SUMMARY Eggs and droppings of laying hens were examined for the presence of listeria organisms. The recovery rates of L. monocytogenes and other listeria species of the egg shell rinses amounted to 8.3% and 3.3% respectively. Detection of Listeria failed in egg contents. The isolation rates of L. monocytogenes and other listeria species of egg shell rinses & egg contents were 3.3% (L. monocytogenes) and 1.6% (other listeria species). The overall recovery rate of listeria from the droppings amounted to 25% (13.3% for L. monocytogenes. and 11.7% for other listeria species). The public health importance of listeria in eggs and droppings of layers was discussed.