TryA
Classified
It Pays
Robert K. Rohrer
Bulldozing - Grading
Pat* Sales & Service
Barn Cleaners - Silo
Unloaders - Cattle Feeders
Qnarryville, R. D. 1
Hensel 548-2559
THfIRKSGiyiRG
We feel humbly grateful
for the many blessings
Instantly bestowed upon
, > 4 ?i
us.,. for the freedom
under which
privileged to
workship ... for the
many friends about
us . . . and for the privilege
of being allowed to render
a useful service
to our many clients.
MILLER &
BUSHONG, Inc.
Manufacturers of Early Bird
and Green Pastures Feeds
Egg Shell Damage
by Kcrmit Birth,
Penn State Marketing
Damaged egg shells represent
a sizable economic loss to indi
vidual producers and market
ing firms. The severity varies
among producers. It is not un
common when candling eggs to
pick out 5 to 10 percent of the
eggs having damaged shells.
Some may even be a total loss.
These conditions represent not
only a reduced return for eggs
to producers but may also re
present a loss of markets. Com
plaints from consumers often
mention the difficulty of re
moving eggs from the carton.
Right or wrong, the consumer
believes sticking to the carton
we are
work and
ROHRERSTOWN, PA.
If 5 percent of the eggs arc damage may be greater among
removed due to damaged shells eggs with weak shells; however,
and have to be marketed as not all damage is confined to
cracked eggs, the blend price to eggs with weak shells. Another
the producer could be reduced consideration is that shell dam
as much as one cent per dozen age increases with the age of
at a time when there is a 20 cent the flock. This may be related
per dozen difference Between to egg size which also increases
the price of large and checked as age of layers increases. In.
eggs. One-cent per dozen dif- one study, it was pointed out
ference may mean the margin that incidence of shell damage
between profit and loss increased as the age of layers
There is no magic remedy for increased. At 38 weeks of age,
reducing egg shell damage. The 1.2 percent of the eggs had dam
problem requires attention to aged shells, while at 78 weeks of
ON THIS
196
*/£
«-. /£*’,/,, [<
K
-
.#•
.'•'32s-
many details. It involves eon
means the egg shell Is broken, tinued surveillance of egg hand-
Even though the shell is not n n g from the hen to the eon
broken when the eggs arc pur- s umcr. There is no single fac
chased, breakage may occur tor w j,i c h can be blamed as the
when the eggs arc removed chief cause of egg shell damage,
from the carton. True, the incidence of egg shell
i
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i-i
Lancaster Farming. Saturday. November 22.1969—5
; K
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lay, 4.3 percent had damaged
shells.
As the mechanical handling
of eggs fiom hen to consumer
increases, added precautions
must be taken to keep shell
damage at a minimum. With
mechanical handling, eggs are
usually subject to more stresses,
including bumping, than with
proper hand operations. This
will vaiy among systems. The
same is true with processing. As
we mechanize, there is addition
al opportunity for malfunction
of the equipment which can in
crease the quantity and propor
tion of damaged shells.
This means keeping equip
ment and repair, minimizing the
stress applied to eggs as they
move or are conveyed over the
equipment. Unfortunately, it ap
pears that adverse handling of
eggs may not show up as dam
aged shells until later in the
marketing channel Also, shell
damage may occur after cand
ling and the cause go unnotic
ed.
Perhaps more frequent In
spection of eggs after packing
should be made, to determine
the percent of eggs which are
checked This would help in
determining and correcting
causes of shell damage before
the problem becomes too se
vere.
Correcting shell damage
problems can be a dificult task
and is a responsibility of all seg
ments of the industry. It in
volves starting with adequate
shell strength Then handling
techniques must be such as to
minimize shell damage.
In today’s never - ending
search for ways to reduce egg
processing and marketing costs,
there is a tendency to speed up
operations and increase produc
tivity in order to reduce costs.
Speeding up machinery can re
sult in increased breakage. This
raises the question whether in
creasing machine speed above
optimum levels really reduces
costs of processing eggs.
Unfortunately all eggs in
consumer packs are not free of
shell damage. This may be an
other factor which may retard
egg consumption.
A Light Weight
Chain Sow With
Power To Spare . . .
640
Solo 640 offers these
outstanding features
• Extremely low vibration.
O 4.1 cubic inch
displacement.
• Weighs only 12 lb. 2 oz.
without attachments.
• Easy to dismantle.
• Automatic oiling.
• Ball and roller bearings
throughout.
• Tillotson HS Series
carburetor.
• Bosch ignition system.
SPECIAL SALE PRICES
NOW IN EFFECT
SOLD AND SERVICED BY
LESTER A.
SINGER
RONKS, Pa. 687-6712