The Influence of Layer Flock Age on Egg Component Yields and Solids Content

Abstract

Two experiments were conducted to determine the influence of layer flock age on egg component yields and solids content of the yolk and albumen. Experiment 1 was conducted on eggs collected during February from six commercial farms with the same strain (Shaver) of birds ranging in age from 26 to 58 weeks and fed the same dietary energy and protein levels. The total and relative amounts of shell, yolk, and albumen were determined using two separation techniques and the total solids were determined for the yolk and albumen. Experiment 2 was conducted in August using four commercial flocks of Shaver hens ranging in age from 29 to 6 2 weeks. The eggs were analyzed as in Experiment 1 using the separation technique that resulted in the lowest coefficient of variation.Results indicated that as layer flock age increases, egg weight, dry shell weight, deformation and percent yolk increased, percent shell, percent albumen and percent albumen solids decreased, and percent yolk solids exhibited no consistent patterns. These differences would result in an approximately 2% increase in dry yolk solids by using eggs from older hens.