Albumen Percentage Research Articles

Desempenho e qualidade de ovos de poedeiras alimentadas com níveis de bagaço de cevada na ração

Objetivou-se com este trabalho avaliar o desempenho produtivo e a qualidade de ovos de poedeiras semipesadas alimentadas com diferentes níveis de bagaço de cevada na ração. Foram utilizadas 96 poedeiras da linhagem Hisex Brown após a muda forçada. As aves foram distribuídas em delineamento experimental inteiramente casualizado, com quatro tratamentos, seis repetições e quatro aves por unidade experimental. Os tratamentos foram constituídos por quatro níveis de bagaço de cevada (0; 4; 8 e 12%) em substituição ao milho. Foram avaliados: consumo de ração (g/ave/dia), produção de ovos (%), peso dos ovos (g), massa de ovos (g/ave/dia), conversão alimentar por massa (kg/ kg) e por dúzia (kg/dz) de ovos, gravidade específica (g/cm3), peso e porcentagem de gema (g e %), albúmen (g e %) e casca (g e %), variação do peso corporal (g) e viabilidade das aves (%). Não houve efeito (P>0,05) dos tratamentos sobre a qualidade dos ovos. Houve efeito quadrático (P<0,05) para o consumo de ração, sendo estimado o nível de 8,36% de bagaço de cevada para o menor consumo. Verificou-se efeito linear (P<0,01) decrescente para a produção de ovos e massa de ovos, e efeito linear crescente (P<0,05) para a conversão alimentar por dúzia de ovos (kg/dz). O uso de bagaço de cevada na ração, não influencia a qualidade dos ovos, contudo diminui o desempenho zootécnico de poedeiras semipesadas criadas em clima quente, no segundo ciclo de postura.

Effect of Dietary Incorporation of Azolla Meal on Production Performance and Egg Quality of Vanaraja Laying Hens

An experiment was conducted to evaluate the effect of dietary incorporation of Azolla meal on production performance and egg quality of Vanaraja laying hens. Seventy two, 48-weeks old Vanaraja laying hens were randomly distributed into three dietary treatment groups of 24 hens each and were reared in deep litter system. Each treatment contained 4 replicates of 6 hens each. Three experimental diets were formulated by incorporating Azolla meal (AZM) at 0, 5% and 10% levels. A measured quantity of feed (150 g/day) was offered to each bird everyday during the experimental period. Egg production was recorded daily on individual pen basis and percent hen housed egg production (HHEP) was calculated. The average feed consumption was recorded as g/hen/day and feed efficiency was calculated on the basis of feed consumed per unit egg mass production. All the eggs laid during the last five consecutive days of each 28 days period were collected to measure the egg weight. Twelve eggs were randomly chosen in each treatment from the eggs laid during the last three consecutive days of each 28-day period to determine the egg quality. Dietary incorporation of AZM at either 5 or 10% level reduced the body weight of laying hens. The egg production, egg weight, egg mass per day and feed conversion efficiency (g feed/g egg) was comparable among the 0% (control), 5% and 10% AZM incorporated diets. The egg quality indices like albumen, yolk and egg shell percentage observed were similar across the different dietary treatment groups. Similarly, Dietary incorporation of AZM upto 10% in the diet had no influence on Haugh unit and shell thickness.

Effect of Low Protein Diets on Egg Quality and Egg Composition of Vanaraja Laying Hens

The research work was done to study the effect of feeding low levels of protein on egg quality traits in Vanaraja laying hens (35-46 weeks). A total of one hundred eight (108), Vanaraja laying hens were selected at random at 35 weeks of age. The birds were distributed into four treatment groups with three replicates of nine birds in each replicate pen in a complete randomized design. According to the experimental groups, four levels of dietary protein (13, 14.5, 16 ad 17.5% Crude Protein) with similar energy content (2,600 Metabolisable Energy kcal/kg) were given to the hens and the ratio of lysine and methionine to CP were kept constant in all the diets. There was no influence of dietary CP level on any of the egg quality parameters except albumen and yolk percentage in eggs at 38 weeks of age and egg shell percentage which was highest (P

