Age-related variation and multivariate analysis of internal and external egg quality traits in ISA Brown hens
Abstract
This study evaluated age-related variations in internal and external egg quality traits in ISA Brown hens raised under semi-arid Algerian conditions. Hens were assessed at two production stages: 5,977 at peak lay (25–30 weeks) and 5,430 at late lay (75–80 weeks). A total of 360 eggs were collected (180 per stage), at a rate of 30 eggs per week, randomly selected at the beginning of each week. Egg weight, shell thickness, shape index, yolk and albumen indices, Haugh units, and yolk color were measured. A one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) was used to detect age-related differences, Pearson correlation to examine interrelationships among traits, and principal component analysis (PCA) to identify general age-related patterns. Significant differences were observed between the two laying stages. Peak-lay eggs showed superior internal quality, particularly in albumen height and Haugh units, whereas late-lay eggs exhibited greater mass but reduced albumen integrity. Shell thickness and yolk shape remained relatively stable. Correlation analysis revealed stronger trait associations during peak lay, which weakened with advancing age. PCA showed contrasting age-related trends between egg size and internal quality: egg size increased with age, whereas internal quality declined, while shell- and yolk-related traits remained relatively constant. The findings of this study apply to hens up to 80 weeks of age. Further studies covering longer production cycles are recommended to determine whether these patterns persist beyond this period.
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References
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Ukwu, H. O., Ezihe, C. O., Asaa, S. K., & Anyogo, M. E. (2017). Effect of egg weight on external and internal egg quality traits of Isa Brown egg layer chickens in Nigeria. Journal of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine, 2(4), 126–132. https://doi.org/10.31248/jasvm2017.051
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Zita, L., Tůmová, E., & Štolc, L. (2009). Effects of genotype, age and their interaction on egg quality in brown-egg laying hens. Acta Veterinaria Brno, 78(1), 85–91. https://doi.org/10.2754/avb200978010085
Adeoye, A. A., Ajayi, B. A., & Olorunsola, R. (2022). Repeatability estimates and phenotypic correlations of egg quality traits of ISA Brown layers. Coast Journal of Agricultural Science and Technology. 4(1), 761-767. https://coast.oaustech.edu.ng/index.php/coast/article/view/78/80
Arulnathan, V., Turner, I., Bamber, N., Ferdous, J., Grassauer, F., Doyon, M., & Pelletier, N. (2024). A systematic review of potential productivity, egg quality, and animal welfare implications of extended lay cycles in commercial laying hens in Canada. Poultry Science, 103(4), 103475. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.psj.2024.103475
Biesiada-Drzazga, B. B., Banaszewska, D., & Kaim-Mirowski, S. B. (2022). Analysis of selected external and internal characteristics of the eggs of Hy-Line Brown hens in relation to their age. Animal Science and Genetics, 18(1), 45–56. https://doi.org/10.5604/01.3001.0015.7921
Duman, N. M., Şekeroğlu, N. A., Yıldırım, N. A., Eleroğlu, N. H., & Camcı, N. Ö. (2016). Relation between egg shape index and egg quality characteristics. European Poultry Science, 80, 1–9. https://doi.org/10.1399/eps.2016.117
Inca, J., Martinez, D., & Vilchez, C. (2020). Phenotypic correlation between external and internal egg quality characteristics in 85-week-old laying hens. International Journal of Poultry Science, 19(8), 346–355. https://doi.org/10.3923/ijps.2020.346.355
Hendrix Genetics. ISA Brown. 2016. ISA Brown cage production systems guide. https://www.isapoultry.com/en/product/isa-brown
Kim, C., Song, J., Lee, J., & Lee, K. (2014). Age-related changes in egg quality of Hy Line brown hens. International Journal of Poultry Science, 13(9), 510–514. https://doi.org/10.3923/ijps.2014.510.514
Kraus, A., & Zita, L. (2019). The effect of age and genotype on quality of eggs in brown egg-laying hybrids. Acta Universitatis Agriculturae Et Silviculturae Mendelianae Brunensis, 67(2), 407–414. https://doi.org/10.11118/actaun201967020407
Lee, J. C., Kim, S. H., Sun, C. W., Kim, C. H., Jung, S., Lee, J. H., & Jo, C. (2013). Comparison of principle components and internal quality of eggs by age of laying hens and weight standard. Korean Journal of Poultry Science, 40(1), 49–55. https://doi.org/10.5536/kjps.2013.40.1.049
Liu, Z., Sun, C., Yan, Y., Li, G., Shi, F., Wu, G., Liu, A., & Yang, N. (2018). Genetic variations for egg quality of chickens at late laying period revealed by genome-wide association study. Scientific Reports, 8(1). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-018-29162-7
