• Korean Journal of Poultry Science
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• v.43 no.1
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• pp.31-38
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• 2016

Consumers demand fresh and high-quality eggs. Egg quality may be represented by shell color, shell weight, egg weight, shell thickness, shell density, albumen height, yolk color, albumen pH and viscosity. Various factors such as strain, age of hen, storage temperature, humidity, the presence of $CO_2$ and storage time affect egg quality. Therefore, we investigated the effects of storage time and temperature on egg quality to define the freshness of Korean market eggs. A total of 1,800 eggs were used for this experiment and were separated into 45 treatments with 40 eggs in each. The treatments were consisted of 15 storage periods (2 d to 30 d) and 3 storage temperatures ($2^{\circ}C$, $12^{\circ}C$, $25^{\circ}C$). Each egg was weighed and broken, and the height of the thick albumen, Haugh units (HU), egg shell color and yolk color were measured by a QCM+system. We also observed the physiochemical properties of eggs such as yolk pH, albumen pH and albumen viscosity. The egg weight, shell weight, albumen height, HU and albumen viscosity significantly decreased with increasing storage time and temperature. However, the albumen and yolk pH significantly increased with increasing storage period and temperature. The interaction effects between the storage period and temperature were significant for shell weight, shell density, egg weight, albumen height, HU, yolk color, yolk pH, albumen pH and albumen viscosity. In the analysis of the correlation with egg quality, the storage temperature exhibited a higher correlation coefficient than the storage period. In conclusion, storage time and temperature are the major factors affecting egg quality, but the storage temperature is a more sensitive determinant of egg quality deterioration compared with the storage period.

• Proceedings of the Korea Society of Poultry Science Conference
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• 2004.11a
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• pp.35-36
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• 2004

A total of 1.200 eggs obtained from 312-day-old Hy-line Brown layer breeder hens and 319-day-old Hy-line Brown commercial layer hens (600 eggs obtained from each ones) were used to investigate the effects of storage period, storage temperature, and insemination of hens on the change of albumen height, Haugh unit (HU), albumen pH, shell strength, and yolk color. Eggs were stored up to 14 days after lay at $3\;^{\circ}C\;or\;10\;^{\circ}C$ and sampled one day after stored and then 24 hours interval. Longer periods of storage resulted in lower albumen height and HU at both storage temperatures, but in higher albumen pH. The eggs stored at $3\;^{\circ}C$ were generally higher in HU and lower in albumen pH than the ones stored at $10\;^{\circ}C$. There was no statistically difference although the eggs obtained from the non-inseminated-hens were slightly higher in albumen height and HU than the eggs obtained from the inseminated-hens. Whereas, the eggs obtained from the non-inseminated-hens in the albumen pH of eggs stored at $3\;^{\circ}C$ was significantly (P<0.05) higher than the ones obtained from the inseminated-hens, but the albumen pH of eggs stored at $10\;^{\circ}C$ did not differ each other. The mean shell strength of the eggs obtained from the inseminated-hens was significantly (P<0.05) stronger than that of the eggs obtained from the non-inseminated-hens at both storage temperatures. Albumen height and albumen pH were negatively correlated(P<0.01~0.001) in both inseminated and non-inseminated-hen's egg groups. The degree of yolk colors were not significantly changed overall of the experimental periods in both storage temperatures. The study suggests that the change of egg freshness such as albumen height and HU are relatively more associated with storage period and storage temperature than insemination or non-insemination of hens.

• Korean Journal of Poultry Science
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• v.31 no.4
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• pp.203-212
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• 2004

A total of 1,200 eggs obtained from 312-day-old Hy-line Brown laying breeder hens and 319-day-old Hy-line Brown commercial laying hens (600 eggs obtained from each one) at same day were used to investigate the effects of egg storage, storage temperature, and insemination of hens on the change of albumen height, Haugh unit(HU), albumen pH, shell strength, and yolk color. Eggs were stored up to 14 days after lay at $3^{\circ}C$ or $10^{\circ}C$ and sampled one day after stored and then 24 hours interval. Longer periods of storage resulted in lower albumen height and HU at both storage temperatures, but in higher albumen pH. The eggs stored at $3^{\circ}C$ were significantly (P<0.05) higher in HU and lower in albumen pH than the ones stored at $10^{\circ}C$. The eggs obtained from the non-inseminated-hens were significantly (P<0.05) higher in albumen height, HU, and albumen pH than the eggs obtained from the inseminated-hens. Whereas, the eggs obtained from the non-inseminated-hens in the mean albumen pH of eggs stored at $3^{\circ}C$ were significantly (P<0.05) higher than the ones obtained from the inseminated-hens, but the mean albumen pH of eggs stored at 10^{\circ}C did not differ each other. The mean shell strength of the eggs obtained from the inseminated-hens was significantly (P<0.05) stronger than that of the eggs obtained from the non-inseminated-hens at both storage temperatures. Albumen height and albumen pH were negatively correlated $(P<0.01\~0.001)$ in both inseminated and non-inseminated-hen's egg groups. The degree of yolk colors was not significantly changed overall of the experimental periods in both storage temperatures. The study suggests that the change of egg freshness such as albumen height and HU is relatively more associated with storage period and storage temperature than insemination or non-insemination of hens.