Karakteristik Fisik dan Kimia Telur Burung Mamoa (Eulipoa Wallacei) di Pantai Uwo Uwo Kecamatan Galela Kabupaten Halmahera Utara

The aim of this research was to determine physicochemical characteristics of Mamoa egg. The eggs were collected about 100 eggs from Uwo uwo beach. Physical quality was observe in Animal Husbandry laboratory, Faculty of Agricultural, Khairun University. The physical characteristics observed were measuring include weight, shape, colour of eggshell, length, diameter, egg index, albumen, yolk, weight of eggshell, haugh unit, and thickness of eggshell. The chemical characteristics consist of moisture content, protein, fat content, fiber content, ash, carbohydrate, cholesterol, and antioxidant. Data were analyzed by quantitative descriptive analysis. The result showed that physical quality of egg were weight = 97.28 g, length = 7.12 cm, diameter = 5.45 cm, index of egg = 71.89%, Percentage of yolk and albumen were 69.12% and 23.24%, haugh unit score = 68.78 and shape of egg was ovale. The chemical characteristic of egg chemical quality were protein content = 15.47%, fat content = 8.31%, carbohydrate = 25.52 %, cholesterol = 387.54 mg/100gr, and antioxidant = 49.08% dpph.

Brazil nut meal and spray-dried egg powders as alternatives to synthetic methionine in organic laying hen diets

The United States organic poultry industry is currently facing a limitation on dietary inclusion of synthetic methionine (Met). This study investigated Brazil nut protein powder (BNPP), spray-dried egg white (SDEW), and spray-dried egg blend (70:30 albumen: yolk) (SDEB) as alternatives to synthetic Met in organic laying hen diets. A total of 270 Hy-Line Brown laying hens was fed 5 diets from 22 to 38 wk of age, with 6 replicates of 3 adjacent cages per diet and 3 hens per cage. Diets included a commercial control (COM) (non-organic with standard CP and synthetic Met), an organic control (ORG) (with no synthetic Met, but higher CP to meet Met requirements), and 3 organic treatment diets with no synthetic Met, but including BNPP, SDEW, or SDEB at levels to meet Met requirements. Egg production and quality, body weight (BW), feed intake, and manure nutrients and ammonia were assessed. Data were analyzed using the PROC MIXED procedure of SAS, with Tukey's test used for multiple mean comparisons, and P ≤ 0.05 was deemed statistically significant. Body weight was greatest for the COM diet, and feed conversion improved for hens fed egg-based diets compared to controls. Egg weight and production did not differ between COM and treatment diets. The SDEW diet had greater albumen height and Haugh units compared to ORG and BNPP diets and greater percent albumen compared to COM and BNPP diets. Specific gravity was greatest for BNPP fed hens. Manure DM and potash were highest from COM and BNPP diets, respectively. Both egg-based diets increased ammonia flux relative to the COM diet. The BNPP and egg-based diets were lower in cost for $/metric tonne, $/dozen eggs, and $/kg of eggs compared to the ORG diet. The ingredients assessed herein could, therefore, cost-effectively replace synthetic Met in organic hen diets without negatively impacting egg production.

Differences in egg nutrient availability and embryo development in white layer breeder genotypes

