Factors Influencing High-Quality Chicken Eggs

Chicken egg quality is determined by several factors related to the hen’s health, diet, and living environment. The shell’s integrity is one of the primary indicators of a high-quality egg. A strong, smooth shell protects the egg’s contents from contamination and physical damage, crucial for consumer safety and egg longevity. Shell strength is influenced by the hen’s intake of calcium and other minerals. Research shows that feeding hens calcium-rich foods, such as limestone or oyster shells, significantly improves shell thickness, reducing the likelihood of bacterial contamination.

The egg white, or albumen, is another essential quality marker. Fresh, high-quality eggs feature a thick, firm albumen that holds its shape and resists spreading when cracked open. The albumen’s viscosity reflects both the freshness of the egg and the hen's overall health. Factors such as diet, age, and stress can directly affect albumen quality. A well-fed hen with a balanced diet—high in protein and micronutrients—produces eggs with firmer albumen. Studies suggest that reducing stress in hens, such as by providing more space and reducing handling, can improve egg white quality and consistency.

The yolk’s color and texture are also indicators of egg quality. A deep, vibrant yellow or orange yolk often reflects a diet rich in carotenoids, which are pigments found in green plants, corn, and alfalfa. Carotenoids are known to enhance antioxidant levels in the yolk, boosting its nutritional value. The yolk’s roundness and firmness, on the other hand, indicate freshness. A flat, pale yolk suggests a lack of dietary richness or egg aging.

Quality can also be evaluated by checking for common egg abnormalities, such as blood spots, meat spots, or double yolks. These are typically harmless but may result from genetic factors, age, or stress-related disruptions in the hen’s reproductive system.

Maintaining high egg quality requires balanced hen nutrition, clean and spacious housing, and minimal stress. These conditions support not only a hen's overall health but also the production of safe, nutritious, and high-quality eggs.
Factors Influencing High-Quality Chicken Eggs

Good quality of chicken eggs

The consumption of chicken eggs today is enormous. Chicken eggs are an expensive source of high quality protein; they are also rich in vitamins B12 and E, riboflavin, folacin, iron and phosphorus.

For several egg dishes it is important that the egg is of a good quality. Egg quality standards are based on shell cleanliness, soundness, texture, and shape; relative viscosity of the white and freedom from foreign matter; the shape, firmness and freedom from defects of the yolk.

As an egg ages the white becomes watery, the yolk is less pronounced and more to the side of the shell within the white.

Quality points to look for in fresh egg.
*The shell should be clean, a good shape and the surface slightly rough. Shells with visible soil or deep stain are not allowed in high quality programs. Furthermore, the soil usually contains a heavy population of microorganism, which may penetrate the shell and cause spoilage.

*When the place into a brine solution (100 g salt of 1 liter of water) heated to 23° C a good quality egg will float near the bottom. As the egg becomes older the air sac inside increases and the egg floats nearer the surface of the water.

*Commercially, egg are passed over a strong light which shows the placement of the yolk within the egg and the size of the air sac

*The color of the yolk fades as eggs age; the fresher the egg, the darker the yolk.

*When cracked open the yolk, the yellow color will sit in the center of the white. The white itself should be form and clear with little watery.

Eggs can be contaminated by trace amounts of pesticides from feed, so purchasing organic eggs might be desirable.

Because raw or undercooked eggs can transmit food poisoning raw cracked eggs should be discarded and eggs should be cooked thoroughly. 

Eggs should be refrigerated to prevent bacterial contamination and age-related changes.
Good quality of chicken eggs