Poultry Judging Practice Test

An egg shell with a fine hairline crack, but with the membrane intact and contents not leaking, is an example of what type of exterior defect?

1. Superficial crack

2. Hairline defect

3. Class A defect

4. Severe defect

The correct answer is: Superficial crack

A fine hairline crack in an eggshell, where the membrane remains intact and the contents are not leaking, falls into the category of a superficial crack. This type of defect is characterized by its minimal impact on the structural integrity of the egg; while the crack is present, it does not compromise the contents or pose a risk of spoilage. Superficial cracks are often considered less serious than other types of defects since they do not allow air or bacteria into the egg. The classification of defects helps in evaluating the egg's quality for grading and selling purposes, where superficial cracks may be downgraded but not considered severely defective. In contrast, hairline defect is a more general term without specific grading criteria, while class A defect typically involves no defects at all, and severe defect indicates significant issues that can affect the egg's usability. Thus, the classification as a superficial crack accurately captures the nature of the defect described.