Effects of Brand of Feed and Egg Storage Duration on Physical Attributes of Eggs from Laying Hens in the Deep Litter Housing System

Abstract

This study was carried out to determine the effects of brands of feed and egg storage duration on physical attributes of eggs from laying hens in the deep litter housing system. Lohmann Brown layers (n=240) aged 23 - week were randomly allotted to four feed brands. Eggs (n=120) were sampled and stored at an ambient temperature ranging from 25.3 - 26.5oC and relative humidity of 65 - 67% at week 37. The physical characteristics were determined at days 0, 5, 10, 15 and 20 of eggs storage. The experiment was a 4x5 factorial arrangement in a completely randomised design. Similar (p>0.05) eggshell thickness was observed from hens on feed brand 2 (0.33mm), 3 (0.31 mm) and 4 (0.32 mm) but significantly (p<0.05) higher value was recorded in brand 1 (0.35 mm). Egg weight, length and width were not statistically affected (p>0.05) by the different proprietary feeds. Eggs from feed brand 2 and 4 had deeper yolk colour while those from 3 were lighter. There was no significant effect of treatment (p>0.05) on albumen height, Haugh unit, yolk weight and diameter of eggs from the different feeds. The egg weight was not altered by the duration of storage from days 5 to 20. The shell weight, yolk weight, egg width and length did not vary during the period of storage. Eggshell weight of feed proprietor 1 was higher while those from 4 were lower on storage day 20. Feed brands did not alter the gross physical attributes of eggs in this study appreciably.