4H Poultry Judging:Class I - Interior Egg Quality

UGA Extension

25 Jan 201202:20

Summary

TLDRThis video provides a detailed guide on 4-H Poultry Judging, focusing on egg quality assessment through candling. It explains how to properly candle eggs by examining the air cell size and detecting blood or meat spots. Eggs are graded based on air cell depth: Grade AA eggs have a small air cell, Grade A eggs have a slightly larger one, and Grade B eggs have an even larger air cell. It also discusses how storage affects air cell size and the presence of blood spots. The video concludes with tips on identifying inedible eggs and emphasizes the importance of practice.

Takeaways

😀 Properly candle an egg by placing the large side into the light aperture to clearly view the air cell.
😀 Never turn the egg on its side when candling, as it prevents clear observation of the air cell.
😀 A Grade AA egg has a small air cell, typically 1/8-inch or less in depth.
😀 To grade an egg, spin it while observing the yolk for blood or meat spots; if none are found, grade it based on the air cell size.
😀 An egg with an air cell between 1/8-inch and 3/16-inch in depth is graded as Grade A.
😀 Students should practice measuring the air cell depth with a ruler to accurately judge egg quality.
😀 Longer storage of eggs leads to a larger air cell, which may downgrade the egg's grade.
😀 A Grade B egg has an air cell larger than 3/16-inch in depth.
😀 Dirt on the surface of the egg shell may look like a blood spot but does not move when spun, so it doesn't affect the grade.
😀 Blood spots smaller than 1/8-inch in length result in a Grade B egg, while larger blood spots make the egg inedible.

Q & A

What is the first step in properly candling an egg?
-The first step is to place the large side of the egg straight into the aperture, where the light is coming out. This allows the air cell to be visible.
Why should you not turn the egg on its side when candling?
-You should not turn the egg on its side because you would not be able to see the air cell, which is an important factor in grading the egg.
What is a key indicator of a Grade AA egg?
-A key indicator of a Grade AA egg is the air cell being very small, typically 1/8-inch or less in depth.
How should you check for blood or meat spots in an egg?
-You should spin the egg while holding it up to the aperture and watch the yolk move around. This will help you spot any blood or meat spots inside the egg.
How is the grade of an egg determined once you confirm there are no blood or meat spots?
-Once you confirm there are no blood or meat spots, the egg is graded based on the size of the air cell. The larger the air cell, the lower the grade.
What air cell depth defines an A Grade egg?
-An A Grade egg has an air cell depth between 1/8-inch and 3/16-inch.
What causes the air cell to grow larger in an egg?
-The air cell grows larger as the egg sits in storage, causing air to seep into the egg.
How do you grade an egg with an air cell larger than 3/16-inch?
-An egg with an air cell larger than 3/16-inch is graded as a Grade B egg.
What is the significance of a blood spot in an egg's grading?
-A blood spot smaller than 1/8-inch in length makes the egg a Grade B egg. A blood spot larger than 1/8-inch makes the egg inedible.
What is the difference between a blood spot and dirt on an egg?
-A blood spot is a red or dark spot inside the egg, while dirt on the surface of the shell does not move when the egg is spun. Dirt does not affect the egg's grade unless it interferes with other criteria.