Shape geometry of the avian egg

A deduced mathematical equation for the profile of an avian egg was obtained in the study. The equation adequately defined by the egg's length L, and maximum breadth B, is [GRAPHIC] in which [GRAPHIC] where x is the coordinate along the longitudinal axis and y the transverse distance to the profile. Indices of ellipticity and conicity for the calculation of the deviation of an egg from its theoretical profile, defined by the above equation are proposed. Based on the deduced mathematical equation for the egg profile, formulae for the calculation of an egg's volume, surface area, longitudinal circumference length and normal projected area are proposed, too. The experimental procedure resulted in remarkably comprehensive results for the proposed formulae application. The average error for volume calculation was nearly +/-5%. (C) 2001 Silsoe Research Institute.