본 연구는 산란 주령과 중량에 따른 계란의 주요 성분과 내부 품질의 변화를 확인하기 위하여 수행되었다. Hy-Line Brown 품종의 18주령에서 63주령으로부터 계란을 주령별로 약 50개씩 총 2,140개를 수거하여 난각, 난황 및 난백의 중량과 난백 높이 그리고 Haugh unit을 측정하였다. 중량 규격이 높아짐에 따라 난각, 난황 및 난백의 중량은 증가하였으나, 난백 높이와 Haugh unit은 낮아짐을 나타내었다. 또한, 산란 주령이 경과함에 따라 난황은 증가하고, 난백 비율은 감소하는 경향을 나타내었으며, 산란 주령은 난각, 난황, 난백 및 전체 계란 중량과 정의 상관관계를 보였으나, 난백 높이와 Haugh unit과는 부의 상관관계를 나타내었다. 또한 계란 중량이나 주요 구성 성분의 중량이 증가함에 따라 난백 높이 및 Haugh unit은 감소하는 것으로 나타났다.
The objective of this study was to compare the principle components and internal quality of eggs by age of laying hens and weight standard. The eggs (2,140 in total) used were from Hy-Line Brown reared from 18 to 63 weeks of ages and all were higher than appearance grade B by animal grading standard of Korea. Eggs were investigated their principle components, internal quality index, and their relationship. The weights of whole egg, shell, yolk, and albumen were increased while albumen height and Haugh unit were decreased by age of laying hens. When the composition of egg was investigated after sorting by ages, the ratio of egg yolk increased while that of albumen decreased. Egg shell composition was not shown significant difference by age. Age of laying hens had positive correlation with the weights of whole egg, shell, yolk, and albumen while albumen height and Haugh unit showed negative correlation. Also, the albumen height and Haugh unit were decreased by increase of weight of whole egg or principle components of egg.
