Quality parameters of Isa-Brown and Nigerian local chicken eggs

Abstract

Egg weight, component weights, yolk and albumen indices and Haugh units of a sample of 84 eggs of  Isa-Brown (IB) and Nigerian Local Chicken (NLC) respectively were studied. 18 and NLC hens were raised under the intensive system and fed oommen:ial layer mash (15.6 C.P, 3.6% Ca. aad 2850 Kcal ME/Kg). Hens of the two genotypes (IB and NLC) were in their 48th week in lay at the st.art of the study. Mean egg panameters of IB were 59.18, 15.57, 37, 13 and 6.33 for egg, yolk, albumen and shell weights  respectively. Corresponding me:.n values for NLC egg were 40.6Sg (egg wt.), 14.97g (yolk weight), 21.37g (albumen wt.) and 4.18g (sheU wt.). Egg shell thickness for IB and NLC were 0.35 and 0.30mm respectively. However, peReat yolk ia NLC was 10.53% higher than for m. Baugh unit, JOlk and albumen iadices were significantly higher for IB than for NLC eggs. Moderate to strong relationships were obtained between egg weight and component weights in both genotypes. Percent yolk showed some decrease w•ile albumen weight increased with egg size ia botll groups.

Keywords: Egg quality parameters, Isa- Brown, Local Chicken