Strain Differences in Egg Yolk Pigmentation

Abstract Two experiments were conducted to evaluate egg yolk pigmentation from eggs produced by 12 commercial laying strains of hens housed in both floor and cage conditions. Eggs were obtained from the Florida Poultry Evaluation Center, Chipley, Florida, during the 4th (experiment 1) and 10th (experiment 2) 28-day production periods of the 23rd Performance Evaluation. Egg yolk pigmentation was evaluated using reflectance colorimetry. Significant differences in dominant wavelength, excitation purity and luminosity were found between the twelve strains. Egg yolks from several strains were more highly pigmented regardless of housing conditions; however, yolks from several other strains appeared to vary with the housing condition.