Effect of Breed and Management System on Some External and Internal Physical Egg Characteristics

Abstract

The aim of the study was to determine the effect of housing system and breed on some external and internal egg quality characteristics. The investigated eggs came from local Sudanese baladi and Hi-sex commercial laying hens, as well as from traditional and semi close system of housing. Egg quality assessment was based on the following external egg traits: weight, shell index, egg volume, surface area, shell weight, shell thickness, specific gravity; physical features of egg content: albumen height, albumen weight, value of Haugh units, yolk weight, yolk volume and yolk- albumen (%). Eggs with the highest weight, shell index, egg volume, surface area, shell weight, shell thickness, specific gravity were laid by commercial Hi-sex hens, on the other hand, the effect of breed on the internal quality traits followed the same trend except for yolk –albumen (%) in which baladi breed showed higher yolk – albumen (%) compared to Hi- sex commercial layer. Semi close system of housing significantly increase surface area, shell weight, shell index and specific gravity. No effect of management system on egg weight, egg volume, shell thickness and egg yolk volume were observed.