Vol. 12, Special Issue 7 (2023)

Author(s):
Sabitha Antony, Leo Joseph, PA Peethambaran and P Anitha

Abstract:
An experiment was conducted to evaluate and compare the egg quality traits of eggs obtained from hens of Aseel × Naked Neck (ANN), Aseel × New Hampshire (ANH) and Aseel × Rhode Island Red (ARIR) crossbreds under farm conditions. The egg quality traits recorded at 40 weeks of age were satisfactory for all the three crossbred groups. The mean shape index of eggs at 40 weeks of age in ANN, ANH and ARIR was 75.82, 74.39 and 77.30, respectively, and the values did not differ significantly. The mean albumen index of eggs at 40 weeks of age was 0.06, 0.08 and 0.09 in ANN, ANH and ARIR, respectively, and the albumen index in ANN was significantly lower when compared to the other two experimental groups (p<0.05). The mean yolk index of eggs at 40 weeks of age in ANN, ANH and ARIR was 0.38, 0.40 and 0.40, respectively, and the values were similar. The mean shell thickness of eggs from ANN at 40 weeks of age was 0.25±0.01 mm which was significantly higher (p<0.05) than that of eggs from ANH (0.20±0.007 mm) and ARIR birds (0.20±0.007 mm). The mean Haugh unit score of eggs from ARIR birds (82.18) was significantly (p<0.05) higher than that of eggs from ANN and ANH birds (67.78 and 77.22 respectively). The mean value of yolk cholesterol in ANN, ANH and ARIR was 15.25, 14.84 and19.11 mg per gram of yolk, respectively.