Comparative Assessment of Egg Quality Across Farming Systems and Stages of Laying Cycle
Source abstract
Abstract
The aim of this study was the evaluation of egg quality between three different farming systems. Eggs collected from intensive (IS), extensive (ES), and dual-purpose systems (DPSs) at three stages of the production cycle (age) were analyzed for both external and internal traits. ISs represent high-input systems while ESs and DPSs represent low-input systems. Both the farming system and age had significant effects on quality characteristics. Eggs from the ES displayed a greater egg weight (64.3 ± 0.20 g) and shell weight (6.6 ± 0.03 g). Eggs from the IS farms displayed a higher Haugh unit score (83.2 ± 0.50), darker colored yolks (12.0 ± 0.06), and a lower incidence of blood spots (0.2 ± 0.05). The age and farming system influenced the fatty acid profile of eggs across farming systems. In particular, DPS eggs showed higher levels of unsaturated (62.2 ± 0.20%) and lower levels of saturated (37.8 ± 0.10%) fatty acids. The effect of age was also significant on the oxidation stability of yolks. The interaction effect (farming system × age) had significant effects on most traits. However, the farming system alone accounted for a greater portion of the variation in most egg quality parameters.
Source: crossref · Quality: baseline
Research context
OpenAlex topics: Animal Nutrition and Physiology · Effects of Environmental Stressors on Livestock · Agriculture and Biological Studies
SciVX discovery tags are terminology-based. OpenAlex topics are source-provided classifications.
Affiliations
Laboratory of Animal Husbandry, Department of Animal Production, School of Agriculture, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 54124 Thessaloniki, Greece
Poultry and Calf Expertise Centre, Aeres University of Applied Sciences, 6717 Barneveld, The Netherlands
Unit of Avian Medicine, Clinic of Farm Animals, School of Veterinary Medicine, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 54124 Thessaloniki, Greece
Department of Field Crops and Ecology, School of Agriculture, Faculty of Agriculture, Forestry and Natural Environment, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 54124 Thessaloniki, Greece
Laboratory of Animal Production & Environmental Protection, School of Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 54124 Thessaloniki, Greece
Funding
Horizon 2020 European Union project
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