As outdoor systems become more important,
their effects on egg characteristics (external
and internal) need to be clear. Another
factor influencing egg quality is layer age
(Lapa˜o et al., 1999; Silversides and Scott,
2001) and changes in egg quality with advancing
age may be dependent on environmental
circumstances, such as housing conditions.
The aim of the current study was to describe
the effects of housing systems (cages vs outdoor
system) and layer age on external and internal
egg characteristics.