Incidence, Cause, and Prevention of Egg Shell Breakage in Commercial Production

Abstract

Estimates for the incidence of broken eggs in commercial production range from 6 to 8% of all eggs produced. This breakage can be categorized into a number of stages, and the incidence at these stages varies. Attempts to decrease the incidence of shell breakage should be approached by studying the underlying factors that contribute to breakage under a specific situation. The factors discussed include: 1) the physiology of the bird, with emphasis on the interval between and time of oviposition, rate of shell deposition, uterine environment, and metabolism; 2) egg characteristics, with emphasis on egg shape, color, membrane, and deformities of the shell; 3) behavior, with emphasis on stance and flightiness; 4) housing equipment; 5) management; 6) environment, with emphasis on environmental temperature; 7) nutrition, with emphasis on Ca, phase feeding, and vitamin D; and 8) age and its relationship with increasing egg size and 9) genetic variation.