Because of consumers' preferences and also due to changes in production systems, the importance of pure breeds has increased again. There are a lot of differences among breeds which have been studied extensively, however, the differences during the incubation period are not yet fully known. Therefore, the present study was conducted to evaluate the composition of the egg parts, absorption of nutrients, and development of embryos from different genotypes. A total of 354 fresh hatching eggs were obtained from one hybrid (Lohman White, LW) and two pure breeds (Denizli and Gerze). Hatching eggs from each genotype were examined on the day of setting for egg analysis and then at the beginning of the embryonic d 19 (E19) and embryonic d 21 (E21) for egg, embryo, jejunum, and tibia analysis. On d 21 of incubation, the healthy chicks were removed and weighed. Egg weight, shell thickness, percentages of albumen, and some parameters of albumen composition (dry matter, water, ash, protein, energy, Na, Ca, K, and Mg) were higher in fresh eggs obtained from LW hens. Furthermore, the relative yolk sac and embryo weight, some yolk parameters (dry matter, water, protein, fat, and energy) and some shell parameters (dry matter, ash, Na, Ca, and K) were also higher in eggs obtained from LW hens during incubation. However, tibia deformation and villus width were lower in LW embryos than the other genotypes. Relative chick weights were 68.9, 72.0, and 68.0% in LW, Denizli, and Gerze genotypes, respectively. During incubation, differences in all examined parameters were significant except thickness and weight of shell, tibia deformation, and crypt depth. Yolk sac weight, some yolk composition parameters, K level in the shell, Cu level in the tibia, and villus height were also affected by genotype and period interaction. Based on these results, LW was found advantageous in terms of egg composition, however, regarding villus development and tibia deformation in embryos during incubation, pure breeds showed better results.

Egg parameters of the Red Wattled Lapwing (Vanellus indicus) in agricultural ecosystem of Punjab

The Red Wattled Lapwing is an important bird of the agro-ecosystem of the Punjab state, feeding on insects, seeds and nectar. The present study was carried out to gather information on the egg parameters (morphometry and its components), which is lacking for this species. The eggs were observed in the nest construct-ed in the agricultural fields of Punjab Agricultural University (PAU), Ludhiana, Punjab. Egg length, width and weight were measured using vernier caliper and portable weighing balance, respectively, in laboratory. The egg parameters like egg volume, specific gravity and shape index were also calculated. Weight of egg components (yolk, albumen and shell) were also measured using weighing balance. Results revealed that average values of egg breadth, length and shape index were: 30.05±0.331 (mm), 41.29±0.573 (mm) and 72.83±0.930, respectively. Whereas whole egg weight, albumen weight, yolk weight, shell weight, albumen percentage, yolk percentage, shell percentage, egg volume and specific gravity were 17.49±0.634(gm),7.17±0.374 (gm), 9.05±0.233 (gm), 1.26±0.070 (gm), 40.84±0.941 (%), 51.92±0.830 (%), 7.22±0.280 (%), 17.07±0.531(cm3) and 1.02±0.009 (gm/cm3), respectively. This study pro-vides important information that can help the avian taxonomists in species classification, as bird’s egg diverges widely in shape, volume, weight and percentage of albumen, yolk and shell. Therefore, we can use the egg parameters as additional information in bird systematic.

Differences in egg nutrient availability and embryo development in white layer breeder genotypes.

ABSTRACT Because of consumers’ preferences and also due to changes in production systems, the importance of pure breeds has increased again. There are a lot of differences among breeds which have been studied extensively, however, the differences during the incubation period are not yet fully known. Therefore, the present study was conducted to evaluate the composition of the egg parts, absorption of nutrients, and development of embryos from different genotypes. A total of 354 fresh hatching eggs were obtained from one hybrid (Lohman White, LW) and two pure breeds (Denizli and Gerze). Hatching eggs from each genotype were examined on the day of setting for egg analysis and then at the beginning of the embryonic d 19 (E19) and embryonic d 21 (E21) for egg, embryo, jejunum, and tibia analysis. On d 21 of incubation, the healthy chicks were removed and weighed. Egg weight, shell thickness, percentages of albumen, and some parameters of albumen composition (dry matter, water, ash, protein, energy, Na, Ca, K, and Mg) were higher in fresh eggs obtained from LW hens. Furthermore, the relative yolk sac and embryo weight, some yolk parameters (dry matter, water, protein, fat, and energy) and some shell parameters (dry matter, ash, Na, Ca, and K) were also higher in eggs obtained from LW hens during incubation. However, tibia deformation and villus width were lower in LW embryos than the other genotypes. Relative chick weights were 68.9, 72.0, and 68.0% in LW, Denizli, and Gerze genotypes, respectively. During incubation, differences in all examined parameters were significant except thickness and weight of shell, tibia deformation, and crypt depth. Yolk sac weight, some yolk composition parameters, K level in the shell, Cu level in the tibia, and villus height were also affected by genotype and period interaction. Based on these results, LW was found advantageous in terms of egg composition, however, regarding villus development and tibia deformation in embryos during incubation, pure breeds showed better results.

