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ARS Home » Southeast Area » Athens, Georgia » U.S. National Poultry Research Center » Egg and Poultry Production Safety Research Unit » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #339639
Research Project: Evaluation of Management of Laying Hens and Housing Systems to Control Salmonella and Other Pathogenic Infections, Egg Contamination, and Product Quality

Location: Egg and Poultry Production Safety Research Unit

Title: A new turn: assessing the shape of the avian egg

Author
item Jones, Deana
item KARCHER, DARRIN - Purdue University

Submitted to: Poultry Science Association Meeting Abstract
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 5/1/2017
Publication Date: 7/17/2017
Citation: Jones, D.R., Karcher, D.M. 2017. A new turn: assessing the shape of the avian egg. Poultry Science Association Meeting Abstract. 96:89.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Determining the size, shape, and density of the avian egg has always presented a problem. The measurements require an individual’s visual perception to determine the data points. The smooth surface and ovoid shape of the shell makes using micrometers to determine shape index difficult. Placing micrometers so that the absolute maximums of length and width can be assessed varies by each individual. Historically, determining the specific density of an egg has required the egg be placed in saline solutions of known concentrations to assess at which concentration the egg ‘floats’. Again, this measurement required the visual perception of when an egg is ‘floating’. Through the adaption of a laser imaging device developed to determine the volume of baked goods, objective determination of egg shape, volume, and density can be found. In about one minute per egg, the Volscan Profiler can determine: egg length (mm), maximum width (mm), shape index, length at maximum width (mm), percent length at maximum width, volume of the shell (mL), and egg specific density while producing a 3-D image of the egg. Repeated measurement of the same egg produces less than 1% variability in measured outcomes. The egg shape and volume information from this device can be utilized by poultry breeders, producers, and processors, as well as, housing and processing equipment and egg carton manufacturers.