Abstract
ABSTRACT The physical, morphological, and mechanical characteristics of eggs play an important role in the processes of embryo development and hatching. Some physical, morphological, and mechanical characteristics of turkey (Meleagris gallopavo; Zagorje breed) eggs collected during two laying cycles from same turkey hens were determined in this study. The average values of length, width, geometric mean diameter, weight, surface area, volume, sphericity, eggshell thickness, and eggshell density were determined as 66.61 mm, 46.84 mm, 52.66 mm, 77.74 g, 8712.42 mm2, 76553.49 mm3, 79.31%, 0.354 mm and 3.13 g cm-3, respectively. Eggs collected during second laying cycle were, on average, larger and heavier in comparison with those collected during first cycle. Average albumen, yolk and eggshell percentages of the eggs collected during two laying cycles were 58.11%, 29.50% and 12.39%, respectively. The highest breaking strength was obtained when the eggs were loaded along the X-front axis and the least breaking strength was required along the Z-axis. The average breaking strength, absorbed energy and firmness in loading along the X-front axis were found to be 73.80 N, 9.75 N mm and 280.30 N mm-1, respectively.
Highlights
Turkeys (Meleagris gallopavo) were domesticated in Mexico between years 200 B.C. and 700 A.D. and were taken to Europe immediately after the discovery of America
Egg length values varied over a wider range than egg width values, which is in agreement with results of Mroz et al (2014)
The average breaking strength for duck eggs has been reported to range between 24.81-37.11 N (Okruszek et al, 2006). In comparison with those values, the turkey eggs tested in this study presented higher eggshell strength and, on average, higher strength was required to break the eggs (43.07-73.80 N), depending on the direction of the applied force
Summary
Turkeys (Meleagris gallopavo) were domesticated in Mexico between years 200 B.C. and 700 A.D. and were taken to Europe immediately after the discovery of America. The first written evidence of the existence of turkeys in Croatia appears in the year 1561, precisely in the Zagorje region (Kodinetz, 1940). Zagorje is a region in northern Croatia with many hills, meadows, and orchards and with favorable climate for turkey breeding. Breeding in this limited geographical area during the past four and a half centuries, with a very small influence from outside, has resulted in specific traits, which characterize the Zagorje as a distinctive turkey breed. Zagorje turkeys have been traditionally reared in an outdoor system over the centuries, which means that the birds are kept free for most of their lives, moving freely through meadows, orchards, groves, or other habitats rich in vegetation and fauna. Zagorje poults are reared outdoors until formation of caruncles (Muzic et al, 1999)
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