Effect of Free and Enriched Cage Systems on Egg Mineral and Fatty Acid Content

Abstract

This study focused on the effects of free and enriched cage systems on egg mineral content. The study was carried out on eggs obtained from Atak-S brown layer hybrids reared in the enriched cage system and floor litter system. Palmitic Acid (PA), Stearic Acid (SA), Oleic Acid (OA), Linoleic Acid (LA), α-Linoleic Acid (ALA) and Myristic Acid (MA) contents of the collected eggs were analysed and rearing systems were found to have no effect on these characteristics (p>0.05). In order to determine the heavy metal contents of the collected eggs, Iron (FE), Copper (CU), Zinc (ZN), Lead (PB), Cadmium (CD) and Chromium (CR) analyses were carried out. Rearing systems were found to have no effect on the heavy metal content of the collected eggs (p>0.05). Considering the results of this research, which will be a resource for studies to be carried out to increase egg quality, and considering that keeping in free-range and enriched cage systems does not cause any difference in internal egg quality, it is concluded that the enriched cage system has a similar effect on internal egg quality as the open system. However, a single genotype was considered in this study, and it would be beneficial to consider genotype differences together with breeding systems in further studies.