Effect of Laying Time and Age-Related Change on Egg Characteristics in Brown Layer Pure Lines

Abstract

In this study, the Brown Layer Pure Line that housing as individual cage system at the Poultry Research Institute in Ankara was used. Eggs obtained from 24, 28, 32, 36 and 40 weeks old eggs were collected 3 times a day in the morning (10:00), noon (12:00) and evening (15:00). On a total of 427 eggs; Shape Index (SI), Egg weight (YA, g), Albumen height (AY, mm), Roche scale (RS), Haugh unit (HB), Egg Quality Classes (YKS), Shell strength (KM, N) and Shell thickness (KK, Micron) features are emphasized and colour parameters (L*, a*, b*, Hue, Ch and ΔE) of egg shell were determined. The effect of oviposition time was found significant on the Shape index, Egg weight (g), Haugh unit and Shell thickness (micron) values. However, Albumen height (mm), Egg Quality, Roche scale and Shell strength (N) were not affected by oviposition time. Among the egg shell colour parameters, a*, b*, Hue and Chrome values were affected by the oviposition time, and the calculated difference was found to be statistically significant.

Keywords

• oviposition time
• age
• brown layer
• egg characteristics
• pure line