Egg Shell Quality as Influenced by 18-Day Beak Trimming and Time of Oviposition

Abstract

Abstract A 22-week study was conducted with commercial White Leghorn hens, which had been divided into beak-trimmed and untrimmed groups, to determine if beak trimming and time of oviposition affected egg shell quality. Eggs were collected daily at the same time. Shell quality measurements were made on morning (a.m.) and afternoon (p.m.) eggs at 28, 32, 38, and 42 weeks of age. Results indicated that numbers and weights of eggs of beak-trimmed birds were not significantly different from birds not beak trimmed. Shell quality, as measured by specific gravity (SG), deformation (SD), and breaking strength (BS), was not influenced by beak trimming. Weight and shell quality of afternoon eggs were superior to those laid during the morning. There were significant negative correlations between SD, SG, and BS for a.m. and p.m. eggs. It was concluded that the egg number and shell quality, although not affected by beak trimming, were influenced by time of oviposition.