<b>Fish by-product meal in diets for commercial laying hens

This study aimed to evaluate the increasing levels (0, 1, 2, 3 e 4%) of fish by-product meal in diets for laying hens on performance, egg quality and economic analysis. A total of 160 Dekalb White hens with 52-wk old were distributed in a completely randomized design with five treatments and four replicates of eight birds each. The experiment lasted 84 days divided into four periods of 21 days. Estimates of fish by-product meal levels were determined by polynomial regression. Differences (p < 0.05) were detected for all variables of performance, in egg weight, yolk and albumen percentage, yolk and albumen height, feed cost and production cost, in which the inclusion of fish by-product meal in the diets showed better results. It can be concluded that fish by-product meal can be used in diets for hens as alternative feed, with better results in egg production, feed conversion, egg weight, yolk-albumen ratio and a reduction in feed cost and production cost.

<b>Supplementation of extract of <i>Lafoensia pacari</i> in the diet of semi heavy laying hens

It was intended to evaluate the supplementation of Lafoensia pacari standardized in tannins extract in the diet of laying hens on the performance, internal and external quality of eggs and metabolism of the feed nutrients. A total of 168 Isa Brown laying hens, aged 24 weeks, with the mean weight of 2.6 kg and the mean posture rate of 87% were used during 4 periods of 28 days each. The treatments consisted of Halquinol performance-enhancing antibiotic, Mannanoligosaccharide (MOS) prebiotic and three levels of pacari extract – 1,000, 2,000 and 3,000 mg kg-1of feed. The experimental design was completely randomized, with six treatments and seven replicates of four hens each. The pacari standardized in tannin extract presented a percentage of albumen and an egg weight similar to the antibiotic (p < 0.04). The supplementation with the extract improved the shell quality, verified by the specific gravity (p < 0.03) and promoted the metabolizability of ether extract similar to antibiotic and MOS (p < 0.04), allowing its indication as a phytogenic additive.

Complexo multienzimático na dieta das galinhas poedeiras

The main purpose of this work was to evaluate the effects of supplementation of laying hen diets with increasing levels of enzymatic complex composed of α-amylase, β-glucanase, cellulase, xylanase, protease and phytase in the forms “on top”, with reductions in the levels of PB, MS, Ca, P available and amino acids. Semi-heavy 384 layers were used with Isa Brown hens, with an initial age of 29 weeks, distributed in six treatments with eight replications, with eight birds per experimental plot, using a completely randomized design (CRD) with sub installments on time (4 periods of 28 days each). The treatments were: Positive Control (PC) 2.750 kcal kg-1 MS, 17.2% PC and 0.41% available P; Negative Control (NC) 2.600 kcal kg-1 MS, 16.7% PC, 0.26% available P; Positive Control + 350 g ton-1 of feed of enzymatic complex (PC350); Negative Control + 250 g ton-1 of feed of enzymatic complex (NC250); Negative Control + 350 g ton-1 of feed of enzymatic complex (NC350) and; Negative Control + 500 g ton-1 of feed of enzymatic complex (NC500). The variables analyzed for growth performance were: feed intake (g bird-1 day-1), egg production (% bird-1 day-1), average egg weight (%) and feed conversion per egg mass (kg kg-1 of feed/eggs). The internal and external quality variables of the analyzed eggs were shell thickness (mm), bark percentages of albumen and yolk, Haugh unit and specific gravity (g cm-3). The addition of enzymatic complex did not interfere in the results of zoo-technical importance or quality of eggs from hens aged 29-44 weeks. Increased consumption of feed/bird/day was enough to supply the reduced nutritional levels of NC diets and maintain balance in the results to the rest of the variables. For some growth performance variables sometimes during the trial period, a negative influence of the inclusion of high levels of enzymatic complex was observed where the NC350 and NC500 diets had a high feed intake and a worst feed conversion than the other diets.

