Inheritance of egg quality traits in broiler based Naked neck and dwarf chicken

The egg quality of Naked neck and Dwarf chicken was evaluated in the present study. The data on 1181 eggs collected from Naked neck and Dwarf chicken at 28, 32, 36 and 40 weeks of age were analyzed for the external and internal egg quality traits. The genetic group had significant effect on important egg quality traits at all ages. The egg weight, yolk weight, yolk colour, albumin weight, albumin height and shell thickness were significantly (P≤0.01) higher in Naked neck chicken at all the ages. The heritability estimates of egg weight, albumin weight, yolk weight, yolk height, albumin height, Haugh unit and shell weight were moderate to high indicating the presence of additive effects. Egg weight had positive correlation with albumin weight and yolk weight. Albumin height and Haugh unit had highly significant (P≤0.01) positive correlation in both the chicken breeds. Shell thickness had negative association with most of the traits. The presence of additive gene effect and positive genetic correlation among the traits can be utilized in the breeding programmes to improve the egg quality of chicken.