The effect of oviposition time and genotype on egg quality characteristics in egg type hens

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ABSTRACT:The effect of three housing systems (conventional cages, enriched cages and litter) on egg quality parameters was evaluated in two experiments with four brown laying strains ISA Brown, Hisex Brown, Bovans Brown and Moravia BSL. During 40 weeks of lay the total number of 7200 eggs was produced and analysed for egg weight, egg component weight and eggshell quality indicators. In 60 eggs, pore density in the small-end, large-end and equatorial areas was determined. Significant interactions between genotype and housing were found out in egg weight (P ≤ 0.001), yolk and albumen weight (P ≤ 0.001) and yolk colour (P ≤ 0.001). Haugh units were the highest in eggs laid in cages and the lowest in the ISA Brown strain. Eggshell quality indicators were affected more by genotype than by housing. The interaction between genotype and housing was not significant for eggshell thickness but it was significant for eggshell weight and strength. Although eggshell thickness was lower in eggs produced in cages, eggshell strength was higher. A significant negative correlation was found out between pore density and housing system. Results of the study suggest that the ability of a strain to produce eggs of high quality in a particular housing system should be considered, even within brown strains.

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 82%

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confidence: 99%

Interaction between housing system and genotype in relation to internal and external egg quality parameters

Tůmová¹,

Englmaierová²,

Ledvinka³

et al. 2011

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“…The dynamics of the eggshell properties during the day was described by Ledvinka et al (2000), Tůmová and Ebeid (2005), Tůmová et al (2007Tůmová et al ( , 2009, who analysed the properties of eggs and eggshells in different hen hybrids during the laying cycles.…”

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confidence: 99%

Eggshell quality and calcium utilization in feed of hens in repeated laying cycles

Arpášová¹,

Halaj²,

Halaj³

2010

Hens of the laying hybrid Shaver Starcross 288 were used in two consequential experiments. The first experiment (for 10 months) was conducted on hens at the age from 18 to 60 weeks (1st cycle; n = 50) and moulted hens after 10 months laying from 70 to 110 weeks of age (2nd cycle; n = 50). For the second experiment (for 8 months) in the 1st cycle 18 weeks old hens were bought (n = 60) and hens from the first experiment after moulting were used in the 2nd and 3rd cycle (n = 32 and n = 28). During the experiments eggshell qualitative parameters and calcium utilisation (%) were determined. The results indicate that the percentage of eggshell decreased with the increasing number of cycles. The significant correlation of the eggshell proportion and the age of hens was higher in long, advanced cycles (P < 0.05). The shell strength in both experiments decreased slightly in relation to the age of hens and repeated laying cycles. The shell deformation had an opposite trend to the shell strength, i.e. it increased with the increasing laying. The average shell thickness showed a decrease in the repeated laying cycles, more significant in shorter cycles (P < 0.01). The specific shell gravity maintained balanced values both in cycles and by the age of hens. The shell density in all cycles in both experiments showed a decreasing tendency in relation to the age of hens. In dietary calcium utilization for the shell formation a significant decrease was recorded in the second cycles after moulting (P < 0.05).

“…Numerous studies have indicated that eggs laid early in the morning are heavier than eggs laid during the later periods of the day, but that eggshell characteristics are better (Yannakopoulos et al, 1994;Novo et al, 1997;Pavlovski et al, 2000;Tůmová and Ebeid, 2005;Tůmová et al, 2007), yolk percentage is slightly lower (Tůmová and Ebeid, 2005;Tůmová et al, 2007) and Haugh units increase (Pavlovski et al, 2000;Tůmová and Ebeid, 2005) in eggs laid in the afternoon. Oviposition times may be estimated from ovulation times.…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

“…In spite of the fact that Schmidt et al (1997) stated that selection for egg production had no significant effect on the oviposition interval, Lewis et al (1995) (Lillpers and Wilhelmson, 1993;Garces and Casey, 2003;Tůmová et al, 2007). In recent years in Europe there has been a significant trend to develop and use alternative housing systems rather than cages.…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

The effect of genotype, housing system and egg collection time on egg quality in egg type hens

Tůmová¹,

Skřivan²,

Englmaierová³

et al. 2009

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ABSTRACT:The effect of egg collection time, genotype and housing system on egg quality characteristics was evaluated in an experiment with laying hens of ISA Brown, Hisex Brown and Moravia housed on litter and in conventional cages. The experiment was conducted from 20 to 64 weeks of age. Eggs were collected and recorded daily at 06:00, 10:00 and 14:00 h. Once every four weeks, two days in row, all eggs laid from each pen or cage at each oviposition time were used for egg quality analyses (total 1 694 eggs). Egg collection time was dependent on genotype. Significantly more eggs were laid at 06:00h by ISA Brown while Moravia laid eggs mainly at 10:00 and 14:00 h. Housing on litter postponed the time of oviposition. The highest egg weight (62.09 g) was recorded in Hisex Brown genotype placed in cages and at 06.00 h. Interactions of all factors were determined also in Haugh units (P ≤ 0.041). Eggshell strength was affected by housing system, genotype and egg collection time (P ≤ 0.049). It was higher in cages than on litter, and lower in the Moravia genotype in comparison with the other two strains.