Glycerin from biodiesel in the feeding of red-egg layers

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of vegetable glycerin on performance and egg quality of red-egg layers in the second production cycle. A total of 252 Hy-Line Brown layers weighing 1.919 ± 0.095 kg, at 90 weeks, were used in a completely randomized design with six treatments and seven birds per replication. The experiment lasted 84 days. Treatments consisted of a control diet (no glycerin) and five diets with increasing levels of vegetable glycerin (2, 4, 6, 8, and 10%). The following variables were evaluated: feed intake (g/bird/day); egg production (%); egg weight (g); egg mass (g/bird/day); conversion per egg mass (kg kg) and per dozen eggs (kg/dz); percentages of albumen, yolk, and shell; eggshell thickness (mm); and egg specific gravity. (Y = 67.69 + 54.23X, R2 = 0.78) and egg mass (Y = 44.84 + 42.87X, R2 = 0.66) improved linearly with the glycerin levels. A quadratic effect was observed (Y = 114.11 + 336.96 X – 3,169.6 X2, R2 = 0.52) on feed intake. In conclusion, glycerin can be used to partially replace corn in diets for layers in the second production cycle at inclusion levels of up to 10%.

Performance and egg quality parameters of laying hens submitted to different rearing densities

This study aimed to evaluate the effect of different rearing densities during brooding (0 to 2 weeks) and growth (3 to 15 weeks) on performance and egg quality of laying hens (Hy-line W-36) during production phase (18 to 42 weeks). In the brooding phase, a total of 3250 day-old chicks were allocated in wire cages, distributed in a completely randomized design composed of 5 treatments (63.57; 66.38; 69.44; 72.80 and 76.50 cm²/bird) with 10 replications each. At the beginning of the growth phase, floor space in each treatment was increased. Therefore, a total of 750 birds were selected from the original treatments, which represented 237.57, 265.52, 300.92, 347.22, and 410.35 cm²/bird. At the end of the growing phase, 390 pullets were transferred to production facilities and distributed, according to their original treatment, in conventional cages with 430.76 cm²/bird (13 birds/cage). For this phase, only 6 replications per treatment were adopted. Experimental data were subjected to analysis of variance and, in the case of significant differences, means were analyzed using polynomial regression test. Body weight, weight gain and uniformity were compared during the brooding and growth phases. First-egg weight, age at first egg, age at 50% daily production, weights of egg, albumen, yolk and shell, egg mass, yolk diameter, yolk height, yolk index, albumen height, percentages of shell, albumen and yolk, shell thickness, Haugh unit, and egg specific gravity were analyzed during the production stage. In conclusion, raising pullets on 63.57 cm2/bird (71 birds/cage) does not affect chicks’ performance during the brooding phase. However, for the growth phase, the recommendation is to provide 410.35 cm2/bird, which corresponded to 11 birds/cage in this research. For the production period, the recommendation is to utilize pullets raised on 265.52 cm2/bird, which corresponded to 17 birds/cage on this research.

Effect of anti-prolactin drug and peppermint on broodiness, laying performance and egg quality in indigenous hens

