August 18, 2012

Calcium Carbonate-Protein-Encapsulated-Fat

In other words, EGGS.


I’ve been working in one of the largest broiler integrator in the Philippines, Bounty Fresh since 2003 under the feed milling division. I would like to share something in one of our end products (not the feeds, maybe next time) in the market, EGGS.

What about eggs? Do you know how they classify eggs according to sizes?

Egg sizes are classified according to its weight. Every country has its own eggweight classifications, and for every country, every company has its own standards too. Just like ours, we did not follow the common standards of eggs according to its weight.

We have nine (9) different classifications of egg sizes. Please bear with me if I will not state the different weight for each classification due to confidentiality purposes.

Super Jumbo-Jumbo-Extra Large-Large-Medium-Small-Peewee-Pullets-Spoiled


For some, this is the first time they will hear Peewee (not the chichiria one) and Pullet eggs. These two eggs has the same explanation why it appeared in laying hens. They just differ in weight.

Many knew that these eggs were laid by roosters or pigeons. In fact, these were still laid by hens since roosters does not lay eggs.These are the first batch of eggs by first time laying hens or what they called "pullets". One factor that can affect the laying of such small eggs is the body weight of the hens. Even they are sexually matured, but underweight, they have a great chance of laying peewee or pullet eggs. Such egg types are not seen in groceries but commonly found in local markets while some were delivered to bakeries or egg powder factories.

From the smallest let’s skip to the large one, Jumbo or Super Jumbo. These eggs are very large and the heaviest among the classification of eggs. Some have already two yolks in one egg shell. They are also referred as "double-yolk" eggs. 

How does it happen?

Simple. This happen when the ovulation runs faster than the normal because of unsynchronized reproductive cycle. Because of the delayed ovulation, the second yolk will catch up the first one before it was encapsulated by the albumen, membrane and the shell. Furthermore, some experts say that it is hereditary while some hybrid hens produce double yolk by default. This type of egg is best in making leche flan because you will only use few amounts of eggs but with double number of yolks. Such eggs are longer but with thinner shell.

There are also abnormal eggs but these are still edible and fit for human consumption. These abnormalities happened either in early or late stage of laying. Several factors such reproductive system, environment, nutrition and disease or infections that lead to production of such abnormalities.

One is the egg drop (not the soup) or naked eggs. This type of eggs is laid without a shell. It is called egg drop syndrome because there is a sudden drop in the production of good eggs in the farm (with shell). Disturbed environment makes the hen lay eggs before the calcification process occurs. Furthermore, one of the most common causes of the egg drop is infections.

Shell Less Eggs (Photo Source)
What are the two major contents of eggs?
The answer is simply albumin or the egg white and yolk. 

But have you heard of eggs without the yolk?

Yes, there are such kind of eggs. Like peewees and pullets, it is also believed to be laid by roosters. This is also called as “cock eggs”, while others called this as dwarf or wind eggs. Furthermore, these are commonly produced by the first time layers, but mature hens also laid such type of abnormal eggs. 

How? 

When a reproductive tissue of mature eggs breaks away, the eggs producing gland mistakenly identify this as yolk and therefore wrapped in albumen, membrane and shell.

Yolk-less Eggs (Photo Source)


Next time I will share something about the eggs produced by our company – The Specialty Eggs.