Analysis of Changes in Egg Quality of Autochthonous Chicken Breed Oravka during Laying Period

Abstract

The aim of the work was to analyse of changes in external and internal characteristics of eggs of autochthonous chicken breed Oravka during laying cycle. A total of 350 eggs were collected to study for egg weight in g, egg shape index in %, shell thickness in mm, yolk, albumen and shell weight in g and their proportion in the egg mass, yolk index in % and Haugh units score in 26, 31, 36, 41, 46, 51 and 56 weeks of age (60 eggs for each age). The results showed that as the laying cycle of hens progressed, the egg weight and egg shape index were increased (P<0.05). During laying period increased (P<0.05) yolk weight and yolk proportion in the egg mass, whereas the albumen proportion and Haugh unit score decreased (P<0.05) with age of hens. The quality of yolk and albumen decreased (P<0.05) as the laying cycle advanced. The other results showed that eggshell proportion and thickness were reduced (P˃0.05), especially by the end of laying cycle.

Keywords

• age
• egg quality
• hen
• laying cycle
• oravka