Umut Sami YAMAK, Abdulkadir ARSLAN

Comparison of different eggshell thickness measurement methods

This study was conducted to examine how various methods affect the results of eggshell thickness measurements. Direct and indirect measurements were performed on 700 table eggs which were daily collected from the same flock. The shell thickness of the eggs was calculated according to a logarithm which uses egg weight. Eggs with a specific gravity of higher than 0.80 g/cm³ were classified as thick-shelled, whereas the others were categorized as thin-shelled. After determining the shell thickness of the eggs by an ultrasound gauge, all of the eggs were broken, the shells were separated, and the shell thickness of each egg was measured with two micrometers (digital and manual). Values measured by the manual micrometer were considered as actual thicknesses. Lowest correlation was determined between the logarithm method and the others (P > 0.05). However, there was a significant correlation between ultrasound and micrometer measurements (P < 0.05). According to the results of the current study, ultrasound measurement may be accepted as a suitable method for determining the eggshell thickness without breaking the egg.

PDF

___

1. Türkyılmaz MK, Dereli E, Şahin T. Effects of shell thickness, shell porosity, shape index and egg weight loss on hatchability in Japanese quail (Coturnix japonica). Kafkas Üniversitesi Veteriner Fakültesi Dergisi 2005; 11 (2): 147-150.
2. Birchard GF, Deeming DC. Avian eggshell thickness: scaling and maximum body mass in birds. Journal of Zoology 2009; 279: 95101.
3. Peebles ED, Mcdaniel CD. A practical manual for understanding the shell structure of broiler hatching eggs and measurements of their quality. Mississippi Agriculture and Forestry Experiment Station Bulletin 2004; 1139. 16
4. Ar A, Paganelli CV, Reeves RB, Grene DG, Rahn H. The avian egg: Water vapor conductance shell thickness and functional pore area. Condor 1974; 76: 153-158.
5. Voisey PW, Hamilton RMG. Notes on the measurement of egg specific gravity to estimate shell quality. Engineering Research Service. Agriculture Canada Report 1976; No:7322-598.
6. Bennet CD. The influence of shell thickness on hatchability in commercial broiler breeder flocks. Journal of Applied Poultry Research 1992; 1: 61-65.
7. Yamak US, Boz MA, Uçar A, Sarıca M, Önder H: The effect of eggshell thickness on hatchability of guinea fowl and pheasants. Brazilian Poultry Science 2016; Oct-Dec, Special Issue 2, Incubation, 53-58.
8. Yamak US, Sarıca M, Boz MA, Uçar A. The effect of eggshell thickness on hatching traits of partridges. Brazilian Poultry Science 2016; July-Sep, Special Issue, Quails, 13-18.
9. Snapir M, Perek M. Evaluation of various methods of measuring egg shell quality. Annales De Zootechnie 1969; 18 (4): 399-405.
10. Leeson S, Summers JD. A comparison of two methods of measuring egg shell quality. Poultry Science 1976; 55: 2472- 2474.
11. Carter TC. The hen’s egg: A rapid method for routine estimation of flock mean shell thickness. British Poultry Science 1975; 16: 131-143.
12. Yamak US, Sarıca M, Boz MA, Önder H. The effect of egg shell thickness on some hatching traits of broiler breeders. Kafkas Üniversitesi Veteriner Fakültesi Dergisi 2015; 21 (3): 421-424.
13. Ergun OF, Yamak US. The effect of eggshell thickness on hatchability of quail eggs. Veterinary World 2017; 10 (9): 1114- 1117.