The Effects of Storage Duration on Nondestructive Deformation, Quasi-Static Compression Strength, Impact Fracture Strength, and Specific Gravity of Eggs from White Leghorn Hens

Three experiments were done to determine the effects of storage duration on egg shell strength. Groups of 30 to 48 eggs were stored in air in vinyl plastic bags at 10 C for up to 21 days after oviposition. Quasi-static compression fracture force, specific gravity (SG), and egg weight in air and in water tended to decrease with time, while impact fracture force tended to increase. These trends were consistent across experiments. Nondestructive deformation, however, appeared to decrease in one experiment and increase in another. The SG was lower when measured by the flotation procedure than by Archimedes’ principle. Because egg weight changed at the same rate in air and in water, the decrease in SG can be attributed to the loss in weight. The changes in compression and impact fracture strength of the eggs indicated that material and structural properties of the shell were influenced by the length of storage.