Cover
Volume 7, Special Issue 4 (2026)

Published: August 25, 2026

Pages: 44-50

Research Article

Assessment egg quality parameters in the morning and evening for Local and commercial chicken breeds in Kurdistan

Rayan S. Qasm 1 Hurea S. Abdulrazaq 1
1Animal Production and Health Department, Agriculture Engineering Sciences College, Salahaddin University, Erbil, Iraq
History
  • Received: June 13, 2026
  • Available Online: August 25, 2026
DOI

https://doi.org/10.56967/ejfb2026917

Abstract

Eggs are a vital food source, rich in protein, vitamins, and minerals. However, egg safety has become a subject of debate. This study aimed to determine the quality standards of eggs collected in the morning and evening from local and commercial chicken breeds in Kurdistan. A total of 240 eggs were collected for quality measurements. 120 eggs were collected from local hens and 120 from commercial hens, with 60 eggs collected in the morning and 60 in the evening for each breed. The weight of the morning eggs was significantly higher from local hens. In commercial hens, significant differences (p<0.05) were observed in egg weight and shell weight. Significant differences (p<0.05) were also observed between local and commercial hens in egg weight, length, shell weight, and thickness. Eggs collected in the morning from local hens showed a significant advantage (p<0.05) in albumin weight, albumin index, and yolk percentage. For commercial chickens, significant differences (p<0.05) were observed in a greater proportion of egg quality characteristics based on whether the eggs were collected in the morning or evening. Specifically, significant differences (p<0.05) were found in albumin height, albumin weight, albumin percentage, albumin index, Howe unit, yolk width, and yolk weight. A statistically significant increase in the number of blood spots was also observed in evening eggs compared to morning eggs in both local and commercial breeds. However, no significant difference was observed between the two breeds. Therefore, it can be concluded that morning eggs have a higher nutritional value than evening eggs.

Keywords

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