The Comparison of Rough, Normal, and Translucent Egg Shells with Respect to Shell Strength and Calcification ,

Abstract

Eggs from one flock were sampled monthly for a five month period. From a total of 2440 eggs, 345 were selected and classified as having shells which were either normal, rough, or translucent streaked. There were 115 eggs in each classification. There were no differences between these classes in egg weight or surface area. Relative to normal shelled eggs both rough and translucent shells had significantly lower shell weights, mg. shell/cm.2 of surface area, percent shell, and breaking strength as determined by quasi-static loading (P < 0.001). Rough shelled eggs had a significantly lower breaking strength than shells with translucent streaks (P < 0.05). The low breaking strength of the shells with translucent streaks was probably related to lesser shell thickness rather than to a weakness at the site of the streak.