Physical Egg Characteristics of Hisex and Lohman Strains in Khartoum State

Abstract

This study was carried out to determine the effect of strain and age on egg quality characteristics and to compare these qualities in two poultry commercial layer strains (Hisex and Lohmann) and two ages (20-40wks, 50-70wks) under Sudan conditions. A total of 60 eggs were collected from three companies around Khartoum State (A, B and C). Data were collected on egg weight, shell weight, shell weight percentage, shell thickness, yolk weight, yolk weight percentage, yolk height, yolk diameter, yolk index, yolk color, albumen weight, albumen weight percentage, albumen height and Haugh unit. The results revealed that the (Strain) significantly affected some egg quality characteristics with Hisex being better in egg weight, egg shell weight percentage, yolk weight, yolk diameter, albumen weight, albumen height and Haugh unit, while the Lohmann was better only in yolk index. The results also showed that Hen’s age significantly affected some egg quality characteristics with age two (50-70wks) being superior in egg weight, egg shell weight, yolk weight, yolk diameter, albumen weight and albumen height, while age one (20-40wks) was better only in yolk index. Strain by age interaction significantly affected some egg quality characteristics. These were egg weight, egg shell weight, egg shell weight percentage, yolk weight, yolk diameter, yolk index, albumen weight, albumen height and Haugh unit, with better improvement in these characteristics except the Huagh unit which was significantly reduced. Therefore, Hisex eggs were superior to Lohmann eggs in all physical egg quality characteristics measured except for yolk index under Sudan conditions, and that older layers layed better quality eggs than younger ones.