Physical and chemical characteristics of eggs from eight Italian chicken breeds

Specific characteristics of the eggs from nucleus populations of Ancona (AN), Bianca di Saluzzo (BS), Bionda Piemontese (BP), Livorno, Mericanel della Brianza (MB), Mugellese (MU), Siciliana (SI) and Valdarnese (VA) chicken breeds kept in University Research Centres across Italy were evaluated. The physical characteristics considered were whole egg weight and shell, yolk and albumen proportion. The chemical characteristics considered were dry matter (DM), ash and protein content of the yolk and albumen, and the yolk fat. Among the breed groups evaluated in this study, BS and BP produce large eggs that are rich in total crude protein and lipids, with abundant egg whites. MB and MU produce small eggs with a high yolk percentage. AN and SI hens produce medium-small-sized eggs. The heaviest yolks were observed in AN eggs, and the highest shell percentage was found in SI eggs. LB and VA produce medium-large-sized eggs with low yolk lipid content.