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Background The chicken egg is a food product with a rich content of nutrients, such as proteins, vitamins, lipids, and minerals with high bioavailability. Furthermore, eggs are easy to prepare and a relatively inexpensive component of the human diet. The aim of this study was to compare the quality of eggs from an organic and a conventional farm and their content of Na and K. Methods The research material consisted of eggs from laying hens reared in two different systems - organic (according to standards for organic farming and with access to a chicken run) and cage. Forty eggs from each group were analysed. Egg quality traits were divided into destructive and non-destructive. In addition, potassium (K) and sodium (Na) contents were determined in the whole egg, yolk and albumen. Results The research results indicated slightly better quality of eggs from organic farming compared to eggs from cages in the case of most physical properties. The data clearly show that the content of sodium and potassium in the albumen, yolk and whole egg was higher in the eggs of chickens raised organically compared to the eggs of chickens reared in cages (P ≤ 0.05). Conclusions The research results indicate a slightly better quality of eggs from the organic farm compared to eggs from cages in the case of most physical properties, as well as the content of macro-elements. Eggs in both systems are produced following scientific management practices. There are many myths among consumers regarding the nutritional quality of eggs produced in different systems. This information can be useful for raising awareness among consumers selecting eggs.

BACKGROUND Eggs have been considered an important component of the human diet for centuries. There is currently a wide assortment of eggs available to consumers, varying in terms of weight (from S to XL), housing system (0 to 3), diet, packaging, etc. Although the egg’s nutritional value is most important to consumers, their perceptions are unfortunately generally based not on facts, but on popular opinion. Most commercial lines of laying hens used in Poland are of foreign origin. However, some farms use commercial lines from Polish breeding farms. Therefore, research was undertaken to determine selected characteristics of eggs obtained from hens of different origins raised in an intensive system, i.e. industrial production of eggs. METHODS The research material consisted of eggs from Hy-Line Brown and Messa 43 hens from large-scale production. The eggs were obtained from hens at the ages of 35, 40 and 45 weeks. The analysis included selected external and internal characteristics of eggs laid during the study period. The eggs were evaluated immediately after laying, and the following quality parameters were determined: egg weight, shell weight, shell thickness, white weight, yolk weight, and pH of white and yolk. Chemical analysis of dry matter, total protein, crude fat and crude ash content in the whites and yolks was performed. The cholesterol content and fatty acid profile in the yolk were analysed as well. A statistical analysis of the results was performed. RESULTS The analyses revealed significant differences in the weight and morphological composition of eggs depending on the genotype of the hens. Compared to eggs obtained from Hy-Line Brown hens, eggs from Messa 43 hens had significantly lower shell thickness, greater weight between 35 and 45 weeks of age, a larger proportion of shell, and a smaller proportion of albumen. Yolks and whites of eggs from Hy-Line Brown hens contained significantly more dry matter and total protein than those of Messa43 chickens, while the cholesterol content in the yolks of both groups was similar. The fatty acid profile of the egg yolk was similar irrespective of the origin of the hens. CONCLUSIONS Significant differences in egg weight and the parameters of morphological components of eggs were found between the experimental groups. Genotype did not influence cholesterol content or the fatty acid profile in the yolk.

The aim of this study was to assess the reproductive parameters of privately bred ring-necked parakeets (Psittacula krameri). The study was carried out in an amateur breeding facility in the Masovian voivodeship in 2013–2017. Observations were carried out on four pairs of ring-necked parakeets kept year round in outdoor aviaries. The analysis was based on the following indicators: number of eggs laid, number of chicks hatched, and number of chicks reared from two broods each year. The reproductive parameters of the pairs of ring-necked parakeets were varied. There were marked differences between individual pairs of birds concerning both the number of eggs in the clutch and the number of chicks reared. Most pairs reared two broods each year. In the first year of observation, the birds reared eight chicks from 13 laid eggs, while in the last year of data collection they reared 11 chicks from 16 eggs.

The aim of this study was to analyze the biological components of eggs as well as lysozyme activity in relation to the age of hens. The research material consisted of eggs from parent stock of Ross 308 meat chickens. The eggs were evaluated at peak laying, i.e. eggs from 30-week-old hens, and after peak laying, i.e. from hens aged 60 weeks. Ninety eggs were evaluated in each period (180 eggs in total). Egg quality traits were divided into destructive and nondestructive traits. In addition, lysozyme activity in the albumen of the eggs was assessed. The quantitative characteristics of the eggs were found to increase with the age of the hens, with a smaller proportion of albumen and a larger of yolk. Egg weight, egg shape index, albumen and yolk weight, and air cell depth were increased with the hen?s age. The eggshell qualitative traits were changed with the hen?s age. Analyses showed that the shell weight and color of shells increased with the decrease of the density and strength of this element. In eggs from older hens marbled shells and pimples were found significantly more frequently. The lysozyme activity in the egg albumen also changed with the age of the hens. The activity of this enzyme was higher in the eggs of older hens.

The aim of the research was to analyse the effect of the housing system on selected reproductive traits of parental stock of Ross 308 meat chickens. The study was conducted on two flocks, one of which was kept in a chicken house on a concrete floor entirely covered with litter, and the second in a chicken house in which one-third of the floor was a plastic slated floor and the other two-thirds was a concrete floor covered with litter. During the 38-week laying period, an average of 179.7 eggs were obtained from laying hens kept in the chicken house with a litter floor, including 168.2 hatching eggs, and 187,4 and 175.6 eggs, respectively, from hens kept in the chicken house with a slatted/litter floor (differences not statistically confirmed). The housing system non-significantly influenced feed intake and the number of eggs laid depending on where they were laid (inside or outside the nest). In the litter system, eggs outside the nest accounted for 3.1% and in litter/slatted floor system 9.8% of the total number of eggs laid; the differences were statistically non-significant.

The present study was conducted to evaluate some parameters of external and internal egg quality of some pure dual chicken breeds. A total of 500 eggs (100 eggs from each breed) were collected to study for egg (weight, shape index), albumen (weight, percentage), yolk (weight, percentage) and shell (weight, percentage, thickness, strength) quality. The eggs were analysed in the laboratory of Department of Poultry Science and Small Animal Husbandry of Slovak University of Agriculture in Nitra. The results showed that the egg weight and egg length of New Hampshire were significantly higher (P 0.05). Differences in albumen weight, albumen percentage, yolk weight and yolk percentage of tested dual chicken breeds were statistically no significant (P>0.05). Albumen height was significantly higher (P 0.05) in egg shell thickness and strength.