The study was conducted to determine the effect of antiprolactin drug (Bromergon®) and Peppermint (Mentha piperita L.) on broodiness, laying performance and egg quality in indigenous hens. The effect of modulation of prolactin concentration on egg production, sequence length and inter sequence pauses were studied by analyzing the oviposition records. Total sixty indigenous laying hens (30-40 weeks of age), were assigned for treatment with peppermint solution and Bromergon®. Sixty laying hens were randomly divided into 4 groups (A, B, C and D) and each group remained 15 hens. Group A was kept for control, Group B was treated with bromocriptine (Bromergon® SANDOZ) orally @ 640 ?g per bird per day, Group C with 50% peppermint solution @ 10 g per bird orally and Group D was with peppermint and Bromergon® combined at previous dose. Over the course of trial, incremental dietary peppermint (Group C) significantly (p?0.05) increased egg production, body weight of treated indigenous hens than other groups. Egg shell percentage, thickness and haugh unit of hens fed diets supplemented with peppermint were greater than that of hens fed the control diet. However, peppermint supplementation did not influence other egg quality characteristics like albumen and yolk percentages and albumen height. The treated birds had comparatively longer sequences and fewer pauses. It is concluded that the physiological pauses occur during ovulatory sequences can be disrupted effectively using Bromergon® and peppermint. Prolactin levels modulated which may interfere with follicular recruitment and subsequent oviposition thereby improves egg laying potential of the indigenous hens.Asian J. Med. Biol. Res. December 2016, 2(4): 547-554

Efeito da temperatura e período de armazenamento sobre a qualidade de ovos de poedeiras

Objetivou-se avaliar a qualidade de ovos de poedeiras comerciais armazenados em diferentes temperaturas e períodos de armazenamento. Foram coletados, logo após a postura, 440 ovos de poedeiras da linhagem Dekalb White. Todos os ovos foram identificados, pesados e distribuídos aleatoriamente às bandejas, sendo 200 armazenados em temperatura ambiente (25,8 ± 0,9º C), 200 ovos em bandejas sob refrigeração (7,0 ± 0,4º C) e os 40 ovos foram utilizados para realizar avaliação no primeiro dia. O delineamento utilizado foi inteiramente casualizado em esquema fatorial 2x11, sendo duas temperaturas de armazenamento e 11 períodos de estocagem (um, três, seis, nove, 12, 15, 18, 21, 24, 27 e 30 dias), com 20 repetições. Os valores de perda de peso, gravidade específica, Unidade Haugh, pH de albúmen e de gema, coloração da gema, porcentagem de albúmen e de gema dos ovos foram influenciados (P

Effect of Syzygium cumini leaves on laying hens performance and egg quality.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of Syzygium cumini leaves (SCL) in laying hens diets on productive performance, egg quality and lipid oxidation of yolk. A total of 108 Hysex White laying hens were distributed in a completely randomized design with three treatments and six replicates of six birds each. The treatments consisted of SCL inclusion at dietary levels of 0, 5 and 10 g/kg. There was no significant effect of SCL inclusion on feed intake, laying percentage, weight and egg mass, feed conversion ratio, Haugh units, specific gravity, percentage of yolk, albumen and egg shells and shell thickness. However, the inclusion of SCL significantly influenced the yolk color and yolk lipid oxidation measured by TBARS values. Yolk color increased and TBARS values ​​decreased with the inclusion of SCL. The inclusion of SCL in laying hens diets improves pigmentation and lipid stability of yolk.

Laying Performance, Survival Rate, Egg Quality and Shell Characteristics in Laying Pullets Offered Honey in Drinking Water during Hot Season

Abstract Egg production, survival, egg quality and shell characteristics in laying pullets offered honey in drinking water during hot season were determined using hens (28-week-old, n = 120) allotted to either 0 (CONTROL), 10 (10H) or 20 ml honey/L water (20H) for 16 weeks divided into 4 phases of 4 weeks each. Data on hen-day production (EP), egg weight (EW), length (EL), breadth (EB), shape index (ESI), yolk weight (YW), yolk percentage (YP), albumen height (AH), albumen weight (AW), albumen percentage (AP), Haugh unit (HU), shell weight (SW), shell percentage (SP), shell thickness (ST) and survival (SR) were subjected to ANOVA. EP was significantly (P < 0.001) affected by treatment during phases 1-4. 20H resulted in higher EP than CONTROL in phase 1. In phase 2, EP was similar in CONTROL and 20H, but 10H was lower than the two. Higher EPs were recorded in CONTROL than in honey groups (phases 3, 4). EW was significantly (P < 0.01) affected by honey in week 1 only. Birds on 10H laid heavier eggs than CONTROL. 10H hens laid significantly longer (P < 0.001) eggs with higher (P = 0.008) ESI than control hens while 20H birds had significantly lower values of AH (P < 0.01), AP (P = 0.05) and HU (P = 0.05). Honey had no significant (P > 0.05) effect on EB, YW, YP, AW, SW, SP and SR, but improved (P < 0.05) ST in the first 2 phases. To ensure improvement in egg production and egg shell thickness in laying pullets during hot season, honey at 20 ml/L water can be offered for 4 weeks.

