Variations in the amounts of thick and thin albumen in hen's eggs with the age of the bird

Abstract

1. The partition of the egg into shell, yolk, thick and thin albumen has been determined for eggs from pullets, 1-year-old hens and hens aged 6–10 years.2. The proportion of thick albumen increased, and that of the thin albumen decreased, with advancing age of the hen.3. It is suggested that these observations may be explained by the action of one or more of the following agencies: an increase in the amount of ovomucin relative to the amount of albumen; an impairment of the adrenal function; and a reduction of the period of time spent by the egg in the shell gland.