Egg production Egg Production Laying Egg Production Collection

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Egg production

Egg production

Egg Production: Laying

Egg Production: Laying

Egg Production: Collection n In most commercial operations, eggs drop automatically from the hens’

Egg Production: Collection n In most commercial operations, eggs drop automatically from the hens’ cages to a conveyor belt below.

Egg Production: Washing n To clean and sanitize the eggs, a machine washes them

Egg Production: Washing n To clean and sanitize the eggs, a machine washes them in water more than 120º F with a special cleaning solution. If an egg is detected with dirt spots, the egg is routed back to the washer.

Egg Production: Grading n The first step in egg grading is to examine the

Egg Production: Grading n The first step in egg grading is to examine the shell for cleanliness, soundness, texture and shape. Shell color isn’t a factor in judging quality

Egg Production: Grading n All eggs must be clean to pass grading requirements, but

Egg Production: Grading n All eggs must be clean to pass grading requirements, but a small amount of staining is permitted in Grade B eggs. All eggs must have sound, unbroken shells. Eggshells with cracks or markedly unsound shells are classified as restricted eggs.

Egg Production: Grading n n Eggs are graded Grade A, AA or B based

Egg Production: Grading n n Eggs are graded Grade A, AA or B based on the quality of the shell, white and yolk and the size of the air cell. Beyond regular grading of each egg, qualitycontrol technicians randomly pull cartons off the line and check them to be sure the high-tech machinery is functioning properly and that the eggs meet the standards for grade and size. The technician grades individual eggs, checks for cracks and dirt and weighs cartons of eggs.

Egg Production: Candling n The step in grading during which the egg grader looks

Egg Production: Candling n The step in grading during which the egg grader looks inside the egg (without breaking it) to judge quality

Egg Production: Candling n Long ago, this quality check was done by holding a

Egg Production: Candling n Long ago, this quality check was done by holding a candle behind an egg.

Egg Production: Candling n Today most eggs pass on rollers over high -intensity lights,

Egg Production: Candling n Today most eggs pass on rollers over high -intensity lights, which make the interior of the egg visible. The eggs are rotated so all parts are visible. The candler checks the size of the air cell and the distinctness of the yolk outline. Imperfections such as blood spots show up in candling.

Egg Production: Candling n The contents are examined without cracking the shell. The condition

Egg Production: Candling n The contents are examined without cracking the shell. The condition of the shell, albumen and yolk are all checked. Inferior eggs are removed. In modern operations, to detect shell cracks, eggs are checked sonically. In a matter of seconds, tiny probes tap each egg 16 times and ‘listen’ for the sound it makes. A fully intact egg has a high pitch and a sustained ring. A thud indicates a crack and the egg won’t be packed.

Egg Production: Weighing/Sizing n Eggs are sorted according to minimum weight per dozen. There

Egg Production: Weighing/Sizing n Eggs are sorted according to minimum weight per dozen. There is only a threeounce difference per dozen between each two different sizes of eggs, so weight accuracy is important.

Egg Sizes Minimum per dozen Size Weight in oz/dozen Jumbo 30 Extra Large 27

Egg Sizes Minimum per dozen Size Weight in oz/dozen Jumbo 30 Extra Large 27 Large 24 Medium 21 Small 18 Peewee 15

Egg Production: Packing n n Automated machines sort eggs into separate lines by grade

Egg Production: Packing n n Automated machines sort eggs into separate lines by grade and size, for instance, Grade-A Large. To minimize breakage, eggs are packed in fiber or foam cartoons. Each carton is printed with the appropriate grade and size. Lasers burn onto the cartons either an expiration or sell-by date for the stores or a best-by or use-by date for consumers. Sensors guide computercontrolled robotic arms to pick up the cartons on each line, turn them and fill a case.

Egg Production: Packing

Egg Production: Packing

Egg Production: Cooling n In a warehouse, pallets containing packed cases of eggs are

Egg Production: Cooling n In a warehouse, pallets containing packed cases of eggs are refrigerated. To maintain egg quality, the temperature of the eggs is lowered to 45º F.

Egg Production: Shipping n From the warehouse, eggs are loaded into refrigerated trucks for

Egg Production: Shipping n From the warehouse, eggs are loaded into refrigerated trucks for delivery to stores or chain warehouses. Most eggs reach the supermarket a few days after being laid.

Egg Production: Selling n n Stores keep eggs refrigerated to maintain quality. In addition

Egg Production: Selling n n Stores keep eggs refrigerated to maintain quality. In addition to regular, generic eggs, most stores offer a variety of specialty eggs, including nutrient enhanced, pasteurized , organic and vegetarian eggs. As a consumer choice, a small number of producers also sell eggs from hens raised cage-free or free-range hens