Comparison of Performance, Egg Quality, and Yolk Fatty Acid Profile in Two Turkish Genotypes (Atak-S and Atabey) in a Free-Range System

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İpek A., Sözcü A.

ANIMALS, cilt.11, ss.1-15, 2021 (SCI-Expanded)

  • Yayın Türü: Makale / Tam Makale
  • Cilt numarası: 11
  • Basım Tarihi: 2021
  • Doi Numarası: 10.3390/ani11051458
  • Dergi Adı: ANIMALS
  • Derginin Tarandığı İndeksler: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Scopus, Academic Search Premier, Agricultural & Environmental Science Database, CAB Abstracts, EMBASE, Veterinary Science Database, Directory of Open Access Journals
  • Sayfa Sayıları: ss.1-15
  • Bursa Uludağ Üniversitesi Adresli: Evet

Özet

Consumer interest in buying eggs from animal welfare-friendly systems with outdoor

access is increasing, leading to an increase in the need for knowledge on genotypes suitable for

free-range systems. Two Turkish laying hen genotypes, Atak-S (brown, n = 210) and Atabey (white,

n = 210), were reared in a free-range system from 19–72 weeks of age, and their suitability for the

system was assessed based on laying performance, egg quality, and yolk fatty acid profile. Mean

hen-day and hen-housed egg production were found to be higher in Atabey than Atak-S (p < 0.01).

The brown eggs from Atak-S hens tended to be heavier than the white eggs from Atabey hens

(p < 0.01). Brown eggs obtained from Atak-S hens had a stronger shell structure (p < 0.01), while

white eggs from Atabey hens had higher mean yolk index, albumen index, and Haugh unit than

brown eggs (p < 0.05). At 56 weeks of age, total saturated fatty acid content in yolk was higher in

white eggs than in brown eggs (p < 0.01). These findings related to genotype could help free-range

egg producers in their choices for more profitable production and for meeting consumer demands on

egg quality and egg yolk fatty acid levels.