Egg quality traits of local hill fowl and commercial layer stock

Abstract

Egg quality is an important factor, which affects consumer preference and economic returns from laying birds. The present study was undertaken to assess the egg quality characteristics of 2 strains of local hill fowl, viz. feathered shank, clean shanks with bunch of feathers on head and commercial layer birds. Fifty eggs from each strain were studied to estimate the egg quality traits. The average egg weight, shape index, albumin index, yolk index and haugh unit in feathered shank local hill fowl, clean shanks with bunch of feathers on head and commercial layer birds were 51.332±0.652, 55.363±0.748 and 54.072±O.432 g; 73.297±O.683, 76.936±O.382 and 76.071±O.289; O.08411±O.00372, O.07885±0.00415 and 0.09123±O.00476, O.44496±O.00630, O.41995±O.00782 and 0.34728±O.00613; 79.820±0.972, 77.80±1.18 and 71.70±O.296; respectively. The local hill fowl contains higher albumin volume and yolk weight, which indicate availability of more protein and fat per egg as compared to the commercial layer eggs and hence indicate better quality eggs of local hill fowl than eggs of commercial layer stock. Sufficient variability in most of the egg quality traits was observed in both the strains of hill fowl, hence required further study in their egg quality traits.