Phenotypic Correlation between Egg Quality Traits of Nigerian Unimproved (Indigenous) and Improved (Noiler) Chicken Genotypes

Yahaya, B.; Abdu, I.; Adamu, J. L.; Khalid, S. A.

Yahaya, B. Department of Animal Production Technology, Bauchi State College of Agriculture, Bauchi, Bauchi State. Nigeria
Abdu, I. Department of Animal Production Technology, Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University, Bauchi, Bauchi State, Nigeria
Adamu, J. L. Department of Animal Health and Production Technology, Federal Polytechnic Bali, Taraba State, Nigeria
Khalid, S. A. Department of Animal Production Technology, Bauchi State College of Agriculture, Bauchi, Bauchi State. Nigeria

Keywords: Relationship, Chickens, Positive, Negative, Egg Quality

Abstract

Noiler chickens are dual purpose improved Nigerian indigenous chickens producing both meat and eggs. This study was designed to examine the phenotypic correlations between egg quality traits of improved (Noiler) and unimproved (Indigenous) Nigerian chicken genotypes. The results showed higher mean values of Noiler chicken genotypes than the Locals for all external and most of the internal egg quality traits except yolk (55.34 versus 73.93%) and albumen (50.92 versus 58.87%) indexes while similar in yolk and albumen depths (0.13 mm). Both positive and negative relationships were established in this study. With respect to external egg quality traits, the highest (0.761) positive correlation was between egg width and egg shell index (p<0.01) for unimproved genotypes while the lowest (0.004) positive was between shell weight and egg shell index (p>0.05) for improved genotypes. In contrast, the highest negative (-0.614) was found between egg length and egg shell index of the improved genotypes (p<0.01) while the lowest (-0.106) was between egg width and shell weight (p>0.05) of unimproved genotypes. The highest positive (0.571) correlation for internal egg quality traits was recorded between yolk and albumen depths (p<0.01) for unimproved genotypes while the improved genotypes had the lowest (0.014) relationship between yolk weight and albumen width (p>0.05). However, both the highest and lowest (-0.921 and -0.002) negative associations were between albumen width and index (p<0.01) and yolk depth and index (p>0.05), respectively for unimproved genotypes. Positive correlations between external and internal egg quality traits ranged from high (0.813) to low (0.001) between egg and albumen weights (p<0.01) and, egg width with yolk depth (p>0.05) respectively for unimproved genotypes. On the other hand, the negative relationships also ranged from high (-0.982) between egg shell thickness and albumen weight (p<0.01) and low (-0.001) between egg width and yolk index (p>0.05) for improved genotypes. It is concluded that genetic make-up is a source of variation in egg quality parameters. This is therefore, advantageous to both breeders and industries.

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.

References

Abubakar, M.B., Abdulkadir, A.U., El-yuguda, A.D., Hamisu, T.M. and Baba, S.S. (2017). Sero-prevalence and risk factors associated with foot and mouth disease in Bauchi local government area, Bauchi state, Nigeria. IOSR Journal of Agriculture and Veterinary Science 10(6): 56-61.

Adetimirin, O.T. (2000). Analysis of egg marketing in Agege local government area of Lagos state. B. Tech. Project, University of Technology, Ogbomoso, Oyo state, Nigeria.

Alabi, O., Shoyombo, A., Jegede, S., Oluba, O. and Akpor, O. (2019). Rural production of tropically adapted breeds of chickens in rural areas of Kwara state, Nigeria. Potravinarstvo Slovak Journal of Food Sciences 13(1): 1013-1017.

Alkan, S., Karabag, K., Galic, A. and Balcioglu, M.S. (2008). Predicting yolk height, yolk width, albumen length, eggshell weight, egg shape index, eggshell thickness, egg surface area of Japanese quails using various eggs traits as regressors. International Journal of Poultry Science 7(1): 85-88.
Alkan, S., Karsli, T., Galiç, A. and Karabağ, K. (2013). Determination of phenotypic correlations between internal and external quality traits of guinea fowl eggs. Kafkas Universitesi Veteriner Fakultesi Dergisi 19(5): 861-867.

Alkan, S., Galiç, A., Karsli, T. and Karabağ, K. (2015). Effects of egg weight on egg quality traits in partridge (Alectoris chukar). Journal of Applied Animal Research 43(4): 450-456.

Bassey, O.A., Akpan, U., Ikeobi, C.O.N.,Adebambo, O.A. and Idowu, O.M.O. (2016). Egg production and quality assessment of Nigerian indigenous chicken genotypes and their crosses with Marshall. Nigerian Journal of Animal Production 43(2): 28-36.

Chimezie, V.O., Fayeye, T.R., Ayorinde, K.L. and Adebunmi, A. (2017). Phenotypic Correlations between egg weight and some egg quality traits in three varieties of Japanese quail (Coturnix coturnix japonica). Agrosearch 17(1): 44– 53.

Chukwuka, O.K., Okoli, I.C., Okeudo, N.J., Udedibie, A.B.I., Ogbuewu, I.P., Aladi, N.O., Iheshiolur, O.O.M. and Omede, A.A. (2011). Egg quality defects in poultry management and food safety. Asian Journal of Agricultural Research 5(1): 1-6.

