[01] Mojahid Abdallah Abdalhag, Department of Animal Production, Al-Neelain University, Kartoum, Sudan. [02] Saadia Abbas, Department of Poultry Production, University of Khartoum, Khartoum (Shambat), Sudan. [03] Rashid Habiballa Osman, Department of Poultry Production, West Kordofan University, El-Nuhud, Sudan.

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.

Shell Thickness, Yolk Weight, Yolk Index, Albumen Weight, Albumen Height and Haugh Unit

[01] Yasmeen, F., et al., Comparative productive performance and egg characteristics of pullets and spent layers. Pakistan Veterinary Journal, 2008. 28 (1): p. 5. [02] Kekeocha, C. C., Poultry Production Handbook. Macmillan Publishers Ltd. London, UK, 1985. [03] Khan, M. J. K. a. A. K. M. G. K., Study the Quality of Egg of Different Genotype of Chicken Under Semi-scavenging Ststem at Ban gladash. 2004. [04] Ledvinka, Z., et al., Egg quality of three laying hen genotypes kept in conventional cages and on litter. Archiv fur Geflugelkunde, 2012. 76: p. 38-43. [05] Oluyemi, J. and F. Roberts, Poultry Production in warm wet climates. 1979: Macmillan Press Ltd. [06] Smith, A. J. a. P. L., Poultry. Macmillan Publishers Ltd. London, UK, 1990. [07] Vlčková, J., E. Tumová, and M. Englmaierová, The effect of housing system on egg quality of Lohmann white and Czech hen. Acta fytotechnica et zootechnica, 2014. 17: p. 44-46. [08] Zita, L., E. Tůmová, and L. Štolc, Effects of genotype, age and their interaction on egg quality in brown-egg laying hens. Acta Veterinaria Brno, 2009. 78 (1): p. 85-91. [09] Eisen, E., B. Bohren, and H. McKean, The Haugh unit as a measure of egg albumen quality. Poultry Science, 1962. 41 (5): p. 1461-1468. [10] Guide, S. U. s., Version 8. SAS Institute. Inc., Carry, NC, USA, 2000. [11] Tutkun, M., M. Denli, and R. Demirel, Productivity and Egg Quality of Two Commercial Layer Hybrids Kept in Free-Range System. Turkish Journal of Agriculture-Food Science and Technology, 2018. 6: p. 1444. [12] Leyendecker, M., Hamann, H., Hartung, J., Kamphues, J., Ring, C., Gluender, G., Ahlers, C., Sander, I., Neumann U. and Distl, O., Analysis of genotype-environment interactions between layer lines and housing systems for performance traits, egg quality and bone breaking strength-2nd communication: Egg quality traits. Züchtungskunde, 2001. 73: p. 308-323. [13] Moula, N., et al., Comparison of egg composition and conservation ability in two Belgian local breeds and one commercial strain. International Journal of poultry science, 2009. 8 (8): p. 768-774. [14] Scott, M., M. Nesheim, and R. Young, Nutrition of the chicken 3rd ed. Scott and Associates, Ithaca, NY, USA, 1982. 119. [15] Suk, Y. and C. Park, Effect of breed and age of hens on the yolk to albumen ratio in two different genetic stocks. Poultry Science, 2001. 80 (7): p. 855-858. [16] Van Den Brand, H., H. Parmentier, and Kemp, Effects of housing system (outdoor vs cages) and age of laying hens on egg characteristics. British poultry science, 2004. 45 (6): p. 745-752. [17] Edmew, W., et al., Assessing the Performance, Egg Quality, and Carcass Characteristics of Indigenous Chickens Reared Under Traditional Management System. 2018: p. 2454-6224. [18] Zaviezo, R., Nutritional management of birds affected by heat. Rev. Indust. Avi, 1999. 46 (Suppl XII): p. 42-46.