Marzec, A., Damaziak, K., Kowalska, H., Riedel, J., Michalczuk, M., Koczywąs, E., Cisneros, F., Lenart, A., & Niemiec, J. (2018). Effect of hens age and storage time on functional and physiochemical properties of eggs. The Journal of Applied Poultry Research, 28(2), 290–300. https://doi.org/10.3382/japr/pfy069
Mitrović, S., Pandurević, T., Milić, V., Djekić, V., & Djermanović, V. (2010). Weight and egg quality correlation relationship in laying hens of different ages. Biotechnology in Animal Husbandry, 26(3–4), 223–231. https://aspace.agrif.bg.ac.rs/handle/123456789/2120
Molnár, A., Maertens, L., Ampe, B., Buyse, J., Kempen, I., Zoons, J., & Delezie, E. (2016). Changes in egg quality traits during the last phase of production: is there potential for an extended laying cycle? British Poultry Science, 57(6), 842–847. https://doi.org/10.1080/00071668.2016.1209738
Olawumi, S., & Ogunlade, J. (2007). Phenotypic correlations between some external and internal egg quality traits in the exotic Isa brown layer breeders. Asian Journal of Poultry Science, 2(1), 30–35. https://doi.org/10.3923/ajpsaj.2008.30.35
Padhi, M., Chatterjee, R. N., Haunshi, S., & Rajkumar, U. (2013). Effect of age on egg quality in chicken. Indian Journal of Poultry Science, 48(1), 122–125. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/281115481_Effect_of_age_on_egg_quality_in_chicken
Roberts, J. R., Chousalkar, K., & Samiullah, N. (2013). Egg quality and age of laying hens: implications for product safety. Animal Production Science, 53(12), 1291. https://doi.org/10.1071/an12345
Rotimi, E. A., Adeleke, R. A., & Gambo, D. (2022). Internal and external egg quality traits of ISA Brown layer birds raised in semi-arid region of Nigeria. Nigerian Journal of Animal Production, 49(1), 55–64. https://doi.org/10.51791/njap.vi.4225
Sarica, M., Önder, H., & Yamak, U. S. (2012). Determining the most effective variables for egg quality traits of five hen genotypes. International Journal of Agriculture and Biology, 14, 235–240. https://www.fspublishers.org/published_papers/35280_..pdf
Şekeroğlu, A., Yıldırım, A., Demirel, M., Çelik, I., & Kara, M. (2024). The impact of laying hen age, egg-laying time, cage tier, and cage direction on egg quality traits in hens in an enriched cage system. Revista Brasileira de Zootecnia, 53, e20231902. https://doi.org/10.1590/1806-9061-2024-1902
Silversides, F., & Scott, T. (2001). Effect of storage and layer age on quality of eggs from two lines of hens. Poultry Science, 80(8), 1240–1245. https://doi.org/10.1093/ps/80.8.1240
Sirri, F., Zampiga, M., Berardinelli, A., & Meluzzi, A. (2018). Variability and interaction of some egg physical and eggshell quality attributes during the entire laying hen cycle. Poultry Science, 97(5), 1818–1823. https://doi.org/10.3382/ps/pex456
SPSS Inc. (2010). PASW Statistics 18. SPSS Inc., Chicago, Illinois
Udeh, I., Akporhuarho, O. P., & Matthew, E. F. (2021). Egg quality characteristics of three strains of layer chickens, a principal component analysis. Journal of TheIndonesian Tropical Animal Agriculture, 47(1), 29–34. https://doi.org/10.14710/jitaa.47.1.29-34
Ulbad, T. P., & Andre, T. (2024). Factors affecting egg quality and functional properties. International Journal of Advanced Research, 12(08), 1235–1250. https://doi.org/10.21474/ijar01/19366
Ukwu, H. O., Ezihe, C. O., Asaa, S. K., & Anyogo, M. E. (2017). Effect of egg weight on external and internal egg quality traits of Isa Brown egg layer chickens in Nigeria. Journal of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine, 2(4), 126–132. https://doi.org/10.31248/jasvm2017.051
Vekić, M., Savić, Đ., & Jotanović, S. (2022). Phenotypic correlations between egg quality traits amid the laying phase of broiler breeder hens. Contemporary Agriculture, 71(1–2), 13–19. https://doi.org/10.2478/contagri-2022-0003
Zita, L., Tůmová, E., & Štolc, L. (2009). Effects of genotype, age and their interaction on egg quality in brown-egg laying hens. Acta Veterinaria Brno, 78(1), 85–91. https://doi.org/10.2754/avb200978010085
Published
2025-12-28
How to Cite
Amireche, D., Arzour-Lakehal, N., & Belagoune, A. (2025). Age-related variation and multivariate analysis of internal and external egg quality traits in ISA Brown hens . Revista De La Facultad De Agronomía De La Universidad Del Zulia, 43(1), e264303. Retrieved from https://produccioncientificaluz.org/index.php/agronomia/article/view/44999
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Animal Production
Copyright (c) 2026 Douaa Amireche, Nedjoua Arzour-Lakehal, Asma Nour El Houda Belagoune
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