Effect of Production System and Age on Egg Quality Parameters: A Case of Niğde Province Çamardı District, Turkey

This study compared egg quality parameters in layers under free-range system with prefabricated pens and backyard while emphasizing hen age. A total of 300 eggs collected from prefabricated pens and backyard farming families in the Çamardı District of Niğde Province were used as study materials. The assessed external and internal egg quality characteristics included egg weight, shape index, shell thickness, shell breaking strength, albumen index, Haugh unit, yolk index, and yolk colour. The effect of production system on albumen index, Haugh unit, and yolk colour score was found statistically significant. There was a significant effect of age on shape index, shell thickness, shell breaking strength, albumen index, Haugh Unit, yolk index, and yolk colour score. The effect of interaction between age and production system was statistically significant for shape index, shell thickness, yolk index, Haugh Unit, and yolk colour score. It was determined that the egg`s meat and blood spots percentages from the free-range and backyard systems were 10.6% and 15.3%, respectively. It was concluded that while eggs produced from free-range system are superior in terms of egg weight, shape index, and Haugh unit those obtained from backyard hens are higher in eggshell thickness, eggshell breaking strength, and egg yolk colour.