Influence of hen age on egg quality and storage stability during peak and post-peak production in a conventional cage system
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.34188/bjaerv9n4-048Palavras-chave:
shelf life, Haugh units, yolk index, egg quality, lightweight laying hensResumo
This study evaluated the effects of hen age and storage period on egg quality in lightweight laying hens housed in a conventional cage system. Eggs were obtained from hens at peak (30 weeks) and post-peak (60 weeks) production and stored for 0, 7, 14, or 21 days. A total of 400 eggs, 200 from each age group, were individually weighed and distributed in a completely randomized design in a 2 × 4 factorial arrangement. No significant interaction between hen age and storage period was observed. Hen age affected egg weight, yolk weight, and eggshell weight (P < 0.0001), whereas albumen weight, yolk index, yolk color, and eggshell thickness were not affected (P > 0.05). Storage period affected albumen weight linearly and yolk weight, eggshell weight, and yolk index quadratically in eggs from 60-week-old hens (P < 0.0001). Haugh units (HU) decreased linearly with storage time (P < 0.0001), while hen age did not significantly affect HU (P = 0.054). Neither hen age nor storage period significantly affected albumen or yolk pH (P > 0.05). Overall, hen age primarily influenced the initial distribution of egg components, whereas storage duration was the main factor associated with the deterioration of internal egg quality. Hen age influenced the initial characteristics of eggs but did not affect their stability during storage. Storage duration was the main factor determining the decline in egg quality. Under conventional cage housing, eggs from lightweight laying hens at 30 and 60 weeks of age showed similar storage stability over 21 days.
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