Eggs

Question 1

How long does egg development in a chicken take?

Answer 1

24-26 hours

Question 2

What reproductive structures are involved in egg production and what do they do?

Answer 2

Infundibulum receives ovulated follicle/yolk
Magnum - egg white (albumen) develops around follicle
Isthmus - shell membrane produced
Uterus/shell gland - calcifies shell
Vagina - adds cuticle and stores egg

Question 3

Where does fertilisation take place in birds?

Answer 3

Infundibulum

Question 4

What are blood spots in eggs?

Answer 4

Small area of blood due to ovarian blood vessel rupture

Question 5

All Lion scheme eggs require what criteria to be fulfilled?

Answer 5

Must be British
Hens must have vaccination against Salmonella enteritis and typhimurium
Regular egg testing, increased hygiene controls etc

Question 6

The Lion scheme requires eggs to be stamped. Where are they stamped (in terms of at farm, at processor etc)?

Answer 6

Must be stamped on the farm

Question 7

What requires an egg to go through further processing?

Answer 7

If from infected farm

If dirty, damaged or old

Question 8

At what temperature should eggs be stored at? How long can they be stored for?

Answer 8

20 degrees c

No more than 28 days

Question 9

Eggs are classified into class A, B and C. What category would a naturally dirty shelled egg fit into?

Answer 9

Class B

Question 10

Eggs are classified into class A, B and C. What category would a washed egg fit into?

Answer 10

Class B 
(Class A doesn't allow any cleaning)

Question 11

Eggs are classified into class A, B and C. What category would an egg with shell faults or dry cracks (unbroken membranes) fit into?

Answer 11

Class C

Question 12

As egg freshness decreases, what structure in the egg gets larger?

Answer 12

Air space/cell

can be used for a rough guide to quality and age of egg

Question 13

It is compulsory for eggs sold at retail to have an individual producer code that also indicates the method of production. Name these production methods (0-3)

Answer 13

0 = organic
1 = free range
2 = barn
3 = cage

Question 14

Double yolked eggs are usually seen in what type of hens?

Answer 14

Young, highly productive hens

Question 15

What is a meat spot in an egg?

Answer 15

Small piece of body tissue in albumen

e.g. internal oviduct wall

Question 16

What is the difference between blood spots and meat spots in egg?

Answer 16

Blood spots are blood in yolk

Meat spots are tissue in albumen

Question 17

What causes watery egg whites?

Answer 17

Older birds or older eggs

Viral disease

Question 18

What can cause a green egg yolk?

Answer 18

Bird eating excess herbage

Question 19

What causes a mobile and bubbly airspace in eggs?

Answer 19

Shell structured fault or abnormality

Airspace within albumen due to ruptured inner membrane

Question 20

What can cause a ‘crinkled’ egg shell?

Answer 20

Viral diseases

Question 21

Coated shells are eggs with calcium splashing or a pink/lilac colour. What causes this?

Answer 21

Eggs remaining in shell gland for extended period

Young age flocks

Question 22

What causes rough shelled eggs?

Answer 22

2 eggs in the shell gland at the same time

Question 23

What causes pale shelled eggs?

Answer 23

Brown hens
Older hens in free range flocks
Some diseases

Question 24

Apart from poor handling, what can cause cracked eggs?

Answer 24

Inadequate egg shell