QUALIDADE INTERNA E EXTERNA DE OVOS DE POEDEIRAS COMERCIAIS COM CASCAS NORMAL E VÍTREA

Resumo Objetivou-se com esta pesquisa avaliar a qualidade de ovos de galinhas poedeiras classificados em ovos de casca normal e vítrea, produzidos por galinhas em três idades distintas (30, 50 e 70 semanas). Para cada idade foram amostrados 45 ovos de cada tipo de casca. O peso dos ovos em ambos os tipos de casca aumentou com o avanço da idade da galinha. Maior concentração de cálcio na casca foi encontrada nos ovos de casca normal em relação aos de casca vítrea, o teor de fósforo não foi influenciado pelo tipo de casca. A deposição mineral da casca foi constante. A espessura da casca aumentou independentemente do tipo de casca, ao longo da vida reprodutiva da galinha e diminuiu quando a ave se tornou mais velha. O percentual de albúmen aumentou, enquanto a percentagem de proteína e pH do albúmen diminuiram ao longo das idades. Percentagem da gema, umidade e pH diminuíram com o aumento da idade da poedeira, enquanto proteína bruta e extrato etéreo aumentaram. Os ovos de casca vítrea apresentaram casca de qualidade inferior àqueles de casca normal sem, contudo, haver um comprometimento da qualidade interna dos ovos.

Quail performance and egg quality at the end of production fed with varying levels of calcium

The goal of the present study was to evaluate the influence of increasing levels of dietary calcium on performance, egg quality, and the amount of calcium retained in the meat and excreted by Japanese quails at the final production. Four hundred 46-58-week-old Japanese quails were distributed in a completely randomized design consisting of five calcium level treatments: T1 = 2.95%, T2 = 3.25%, T3 = 3.55%, T4 = 3.85% and T5 = 4.15% calcium. The performance variables included feed intake (g bird-1 day-1), egg production (%), feed conversion by egg mass and per dozen eggs, egg mass (g), and viability. For egg quality, we assessed egg weight, percentage of albumen, yolk weight, percentage of shell, and shell thickness. We also evaluated the amount of calcium present in the meat and the amount of calcium excreted by quails. Increasing levels of calcium linearly influenced feed conversion, weight of yolk, and percentage of eggshell. Shell thickness increased up to the 3.85% calcium treatment. Calcium content of the meat differed among the quails; the quails fed the lowest level of calcium (2.95%) showed higher calcium content in meat, whereas calcium excretion increased with increasing levels of calcium in the diet. In conclusion, the addition of 3.85% of calcium in quail feed at the end of production improved eggshell quality, and maintained internal quality and performance within the recommended standards for the production phase tested in quails. Levels higher than 3.85% calcium negatively influenced the parameters analyzed.

Comparative analysis of the external and internal egg quality in different pure chicken breeds

The present study was conducted to evaluate some parameters of external and internal egg quality of some pure dual chicken breeds. A total of 500 eggs (100 eggs from each breed) were collected to study for egg (weight, shape index), albumen (weight, percentage), yolk (weight, percentage) and shell (weight, percentage, thickness, strength) quality. The eggs were analysed in the laboratory of Department of Poultry Science and Small Animal Husbandry of Slovak University of Agriculture in Nitra. The results showed that the egg weight and egg length of New Hampshire were significantly higher (P 0.05). Differences in albumen weight, albumen percentage, yolk weight and yolk percentage of tested dual chicken breeds were statistically no significant (P>0.05). Albumen height was significantly higher (P 0.05) in egg shell thickness and strength.