EFFECT OF SPECIES ON EGG QUALITIES OF POULTRY BIRDS

Abstract

The effect of species on eggs qualities of poultry birds was investigated. Fifteen eggs each of village chicken, commercial chicken, ducks and turkey eggs were sourced within Kabba town. External qualities of eggs determined were; egg weight, shell weight, % shell, egg shape and shell thickness and internal qualities determined were; yolk weight, albumen weight, % yolk, % albumen, yolk - albumen ratio, albumen height and haught unit using standard procedures and methods. Turkey eggs showed the highest mean weight (84.30g), while village chicken showed the lowest mean egg weight of 55.37g. The shell weight was highest for turkey (10.12g), this was similar to duck (9.55g), while local chicken had the least shell weight (6.48g).Commercial chicken had the least % egg shell. Turkey and duck shell thickness was significantly higher than that of village and commercial chicken. Turkey had the highest egg shape value while the local chicken had the least .The Yolk and albumen weight a were highest for turkey and least for local chicken. The proportion of yolk was highest for duck (32.18%) and lowest for local (24.27%). Albumen Percent was highest for exotic chicken (49.88%) but least for duck (44.55%). Haugh unit was highest for turkey and least for local chicken. It was concluded that species had effect on both external and internal qualities of eggs. However, the egg qualities mean values were majorly higher for turkey and duck. It was recommended that turkey and duck eggs can be widely consume like the common chicken eggs.