AUTHOR(S):

Ahmed S. Shaker, Hani N. Hermiz, Taher R. Al-Khatib, Rekawt M. Mohammed

TITLE

Egg Shape Characterization for Four Genetic Groups of Kurdish Local Chickens

KEYWORDS

Local Chicken, External Egg Traits, Breadth

ABSTRACT

Egg external traits have attentions from researchers for many years ago. This study was conducted to compare between the egg shapes of four genetic groups of Kurdish local chicken. 454 Eggs from all the groups were individually weighed to the nearest 0.01 g using an electronic digital balance. Length and width of egg were individually recorded by using a digital caliper. It was found significant difference (P<0.01) between White with shank feather and Black with brawn neck in egg weight. Egg length also differs significantly between black brawn neck, white with shank feather and white without shank feather (P<0.01). Egg breadth was significantly just between pure black and weight without shank feather. And finally shape index was differing significantly between groups but just pure black and white without shank feather not differ in (P<0.01) level. The highest significant positive correlations between external egg traits were found between egg weight and egg breadth (0.796), and between egg weight and egg length (0.760) p< 0.0001. Higher significant negative correlation was between egg length and egg shape index (-0.813) p< 0.0001. It could be concluded that there were statistically significant differences between the genetic groups in their egg weight and egg external traits such as egg length, egg breadth and shape index, and this may be due to their genetic makeup. Further studies are needed to characterize these groups based on molecular markers.

Cite this paper

Ahmed S. Shaker, Hani N. Hermiz, Taher R. Al-Khatib, Rekawt M. Mohammed. (2016) Egg Shape Characterization for Four Genetic Groups of Kurdish Local Chickens. Food and Nutrition Science - An International Journal, 1, 20-25