Comparative analysis of the external and internal egg quality in different pure chicken breeds

Abstract

The present study was conducted to evaluate some parameters of external and internal egg quality of some dual purpose chicken breeds. A total of 500 eggs (100 eggs from each breed) were collected to study for egg (weight, shape index), albumen (weight, percentage), yolk (weight, percentage) and shell (weight, percentage, thickness, strength) quality. The results showed that the egg weight and egg length of New Hampshire were significantly higher (P < 0.05) than that of Oravka whereas difference in egg shape index between these breeds was no significant (P > 0.05). Differences in albumen weight, albumen percentage, yolk weight and yolk percentage of tested dual purpose chicken breeds were statistically no significant (P > 0.05). Albumen height was significantly higher (P < 0.05) in New Hampshire compared with Plymouth Rock Buff and Sussex Light and Haugh unit score were significantly higher (P < 0.05) in New Hampshire compared with Oravka (Slovakian breed), Plymouth Rock Buff, Rhode Island and Sussex Light. The significantly (P < 0.05) higher values of yolk height and yolk index were detected in Oravka than New Hampshire, Plymouth Rock Buff, Rhode Island Red and Sussex Light. The shell weight and proportion were affected by the breed of hens (P < 0.05) but there were no significant differences (P > 0.05) in egg shell thickness and strength.