Non-destructive measurements of egg parameters and quality characteristics

Non-destructive methods for assessing egg quality are used in the egg industry and in research on avian embryogenesis, incubation, selection programmes, genetics etc. According to the purpose for which they are being used, nondestructive methods have to meet certain requirements - rapid estimation of the results in the case of industrial use and high significance when used in research. In both cases minimum measurement of the initial parameters is preferable. In this review methods are considered that allow calculation of such egg variables as volume, surface area, shell weight, shell volume, shell density and thickness; weight, volume and density of egg contents; yolk and albumen weights; Haugh unit score and consistency of the interior; and strength characteristics of an egg that keep it intact.