Dogara, M.U., Kalla, D.J.U., Mancha, Y.P. and Shuaibu, A. (2021). Evaluation of egg production and egg quality traits of Noiler chickens. Nigerian Journal of Animal Science 23(2): 100-113.

Esatu, W. and Dessie, T. (2018). Testing and delivering tropically-adapted chickens for productivity growth in Sub-Saharan Africa. FAO-ILRI Regional Training Workshop on Proven Livestock Technologies ILRI, Addis Ababa, 3-5 December 2018.

Eke, M.O., Olaitan, N.I. and Ochefu, J.H. (2013). Effect of storage conditions on quality attributes of shell (table) eggs. Nigerian Food Journal 31(2): 18-24.

Emeka, O.C., Oleforuh-Okoleh, V.U. and Etekpe, G.W. (2019). Egg production traits in normal feathered and naked necked Nigerian indigenous (FUNAAB Alpha) chickens. Delta Agriculturist 11(1): 21-31.

Dessie, T., Taye, T., Dana, N., Ayalew, W. and Hanotte, O. (2011). Current state of knowledge on phenotypic characteristics of indigenous chickens in the tropics. World's Poultry Science Journal 67: 507-516.

Inca, J.S., Martinez, D.A. and Vilchez, C. (2017). Phenotypic correlation between external and internal egg quality characteristics in 85-week-old laying hens. International Journal of Poultry Science 19(8): 346-355.

Isidahomen, C.E., Njidda, A.A. and Olatunji, E.A. (2013). Egg quality traits of indigenous and exotic chickens as influenced by specific genes. Journal of Biology, Agriculture and Healthcare 3(1): 53-57.

Kingori, A.M., Tuitoek, J.K., Muiruri, H.K. and Wachira, A.M. (2010). Effect of dietary crude protein levels on egg production, hatchability and post-hatch offspring performance of indigenous chickens. International Journal of Poultry Science 9(4): 324-329.

Kuchida, K., Fukaya, M., Miyoshi, S., Suzuki, M. and Tsuruta, S. (1999). Nondestructive prediction method for yolk:albumen ratio in chicken eggs by computer image analysis. Poultry Science 78: 909-913.

Markos, S., Belay, B. and Astatkie, T. (2017). Evaluation of egg quality traits of three indigenous chicken ecotypes kept under farmers’ management condition. International Journal of Poultry Science 16: 180-188.

Menezes, P.C., Lima, E.R., Medeiros, J.P., Oliveira, W.N.K. and Evêncio-Neto, J. (2012). Egg quality of laying hens in different conditions of storage, ages and housing densities. Revista Brasileira de Zootecnia 41(9): 2064-2069.

Miyoshi, S. and Mitsumoto, T. (1994). Differences on the egg composition and quality traits of some commercial strains. Japanese Poultry Science 31:287–299.

Nuhu H.S., Donye, A.O. and Bawa, D.B. (2014). Barriers to women participation in agricultural development in Bauchi local government area of Bauchi state, Nigeria. Agriculture and Biology Journal of North America 5(4): 166-174.

Obike, O.M., Oke, U.K. and Azu, K.E. (2011). Comparison of egg production performance and egg quality traits of pearl and black strains of guinea fowl in a Humid Rain-Forest Zone of Nigeria. International Journal of Poultry Science 10(7): 547-551.

Oleforuh-Okoleh, V.U., Chukwuemeka, U.M. and Adeoye, G.O. (2018). Influence of strain and production cycle on egg quality traits of two Nigerian indigenous chicken strains. Nigerian Journal of Animal Production 45(2): 29 – 39.

Rath, P.K., Mishra, P.K., Mallick, B.K. and Behura, N.C. (2015). Evaluation of different egg quality traits and interpretation of their mode of inheritance in White Leghorns. Veterinary World 8(4): 449-452.

Roberts, J.R. (2004). Factors affecting egg internal quality and egg shell quality in laying hens. Journal of Poultry Science 41: 161-177.

Udoh, U.H., Ukon, B. and Udoh, A.P. (2012). Egg quality characteristics, phenotypic correlations and prediction of egg weight three (naked, frizzled feather and normal feathered) Nigerian local chickens. International Journal of Poultry Science 11(11): 696-699.

Yakubu, A., Bamidele, O., Hassan, W.A., Ajayi, F.O., Ogundu, U.E., Alabi, O., Sonaiya, E.B. and Adebambo, O.A. (2019). Farmers’ choice of breeding stock and trait preferences in tropically-adapted chickens in five Agro-ecological zones in Nigeria. In: Proceeding of 44th Annual Conference of the Nigerian Society for Animal Production. Mar. 17-21, 2019, UNIABUJA, Abuja. Nigeria.

Yakubu, A. (2010). Indigenous chicken flocks of Nasarawa State, Nigeria: Their characteristics, husbandry and productivity. Tropical and Subtropical Agroecosystems 12: 69 – 76.

Yakubu, Y., Ogah, D.M. and Barde, R.E. (2018). Productivity and egg quality characteristics of free range naked neck and normal feathered Nigerian indigenous chickens. International Journal of Poultry Science 7(6): 579-585.