• Korean Journal of Poultry Science
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• v.29 no.3
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• pp.157-170
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• 2002

This experiment was conducted to investigate the change of egg qualify by the height of thick albumen of egg, storage temperature and storage period. The albumen index and Haugh unit were measured and compared among five different storage periods(0, 2, 4, 6, and 10 days), four different storage temperatures($15^{\circ}C$ , $20^{\circ}C$ , $25^{\circ}C$ and $30^{\circ}C$ ), and five different Parts(0, 3, 6, 9, and 12 mm) aparted from egg yolk. The albumen index and Haugh unit were as follows: the albumen index of eggs was significantly(P<0.01) different by the storage temperature and by the measuring position of thick albumen of eggs. It means that the albumen index can be differed by the measuring position of thick albumen even if eggs have a same qualify. For measuring egg qualify in this country, it should be announced that which Parts in thick albumen of eggs are measured. The albumen index of fresh eggs was 0.16. However, the index when measured at 3 hour after oviposition was lower than 0.16. Therefore, it indicates that the criterion of 0.06 lower than 0.16 is required to set for considering practical point during the marketing periods of eggs. When the criterion of albumen index puts 0.06, it is as 100%. Therefore, eggs can be kept the same quality for 6, 4 and 2 days when eggs were stored at $15^{\circ}C$ , $20^{\circ}C$ and 25 ~$30^{\circ}C$ , respectively. When the criterion of Haugh unit score puts 79 as 100%, the eggs can be maintained the quality for 6, 4, and 2 days when eggs are stored at $15^{\circ}C$ , $20^{\circ}C$ and 25~$30^{\circ}C$ , respectively. When the criterion of Haugh unit 55 as 100%, the eggs can be maintained the same quality for 10, 8 and 2 days when eggs are stored at $15^{\circ}C$ , $20^{\circ}C$ and 25~$30^{\circ}C$ , respectively. From the experimental results, it can be considered that calculathing egg quality by the height of thick albumin of eggs which was measured at the attachment Parts of thick albumin layer and yolk of eggs was most reasonable and suitable when considering the marketing periods of eggs.

• Korean Journal of Agricultural Science
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• v.18 no.1
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• pp.10-20
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• 1991

This study was conducted to estimate heritabilities and genetic correlations on egg compositions and egg qualities in Korean Native Ogol fowl. The data were gathered from a total of 58,320 eggs in 450 pullets produced from 150 dams and 20 sires of Korean Native Ogol fowl raised at Chungnam National University from June 18, 1987 to April 6, 1989. The results obtained are summarized as follows : 1. The heritability estimates of egg compositions based on the variance of sires, dams and combined components were 0.620 - 0.723, 0206 - 0.300 and 0.413 - 0.511 for albumen weight: 0.439 - 0.737, 0.484 - 0.544 and 0.492 - 0.615 for yolk weight: 0.172 - 0.187, 0.412 - 0.642 and 0.309 - 0.503 for shell weight, respectively. 2. The heritability estimates of egg qualities based on the variance of sires, dams and combined components were 0.202 - 0279, 0.557 - 0.819 and 0.428 - 0.508 for shell thickness : 0.202 - 0.394, 0.119 - 0.678 and 0.256 - 0.440 for albumen height : 0.108 - 0.443, 0237 - 0.698 and 0244 - 0.399 for Haught units, respectively. 3. The genetic and phenotypic correlations of egg compositions were as follows; The coefficients between albumen weight and yolk weight were 0.089 - 0.564 and 0.084 - 0.235; between albumen weight and shell weight were 0.396 - 0.925 and 0225 - 0.544; between yolk weight and shell weight were 0.220 - 0.357 and 0.098 - 0.358, respectively. 4. The genetic and phenotypic correlations of egg qualities as follows; between shell thickness and albumen height were 0.082 - 0.356 and - 0.163 - 0.060; between shell thickness and Haught units were - 0.076 - 0.167 and - 0.185 - 0.010; between albumen height and Haught units were 0.338 - 0.604 and 0.154 - 0285, respectively. 5. The genetic correlations of egg compositions and egg qualities were as follows: between albumen weight and shell thickness, albumen height. Haught units were - 0.380 - - 0.002, 0239 - 0.387, and - 0279 - - 0.127; between yolk weight and shell thickness, albumen height, Haught units were - 0.294 - - 0.133, - 0.049 - 0.133 and - 0.196 - - 0.136; between shell weight and shell thickness, albumen height, Haught units were 0.127 - 0.476, 0.140 - 0273 and 0.038 - 0223, respectively.

