Avaliação da qualidade de ovos de galinha do Semi-árido paraibano.

Abstract

The objective of this work was to evaluate zootechical indexes for laying hens located in Paraiba’s semi-arid. It was used 34.500 hens with different ages among 32, 50, 60 and 71 weeks, which were accommodated in four poultry houses. The productive indexes (total production of eggs, egg weight, albumen weight, egg yolk’s weight, and rinds’ weight), geometric parameters (area and volume) and Haugh’s unit of egg were evaluated in function of hens’ age. The hens’ age influenced in the indexes of total production, egg weight and also yolk’s egg weight. The highest production of eggs was obtained to youngest birds. On the other hand, egg weight and the yolk’s egg weight were obtained to oldest birds. The geometric parameters (volume and area) were not influenced by hens’ age. The best evaluated hens’ eggs were that had between 32 and 50 weeks.