Relationship between the shell membrane‐shell bond and shell deformation in hens’ eggs

Abstract

1. The influence of the shell membranes on shell strength was studied in 21 Single Comb White Leghorn eggs.

2. Shell deformation and shell thickness were plotted for each egg and the regression line was calculated. The difference between the observed shell deformation and that predicted by the regression line was calculated for each egg and this distance, with changed sign, was called the shell deformation index.

3. The force needed to separate the shell membranes from a 10 mm wide strip of the shell was determined by a tensile testing machine and was termed attachment strength.

4. The correlation between shell deformation index and attachment strength was highly significant (r=0.88, P<0.0005). Thus the shell membranes contribute to shell strength, probably by serving as a reinforcement of the crystalline part of the shell.