Physical comparison of external and internal egg quality of three breeds of hens

Abstract

This article shows an evaluation of the physical quality of eggs from three breeds of hens (Campera, Semirrustic and White Leghorn), through external and internal quality indicators. Twenty eggs of each breed were collected at 33 weeks of age, raised in Jiguaní, Granma province, Cuba. The external indicators were: egg weight, relative weight, polar and transverse diameter and shape index; weight, thickness and percentage of shell. The internal indicators were: weight, diameter, height, pH, index and percent egg white and yolk, Haugh Units. Data were compared with simple analysis of variance using the STATISTIC® package. Except for egg white index, egg white and yolk pH, the other indicators showed significant differences (P>0.05). The highest egg weight was found in Leghorn hens (57.74 g), compared to Camperas (54.18 g) and Semirrusticas (49.80 g). The highest relative weight was obtained in Leghorns (3.43%) and the lowest in Camperas (2.40%). Shell thickness did not differ between Camperas and Semirrústicas (0.33 and 0.36 mm), Leghorn (0.40 mm). The highest egg white weight (35.72 g), egg white percentage (61.80%) and lowest yolk percentage (26.06%) were obtained in Leghorn birds despite having the highest egg weight. The egg quality indicators in the poultry studied showed typical characteristics of each breed, with the best parameters belonging to the Leghorn hens and the lowest to the Semirrustic hens.