Sekeroglu, A.Senturk, Y. E.Tainika, B.Duman, M.Akyol, A.2024-11-072024-11-0720241516-635X1806-9061https://doi.org/10.1590/1806-9061-2024-1902https://hdl.handle.net/11480/14405This study determined the effect of layer age, egg-laying time, cage tier, and cage direction (outward-inward) on egg quality parameters of commercial layer chickens reared in enriched cages. A total of 944 layers (approximately 100 eggs every four weeks, from the 26 to the 58th week) obtained from Lohmann LSL-Classic layers reared at the Nigde Omer Halisdemir University Ayhan & Scedil;ahenk Agricultural Application and Research Centre were analyzed. Laying hen age significantly affected all the egg quality variables (p<0.01). Egg weight, shell-breaking strength, egg surface area, Haugh unit, and yolk color score differed across egg-laying time (p<0.05; p<0.01). There was variability in all the external egg quality traits among the cage tiers (p<0.05), but not for internal egg quality (p>0.05). Furthermore, it was found that cage direction had a significant effect on egg weight, shell thickness, egg surface area, and all the internal egg quality traits, except for yolk color score (p<0.05; p<0.01). In conclusion, our results highlight significant changes in egg quality traits due to layer age, egg-laying time, cage tier, and cage direction.eninfo:eu-repo/semantics/openAccessLaying hensenriched cage systemegg quality traitsegg-laying timecage positioningArticle26210.1590/1806-9061-2024-19022-s2.0-85199178480Q3WOS:001267017300005N/A