Authors : S.A Offiong , O.O. Ojebiyi , E.O. Moses , B.I. Umoh and E.E.A. Offiong
Abstract: Twenty-five freshly laid eggs were collected weekly from each of exotic commercial and local chicken flocks designated (E) and (L), respectively. These made a total of 125 eggs each over a period of 5 weeks for the experiment and were analyzed for morphometric characteristics. The mean egg weight values, shell weight and shell thickness of the exotic layer eggs significantly differed from those of the local chicken eggs (p<0.05). The haugh unit value was also significantly higher in the exotic layer eggs but the albumen index of eggs of the chicken genotypes did not differ (p>0.05). However, mean yolk weight was higher (p<0.05) in the local chicken eggs. There was high correlation (p<0.05) between shell thickness and specific gravity in the exotic chicken eggs. This was negative in the local chicken eggs. There was no correlation between shell thickness and yolk weight of the local eggs. Eggs of both chicken genotypes exhibited positive correlation in respect of yolk weight and egg weight values. Eggs of the exotic commercial layers were superior in all the parameters measures except in yolk weight, which may be partly genetic and partly environmental. However, as eggs, the composition of both egg types and their biological value were not considered to differ as to give one or other any nutritional superiority, although differences existed in the morphometric characteristics.
S.A Offiong , O.O. Ojebiyi , E.O. Moses , B.I. Umoh and E.E.A. Offiong , 2006. Comparison of the Morphometric Characteristics of Exotic Commercial and Local Chicken Eggs in the Tropical Environment. Journal of Animal and Veterinary Advances, 5: 1046-1049.