Avian Production Management

EGG QUALITY - SHAPE

• The usual egg shape is "ovate". The shape of the egg plays a major role in packing and transport.
• The normal shape of an egg can be marred due to diseases like Ranikhet and Infectious Bronchitis. Too small or too large eggs are discarded in the farm itself.
• Egg shape is expressed as "Shape index'. Here the process is to measure the maximum length of the egg using a vernier caliper and also the average width of the egg measured in two places. It is measured to an accuracy of 1mm and the shape index is arrived at by using the formula.

• A normal egg will have a shape index of 72 (Range 70-74).
• Egg which is spherical in shape will have a shape index of 75 and above; such of those eggs which are elongated/ elliptical will have lesser shape index of 70. These eggs which do not fall into the normal range of the shape index cannot be used for hatching.