Effect of shed temperature on morphology, internal quality and shell characteristics of eggs in poultry production

AbstractThe study investigated the effects of shed temperature on egg morphology, internal quality and shell characteristics in Kadaknath hens to determine the optimal thermal conditions for superior egg production. The study housed 80 Kadaknath layers in a deep litter system within controlled shed temperature ranges of 10°C to 35°C. Egg parameters such as weight, dimensions, shell quality, and internal composition were analysed monthly. The results showed that moderate shed temperatures (20°C to 25°C) optimized egg weight (45.7 g), shell thickness (0.357m.m.), yolk height (19.9m.m.) and yolk diameter (46.4 mm). Higher temperatures (30°C to 35°C) reduced shell thickness (3.92m.m.) and increased internal defect scores (3.48%), indicating heat stress. The yolk-to-albumen ratio remained consistent (~76.7%) across all the temperature ranges, while shell strength peaked at 3.15 kgf at higher temperatures showed in increased mineralization. These findings underscore the importance of maintaining moderate shed temperatures to enhance egg quality and minimize production losses due to environmental stress. The study bridges a critical knowledge gap in Kadaknath poultry management and provides actionable insights for optimizing environmental conditions in layer production systems.