Effect of Time Intervals of Egg Formation on Some Quality Characteristics of Oravka Chicken Eggs

Abstract

In this study, we studied the influence of time intervals of egg formation on some egg quality parameters in descending part of laying curve in pure Oravka chicken breed. We studied the daily dynamics of egg production from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. for 30 days on 66 hens. Experiment was realised in deep litter system in pens with automatic egg nest. Feeding of hens was providing by feed mixture for laying hens (crude protein 158.06 g/kg, metabolic energy 11.32 MJ/kg). Feeding and watering were ad libitum. Birds were exposed to natural light as a practiced in rural areas of South-West Slovakia. The results showed that prolonging the time intervals of egg formation increased of egg weight, eggshell weight and eggshell proportion. At the same time, albumen weight and albumen proportion decreased during period.

Keywords

• egg formation
• egg quality
• hen
• oravka
• time interval