C24—Lancaster Farming, Saturday, May 16,1981
Genetically superior hens reduce egg breakage losses
PENN STATE - Poultry
scientists at Penn State have
developed genetically superior
hens to help poultrymen reduce
losses of some $250 mihon annually
from egg breakage.
Directing the research still
underway is Edward G. Buss,
professor of poultry science at
University Park. Buss and
associates have developed hens
with the genetic ability to produce
either high or low shell quality—to
use in comparisons.
“Improved shell quality through
genetic selection would require
only maintenance of the desired
shell strength through breeding
techniques,” Buss stated.
Poultrymen know, he said, that
egg shell quality normally declines
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during 14 months of laying.
However, even after 14 months,
hens in the better genetic line
produced stronger shells than the
hens of the lower quality genetic
line.
Buss reported that shell
breakage in some flocks exceeds 10
percent of the eggs laid. Eggs with
high shell quality can best
withstand damage from laying
cages, egg conveyor belts and
processing equipment, and han
dling of cartons.
He said eggs with high shell
quality have 10 percent or more of
their weight m the shells. Shell
weight may vary from a high of 11
percent to less than seven percent.
When the percent shell is below
nine, there is a noticeable increase
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in breakage. Losses become
critical below 8.5 percent shell
weight.
“The results of our experiments
indicate that it is important to start
with hens producing eggs with high
shell quality, above 10 percent of
the egg in shell weight, if an ac
ceptable level of shell quality is to
IMMEDIATE
DELIVERY
be maintained over a 14-month
laying period,” Buss affirmed.
The findings suggest, he said,
that hens in the genetic line
producing high shell quality are
superior at absorbing calcium
from the intestinal tract.
“When the diet is deficient in
calcium, these same hens produce
ten:
for you and good for your budget
poorer quality shells,” he stated.
Attempts were made a
University Park to improve shel
quality by feeding a diet containing
5 percent calcium in place of tin
3.5 percent calcium in a standan
diet for hens. The results showec
no significant change for hens witi
high or low shell quality.