Egg Varieties
The size of eggs is very important to poultry farmers because the larger an egg, the higher its market value and consumer appeal. There are six types of eggs, according to the general classification or nomenclature:
- Jumbo Eggs: weighs 70 g and above
- Extra Large Eggs: weighs between 63 g and 70 g per unit
- Large type Eggs: weighs between 56 g and 63 g per unit
- Medium Eggs: weighs between 49 g and 56 g per unit
- Small Eggs: weighs between 42 g and 49 g per unit
- Peewee Eggs: weighs below 42 g per unit
Factors Influencing Egg Size
Although no two hens produce eggs of the same size, some factors influence egg size. If you want to control the size of your eggs, you must first understand the various factors that influence egg size. To achieve your goal, you should also take the appropriate measures based on these factors.
1. Species
One of the factors influencing egg size is breed. Due to their small body sizes and genetic makeup, some chicken breeds are known to produce small eggs, whereas others produce medium to large eggs. As a result, the size of the eggs produced or laid is determined by the breed of chickens being raised.
2. Temperature in the Environment
After the start of production, chickens bred during the hot season typically lay small eggs. First, during the hot season or summer, the daily hours of sunlight are increased, which always results in early sexual maturity and the onset of egg production. However, the chickens’ eggs are frequently small.
Second, during the hot season or summer, birds’ feed intake or consumption is frequently low, and their body size is also small. As a result, their eggs are small.
When the temperature in the chicken house rises above 27oC, the eggs laid by the laying hens become smaller. The lower the egg production and egg size, the higher the ambient temperature.
3. Lighting Schemes
The lighting programs used during the growing period have an effect on egg size. Lighting programs can either delay or hasten sexual maturation. The age at which chickens start producing and laying eggs has a significant impact on egg size. The smaller the eggs produced in the first year of life, the younger the hen.
The increase in daily light hours during the growing period to 11 hours (or more) will hasten sexual maturity and the onset of egg production, but the eggs produced will be very small. Shortening the daily hours of light in the growing period from 10 to 18 weeks of age will delay sexual maturity and the onset of egg production, but the eggs produced later will be more fertile. Eggs are big when the production starts late.
4. Hen’s Age
The eggs are smaller when the laying hens are young, and they gradually grow larger as the laying hens get older. Old layers’ eggs (around 112 – 2 years) are frequently large and can weigh more than 70 grams. Birds aged 20 to 26 weeks lay smaller eggs than those aged 40 to 50 weeks. When the birds are about a year old, they will have reached their maximum egg size. Just before birds stop laying, egg size tends to decrease.
5. Feed Consumption
Assuming that all required nutrients are present in the feed at the appropriate levels, the higher the feed intake, the larger the eggs, and the lower the intake, the smaller the eggs. This is simply because eggs are also derived from feed through digestion, absorption, and metabolism.
6. Consumption of Water
Water plays a significant role in the size of an egg. When a hen’s water consumption is insufficient, it affects egg size and production. Water quality is also critical. Chickens should not be given hot, cold, or dirty water. It has a negative impact on chicken production and welfare. Keep the water clean and fresh, and keep an eye out for faulty drinkers (or nipples) and repair them.
7. Body Mass Index (BMI) and Physique
Higher body weight chickens lay larger eggs, while lower body weight chickens lay smaller eggs. Bodyweight is proportional to the variety, availability of required nutrients, light, and feed intake. As a result, the size of the egg can be controlled. Therefore, the size of the egg can be controlled by controlling the weight and body size.
8. Diet and nutrition
Nutrition is the “raw material” of eggs, and full-price feed formulated for chicken growth and development and production can produce normal-sized eggs. The loss or unavailability of one or more nutrients affects the rate and size of egg production. Egg weight and size are affected by methionine and linoleic acid levels, according to research [1][2].
9. Diseases
Diseases are a source of stress for chickens. They have varying effects on chicken feed intake and have a direct impact on egg production rate and egg size. As a result, disease prevention and control are critical tasks in manufacturing. Infections can be reduced by practicing good hygiene and management. The goal of disease prevention and control is not only to improve the quality of life.
10. Cooling and Storage of Eggs
It is critical to cool eggs as soon as possible after they are laid and to store them at 50oF to 55oF; otherwise, they will lose weight due to evaporation. This may result in lower grading results and, as a result, a lower economic return.
Cited Sources
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0032579119400746
https://www.scielo.br/scielo.php?pid=S1516-635X2012000200010&script=sci_arttext&tlng=en
