechanisms in gallus domesticus and the maintenance nutritional requirements of a non-ovulating hen.Animal Welfare as Impacted by Molting Techniques
The commercial egg industry is being bombarded by animal welfare guidelines, which are being promoted without the use of scientifically supported information. This research has been on going research examining alternative molting programs, supplemental nutrition during the molt, and feeding regimens pre-molt, during the stress and post-molt. This type of research is very long term due to the productive cycle of laying hens used by the commercial egg industry requires 2 years to complete. This work will provide the egg industry with scientific research concerning molting practices and the impact of these practices on the welfare of the laying hen. This information may be used by the industry to educate the businesses concerning this practice and help them differentiate between the theology/philosophy perspective on molting and the reality.Egg Processing and Cooling Program
The North Carolina Egg Industry and consumers need to be assured that egg safety and quality are the highest priority. Egg safety and quality are dependent on the processing conditions and storage temperature upon which consumer perceptions are based and can help dictate consumption. This program to enhance egg cooling has evaluated egg wash temperatures, and rapid cooling of shell eggs using cryogenics always keeping in mind the microbial contamination potential in shell eggs. This work has been done at the Piedmont Research Station, Pilot Processing Center which led to the development of a process patent for the rapid cooling of shell eggs using cryogenic gases, and in field trials in two different commercial processing plants with prototype cryogenic coolers. The processors have provided us with the shell eggs to use during our studies due to the differences in contamination levels in the industry. We developed a viable in-line egg cooler with some of our cooperators to evaluate the processing and storage modifications to facilitate economically viable egg cooling techniques and reduced microbial contamination rates. This has been accomplished with the field testing of the commercial cryogenic egg cooler at a North Carolina Egg Processor. Currently, the egg processing is being evaluated in accordance with USDA regulations in order to refine the overall process being developed.
Presentations
Impact of Processing on Shell Egg Temperatures
Impact of Production Environment on Shell Egg Temperatures
Impact of Transport on Shell Egg Temperatures
Interpretation of Animal Welfare Issues
New Alternative Molting Programs for the Layer Industry
Publications
Davis, G. S. and K.E. Anderson, 2001.The effects of feeding the direct-fed microbial, PrimaLac®, on growth parameters and egg production in Single Comb White Leghorn hens. Poultry Sci. 80:(In Press).
Jones, D.R., K.E. Anderson, and G.S. Davis, 2001.The effects of genetic selection on production parameters of Single Comb White Leghorn hens. Poultry Sci. 80:1139-1143.
Anderson, K.E., 2001. Report on Pullet Rearing Period: 34th North Carolina Layer Performance and Management Test. Vol. 34, No. 2, February 2001.
Anderson, K.E., 2001. The Importance of Proper Egg Handling. International Poultry Production 9 (5): 7-13.
Anderson, K.E., 2000. Hatch and Serology Report of the Thirty Fourth North Carolina Layer Performance and Management Test: Summary. Vol. 34, No. 1, November 2000.
Anderson, K.E., 2000. Final Report of the Thirty Third North Carolina Layer performance and Management Test: Production Report. Vol. 33, No. 4. October 2000.
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