Genetic parameters of production and egg quality characters in White Leghorn

Observation were recorded on 305 female progenies of 20 sire families and the data recorded for weight and age at sexual maturity, weight of first egg, 90 days egg production and egg quality traits (shell thickness, yolk and albumen index). The averages were 1566.26±8.93 gms, 169.57±1.44 days, 42.05±0.24 gms, 54.82±0.43 eggs, 0.36±0.01, 0.77±0.01 and 0.11±0.01 respectively. Heritability estimates were low for shell thickness and albumen index, moderately medium for body weight and age at sexual maturity, 90-days egg production and yolk index. TIle heritability form weight at first egg was 0.22±0.01. The genetic correlation indicated that the lower the weight and age at sexual maturity the mare the egg production and better shell thickness. A selection index was constructed to obtain the best progeny for better egg production (X1) and early sexual maturity (X2) as I = 3.43 X1 = 1.06 X2.