• Korean Journal of Poultry Science
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• v.43 no.4
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• pp.253-261
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• 2016

Egg quality is a very important factor for both consumers and producers. Factors affecting egg quality include strain and age of hens; egg storage temperature, time, and humidity; laying season; and feeding. This study aimed to determine the effect of hen age and egg storage time on egg quality. A total of 700 eggs obtained from Hyline Brown commercial layers were used for this experiment, and they were separated into two hen age groups (30 vs. 60 weeks) with eight treatments and four storage times (day 0, 10, 20, and 30). The egg weight; shell color, thickness, and density; albumen height; Haugh unit (HU); yolk color; and the yolk and albumen pH and viscosity were measured for the egg quality assessment. The results showed that the age of the hen and egg storage time significantly affected almost all parameters of the internal and external egg quality. The shell thickness, albumen height, HU, yolk color, pH of yolk and albumen, and yolk viscosity significantly decreased with increasing hen age. The egg shell color was significantly lighter in eggs from 60-week-old hens than in those from 30 weeks-old hens. The egg weight; shell weight, thickness, and density; albumen height, HU; and albumen viscosity significantly decreased, but the yolk color and pH of the yolk and albumen increased with increasing egg storage time. The interaction effects between the storage time and hen age were significant in shell thickness, albumen height, yolk color, and yolk and albumen pH and viscosity. The eggs obtained from 60-week-old hens showed significantly lower shell thickness, albumen height, and HU values, which are considered typical egg quality measurements, than values of eggs from 30-week-old hens. Therefore, increasing hen age and egg storage time caused the deterioration of egg quality. In conclusion, this study demonstrated that hen age is the major factor affecting the quality of fresh eggs, whereas the storage time is the determinant factor affecting the quality of stored eggs.

• Korean Journal of Poultry Science
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• v.25 no.3
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• pp.103-111
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• 1998

This study was carried out to estirnate the heritabilities and genetic correlations on egg shape index and internal egg qualities ; shell thickness, alburnin heights and Haugh units for breeding plan and selection in Korean native chicken. Data analyzed were the records of 46,908 eggs from 43() layers from April, 1994 to September, 1995. The egg shape index at the first egg, 300 days and 500 days of ages were 74.771, 74.468 and 73.702; the shell thickness were 0.345, 0.344 and 0. 334mm; the alburnen heights were 6.579, 6.130 and 5.318mm; the Haugh units were 86.859, 81.014 and 73.565 respectively. The heritability estimates of egg shape index and internal egg qualities based on the variance of sire, dam and combined components at 300 days of age were 0.136, 0.954 and 0.545 for egg shape index; 0.201, 0.622 and 0.421 for shell thickness; 0.410, 0.961 and 0.633 for albumen height ; 0.353, 0.962 and': 0.608 for Haugh units. The genetic correlation coefficient between shell thickness and albumen height was -0.044~0.824; 0.016~0.949 between Haugh units and shell thickness 0.313~0.941 between albumen height and Haugh units, respectively.

• Korean Journal of Organic Agriculture
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• v.24 no.1
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• pp.115-122
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• 2016

The main purpose of the current study was to compare quality of eggs 1) produced from hens housed in battery cages vs. free range, 2) from young vs. old hens, and 3) tagged with the lowest vs. the highest price in a local franchised mart. The ages of hens, at which their eggs were used for the analysis of quality, were 70 weeks old in the experiment 1, 22 and 47 weeks old in the experiment 2, and were unknown in the experiment 3. Eggs were analyzed for weight, albumen height, Haugh unit, shell color, shell strength, shell thickness, shell weight, yolk color, yolk weight, and egg white weight. In the experiment 1, significant differences were detected between two housing systems in shell color, shell weight, yolk color, and yolk weight (P<0.05), but not in egg weight, albumen height, Haugh unit, shell strength, shell thickness, and egg white weight (P>0.05). Although egg weight was slightly but not significantly higher in battery cages by 2.2 g than in free range, yolk weight was significantly higher in battery cage (P<0.05). On the contrary, shell color was greatly increased in free range system by 68.5% compared with battery cage. In the experiment 2, there were significant differences between young and old hens in egg weight, albumen height, Haugh unit, shell strength, shell weight, yolk color and yolk weight (P<0.05). Egg weight, shell weight, yolk color and yolk weight were increased in old hens than young hens while albumen height, Haugh unit, and shell strength were decreased. In the experiment 3, egg weight, albumen height, Haugh unit, shell weight, and egg white weight were significantly higher in the highest priced eggs than the lowest ones (P<0.05), whereas shell strength and yolk color were lower (P<0.05) but shell color, shell thickness and yolk weight were not different (P>0.05). So, egg freshness was clearly higher in the highest priced ones than in the lowest (P<0.05). Due to the limited information on raising and husbandry of laying hens whose eggs were tested for egg quality in the current study, the present results should be cautiously interpreted while contributing to the future study as a basis in this field.

