Comparative Study of Egg Quality, Hatching Performance and Carcass Traits for Rhode Island Red, Baheeg and Matrouh Chicken Strains.

Abstract

The present experiment was designed to compare and evaluate some traits such as egg quality, hatching performance and carcass measurements of Rhode Island Red (RIR), Bahig and Matrouh chicken strains. A total number of 435 females (145 for each strain) and 47 males (15 RIR, 16 Bahig and 16 Matrouh) were used in the beginning of this experiment. Initial body weights at 20 wks of age, final body weight at 62 wks of age and body weight gain (20-62 wks of age) were significantly affected by strain. Matrouh and RIR strains had significantly heavier initial body weight compared to Bahig strain. On the other hand, RIR and Bahig strains had significantly heavier final body weight and body weight gain in comparision with Matrouh strain. Rhode Island Red hens produced significantly heavier egg weight compared to Bahig and Matrouh strains. No significant differences (P ≥ 0.05) between strains for shell thickness, shell weight and yolk weight were observed. Conversely, shell (%), yolk (%), albumen weight and albumen (%) were significantly affected by strain. Fertility and hatchability percentages of Matrouh strain were significantly higher in comparison with other strains. Concerning age effect, the present results showed that maximum percentage of fertility is often observed during periods (29-37, 46-53 and 54-61) wks of hens’ age. Inversely, percentage of fertility was lower at stage (38-45 wks). Significant difference between strains was detected for carcass, heart and abdominal fat percentages. It could be observed that Bahig strain had significantly higher carcass percentage (64.08 %) compared to RIR and Matrouh strains (59.19 and 58.94 %, respectively). Concerning abdominal fat percentage, Bahig strain had being significantly a lower abdominal fat percentage (1.43 %) compared to Matrouh and RIR strains (3.99 and 4.95 %, respectively). Finally, the mortality rate during the experimental period was lower for Matrouh females and males than those of other experimental strains.