Laying performance as affected by some body measurements at 6 weeks of age for Inshas as a new local strain of chickens in Egypt
Abstract: The study was conducted to investigate the effect of some body measurements at 6 weeks of age on productive performance. A number of 112 pullets of Inshas strain were individually weighed with measuring shank, thigh and keel lengths at 6 weeks of age. Data on shank, thigh and keel lengths were classified into three groups: short, medium and long lengths. At 20 weeks of age pullets were transferred to individual layer cages until 40 weeks of age. At 36 weeks of age one egg was broken from each hen to determine egg quality traits.
The pullets of short thighs recorded (P< 0.05) earlier sexual maturity, while medium thighs recorded (P < 0.05) heavier body weight at sexual maturity than those of other lengths. Pullets of short shanks produced (P < 0.05) more eggs, higher egg mass and rate of laying than those of other lengths. However medium keel length pullets produced (P < 0.05) more eggs. higher egg mass and rate of laying than the other two groups. Shank length was negatively (P < 0.05) correlated with each of egg number, egg mass and rate of laying, while thigh length was positively (P < 0.01) correlated with age at sexual maturity. Long shank pullets produced (P < 0.05) eggs of higher values of Haugh unit than those of other shank lengths, while short thighs pullets produced (P< 0.05) eggs higher in values of yolk percentage than the other two groups. It could be stated that it is possible to predict the productive performance by using shank length at 6-weeks of age for Inshas strain.
Conclusively, it could be concluded that short shank length may be a good indicator of high egg production traits of Inshas as a new local strain of chickens.
Keywords: Local strain, body measurements, egg production, egg quality
Publication year 2002
Pages 6645-6654
Availability location معهد بحوث الانتاج الحيوانى- شارع نادى الصيد- الدقى - الجيزة
Availability number
Organization Name
City المنصورة
serial title Journal Agricultural Science Mansoura University
ISSN 1110-0346
Author(s) from ARC
Agris Categories Animal physiology - Nutrition
AGROVOC
TERMS		 Body measurements. Chickens. Egg production. Egypt. Laying performance.
Proposed Agrovoc egg quality;Local strain;
Publication Type Journal
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