• Korean Journal of Poultry Science
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• v.40 no.1
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• pp.49-55
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• 2013

The objective of this study was to compare the principle components and internal quality of eggs by age of laying hens and weight standard. The eggs (2,140 in total) used were from Hy-Line Brown reared from 18 to 63 weeks of ages and all were higher than appearance grade B by animal grading standard of Korea. Eggs were investigated their principle components, internal quality index, and their relationship. The weights of whole egg, shell, yolk, and albumen were increased while albumen height and Haugh unit were decreased by age of laying hens. When the composition of egg was investigated after sorting by ages, the ratio of egg yolk increased while that of albumen decreased. Egg shell composition was not shown significant difference by age. Age of laying hens had positive correlation with the weights of whole egg, shell, yolk, and albumen while albumen height and Haugh unit showed negative correlation. Also, the albumen height and Haugh unit were decreased by increase of weight of whole egg or principle components of egg.

• Korean Journal of Poultry Science
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• v.18 no.3
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• pp.197-208
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• 1991

This study was conducted to estimated the genetic and phenotypic correlations between economic traits and certain other traits in Korean Native Ogol fowl The data analysis were the record of 450 pullets bred from 150 dams and 20 sires of Korean Native Ogol fowl at Chungnam National University from June 18, 1987 to April 6, 1989. The results obtained are summarized as follows ： 1 The genetic correlation coefficients of the economic traits and body shape components were as follows ： between body weight and shank length, breast width. breast girth, tibia length were 0.210~0.788, 0.231~0.826, 0.610~0.995 and 0.096~0.503 between age at first egg and shank length, breast width, breast girth, tibia length were 0.555~0.626, 0.149~0.270, 0.370~0.445 and 0.014-0.124. between number of egg production and shank length, breast girth, tibia length were -0.446~-0.167, -0.162~-0.320, 0.076~0.336 and 0.203~0.312 ： between egg weight and shank length, breast width, breast girth, tibia length were 0.132~0.498, 0.236~0.410, 0.148~0.775 and -0.019~0.593, respectively. 2. The genetic correlation coefficients of the economic traits and egg components were as follows ： between body weight and albumen weight, yolk weight, shell weight were 0.083~0.591, 0 110~0.541 and 0.336~0.782 between age at the first egg and albumen weight, yolk weight, shell weight were 0.476-0.692, 0.265~0.631 and 0.420~0.519 between number of egg Production and albumen weight, yolk weight, shell weight were -0.578~-0.240, -0.255~-0.060, -0.477~-0.313. between egg weight and albumen weight, yolk weight, shell weight were 0.825~0.939, 0.382~0.564, 0.374~0.337, respectively. 3. The genetic correlation coefficients of the economic traits and egg qualifies were as follows ： between body weight and egg shape index, shell thickness, albumen height, Haugh units were 0.215~0.367, 0.248~0.650, 0.161~0.624, 0.157~0.449. between number of egg production and egg shape index, shell thickness, albumen height, Haugh units were -0.384~-0.207, -0.557~-0.306, -0.555~-0.198, -0.582~-0.074 between egg weight and egg shape index, shell thickness, albumen height, Haugh units were 0.276~0.697, 0.290~0.627, 0.238~0.538, -0.207-0.020, respectively. 4. The genetic correlation coefficients of egg compositions and egg qualities were as follows ： between albumen weight and egg shape index, shell thickness, albumen height and Haugh units were 0.110~0.584, -0.380~-0.002, 0.239~0.887 and -0.195~0.279 ： between yolk weight and egg shape index, shell thickness, albumen height and Haugh units were -0.204~0.160, 0.294~0.133, -0.049~0.133 and -0.196~-0 136 ： between shell weight and egg shape index, shell thickness, albumen height and Haugh units were 0.127~0.503, 0.127~0.476, 0.140~0.273 and -0.172~0.233, respectively.