Comparison of egg quality between creole hens (Gallus domesticus) and guinea fowl (Numida meleagris) in Huaura, Peru

Kler-Falcón M.J.; García-Alejos R.M.F.; Quispe-Apolinario G.V.; Romero-Quispe J.L.; Sotelo-Valverde J.S.; Vega-Vilca J.F.; Macavilca E.A. · Revista de Investigaciones Veterinarias del Peru (2024) · DOI: 10.15381/rivep.v35i6.27697

Resumen

The aim of the study was to evaluate the external and internal quality of eggs from domestic hens (Gallus domesticus) and guinea fowl (Numida meleagris) reared in a semi-extensive system in the countryside of Huaura, Peru. In total, 23 freshly laid eggs from domestic hens and 30 from guinea fowls were acquired from the area of the study. The weight of the egg, albumen, yolk and shell, the largest and smallest diameter of the egg, the thickness of the shell and the height of the white were recorded, the colour of the yolk was described in the CieL*a*b* colour space. In addition, the total colour difference and the yellowing index were calculated. The guinea fowl egg was different from that of the domestic hen in egg weight, albumen, yolk, shell, percentage of albumen, percentage of shell, yolk/albumen ratio, shell thickness and Haugh units (p<0.01). The yolk percentage and shape index did not show differences between the egg types (p>0.05). In the yolk colorimetry, the parameter a* and the yellowing index were higher in the guinea fowl egg (p<0.01). The total colour difference in favour of the guinea fowl egg was 8.56. The guinea fowl egg has a thicker shell, has a yolk with a more intense yellow colour and due to its higher yolk/albumen ratio it shows better characteristics for the food industry. ©Los autores.

Instituciones: Universidad Nacional José Faustino Sánchez Carrión