• Korean Journal of Poultry Science
• /
• v.50 no.1
• /
• pp.23-30
• /
• 2023

This study was conducted to analyze the correlation between egg breakage rate and cumulative external forces on eggs during the egg transfer system in 12 commercial layers farms. The commercially available electronic egg device was used to detect the external forces on eggs during egg collection systems. In addition, egg breakage rate per farm was collected. It was found that the external force on eggs were greater in the order of washer and dryer connection part, conveyor connection part, transfer, sorter, collecting elevator, packer, egg transfer connection part, and egg tray. A positive relationship between the external forces on eggs during egg transit system and the incidence of cracked eggs per farm was noted. The external forces on eggs varied from 5G to 38G depending on the location and the egg breakage rate ranged from 3.2 to 14.5% per farm. Although efforts to produce eggs with high eggshell quality are considered important, extra care should be made to lower the external forces on eggs during the egg transfer system from laying house to egg packing center.

• Korean Journal of Poultry Science
• /
• v.50 no.2
• /
• pp.73-80
• /
• 2023

Vitamin D3 is an essential nutrient which plays an important role in calcium metabolism for eggshell formation, in calcium and phosphorus metabolism for bone mineralization, and in maintaining host immunity. Although there have been a great deal of studies investigating the role of vitamin D3 in eggshell quality and vitamin D3 contents in eggs, no attempts have been made to monitor the eggshell quality and vitamin D3 contents in eggs at farm level. Thus, this survey was conducted to measure eggshell quality and vitamin D3 contents in eggs laid from laying hens fed diets containing different levels of vitamin D3. Eggs from four commercial laying hen farms were sampled before and 1, 2, 3 and 5 weeks after provision of the vitamin D3-enriched diets added with the level of 16,500 IU and 29,000 IU. Dietary vitamin D3 did not affect the eggshell color and breaking strength, but increase the eggshell thickness. In addition, vitamin D3 contents in eggs were elevated as vitamin D3 in diets was increased. It is concluded that addition of dietary vitamin D3 into the diets of laying hens at the commercial laying hen farms could improve eggshell quality and vitamin D3 contents in eggs. It is expected that the prediction equation for egg vitamin D3 contents might be produced if more data on vitamin D3 contents in diets and eggs at the farms are to be analyzed.

• Korean Journal of Poultry Science
• /
• v.48 no.4
• /
• pp.169-176
• /
• 2021

An experiment was conducted to investigate the effects of varying levels of hydrolyzed yeast on egg production and egg quality in aged laying randomly allotted to three dietary treatments such that egg production was similar in each treatment (6 replicates of 10 birds each). The layers were fed diets containing 0, 0.1, or 0.2% hydrolyzed yeast for eight weeks. No significant difference was observed in egg production during the first half of the experiment. Egg production and daily egg mass in groups fed diets containing hydrolyzed yeast were significantly higher (P<0.05) than those of the control groups during the second half of the experiment. Egg weight was not affected by the dietary treatment. Eggshell strength and thickness in groups fed diets containing hydrolyzed yeast were significantly higher than those of the control groups during the overall experimental period (P<0.05). Although no significant differences were observed in the Haugh units, yolk color in the group fed diets containing 0.1% hydrolyzed yeast was significantly higher than that in the control group (P<0.05). The mammillary layer thickness increased in a linear manner and significantly following treatment with dietary hydrolyzed yeast (P<0.05). Antibody titer against avian influenza virus in the group fed diets containing 0.2% hydrolyzed yeast was significantly higher (P<0.05) than that in the control group. In conclusion, dietary hydrolyzed yeast improved egg production and eggshell quality of laying hens in the late stages of production.