Seasonal Variations in Egg Quality and Yolk Cholesterol in Backyard and Cage Rearing Chicken

Abstract

A study was conducted to compare the external and internal egg quality traits, egg composition and yolk cholesterol levels in the eggs of range reared rural birds, to that of urban backyard and commercial cage layer eggs. The rural, urban range and backyard reared birds laid 22–25% smaller eggs as compared to the commercial layer. Furthermore, commercial layers eggs contained higher albumen (62%) and lower yolk (23–28%) when compared with eggs of urban backyard raised birds (55% albumen and 35% yolk). From the above results, it is concluded that total cholesterol in the egg and cholesterol level/g yolk of the range reared rural (180 g and 13.4 g) and urban backyard birds (187 g and 13 g ) were lower when compared to that of commercial layer eggs.(207 g and 14 g). . Eggs laid during the monsoon season had lower cholesterol level than those laid during summer. Hence it is inferred based on this study that an intake of cholesterol is comparatively less with consumption of eggs from range reared rural birds.