Evaluation of Reproductive Performance, Egg Production and Egg Quality Traits in the Fulani Ecotype Chicken Raised Intensively

Abstract

Five hundred and ten (510) indigenous Fulani Ecotype (FE) chicken eggs collected from three different Fulani Kraals in Kwara state were used to evaluate the reproductive performance of intensively raised FE. The results revealed that 98.0, 79.2 and 65.8% were settable, fertile and hatchable, respectively. At 18 weeks of age, seventy two (72) adult females FE were housed singly in battery cages and evaluated for egg production from sexual maturity to 52 weeks in lay. The results showed that age at sexual maturity, body weight at first egg, total egg number and egg weight were 26 weeks, 1437g 128 and 44.11g, respectively. Clutch size ranged from 3-9, pause length ranged from 7-10days. Percentage hen housed production (HHP) was 53.10% while the percentage hen day production (HDP) was 57.6%. Age had significant (P<0.05) effect on some of the egg quality traits measured at 15, 30, 45 and 52 weeks in lay. Haugh Unit, Yolk Index, and Shell Thickness of FE eggs were above 80, 60 and 0.50, respectively. This study indicates the reproductive potentials of FE chicken that could be useful in developing an indigenous chicken with desirable egg production traits.