Evaluation of alternative egg production systems in İzmir province and its surroundings in terms of manegement, poultry welfare and egg quality characteristics

In this study, the quality, performance and management characteristics obtained by observation and recording of the producers who engaged in convantional cage, organic and free range production systems are defined and compared. It is aimed to reveal the perspectives of producers on alternative production methods. In the survey conducted for consumers, it was aimed to reveal the egg consumption habits, purchasing criteria and the awareness of egg production systems of consumers. In addition, the external and internal quality characteristics of the eggs collected in spring, summer and autumn seasons from 3 different housing systems (cage, organic, free-range) are compared. The data of the study consisted of the survey data made with 14 egg producers engaged in poultry in Ġzmir and the data analysis of the eggs collected from these enterprises and the data analysis of the survey conducted with consumers (119 survey). As a result of the study data, it was found that there is a lack of experience in producers engaged in free-range. It was found that all housing system producers were satisfied with the systems they used. Animal health and welfare have been identified as common satisfaction in all systems. It was determined that organic farming producers were not satisfied with consumer demands and personnel health and welfare. It was determined that the producers think that organic egg prices will decrease and free- range egg prices will increase in the future. Producers also do not find the marketing channels of alternative production systems sufficient. It was revealed that consumers had difficulty in choosing alternative production methods and had difficulty in distinguishing the methods. The reason for this was determined by the lack of information about the production methods of the consumers. It was found that factors such as education level, income level and occupation were important for the consumers to choose the eggs produced under organic and free-range conditions. It was determined that consumers give importance to freshness, naturalness and food safety criteria when buying eggs. In the data obtained, the reasons of the clients to consume and not to consume the eggs produced under organic and free-range conditions were exposed. The reason for the free-range eggs to be consumed is to be natural, safe and good for the health of children, the reason of the clients for not consuming the free-range chicken eggs were their disbelief that free-range egg production is possible. The reason for the consumption of organic products is found to be nonuse of chemical inputs, healthiness, freshness on the other hand, the reason for not consuming organic foods are being expensive and disbelief that it is really organic. It was determined that consumers are willing to pay price difference for organic products. While 62% of the consumers were willing to pay up to 20% price difference for organic eggs, 4.2% were found to be willing to pay 1 times price. Statistically significant differences were found in the internal and external egg quality of the analyzed eggs according to the housing systems. In conventional cage systems, egg weight and albumin quality were higher and dirty egg rate was lower. It is determined that there is no significant difference between egg systems in terms of egg yellow color which is an important preference criterion for consumers. As a result, in order to eliminate the lack of experience of the producers, more field research and solution suggestions should be made according to the collected information. In order to increase the marketable egg rate and egg quality characteristics, it may be recommended that alternative egg producers pay attention to maintenance and management practices. Consumers lack of knowledge about egg production systems should be eliminated. Keywords: Egg, Alternative Housing Systems, Egg Consumer Survey, Egg Producer Survey, Egg Quality