EVALUATION OF HYGIENE AND GRADE CHARACTERISTICS OF EGGS PRODUCED FROM COMMERCIAL POULTRY FARMS WITHIN AND AROUND BIRNIN KEBBI METROPOLIS

Abstract

The study was conducted to investigated the physical hygiene and grade characteristics of eggs produced from commercial poultry farms within and around Brinin Kebbi metropolis. All viable commercial poultry farms covering 50 kilometers radius in and around Birnin kebbi metropolis were surveyed in a preliminary survey, and five (5) farms were identified to be operating in a relatively consistent commercial quantities. Three crates of fresh eggs (containing 30 eggs per each crate) were purchased from each farm. Therefore, a total of 450 eggs were used for the study. The physical characteristics determined include egg size, cracks, stains, dirt, texture, ridges, colour and shape of eggs while the eggs from various farms were graded using the USDA standard grading characteristics based on size classification of the eggs. Results on physical characteristics indicated that there was significant differences (P<0.05) on egg weight and number of dirty eggs among farms. However, there was no significant differences (P>0.05) between the farms on egg cracks, egg stains, egg textures and ridges on eggs. Farm B had higher egg weight (66.1g) while Farm E had the least (2.67) dirty eggs. Generally, egg size classification across the farms studied conforms to the USDA standards of jumbo, Extra-large and Large eggs. No medium eggs, small eggs and pwewee eggs were recorded among the farms studied. The study concluded that most of the eggs produced from selected farms are of good size and weight but have stains, dirts and cracks which could raise safety concerns. All eggs from the farms studied favorably conform to the USDA standards based on the size of the eggs.