1College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Pookode, Wyanad, Kerala.
Centre for Advanced Studies in Poultry Science, College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences Kerala Veterinary and Animal Sciences University, Mannuthy, Thrissur, Kerala - 680 651
2Faculty of Poultry Science, Kerala Veterinary and Animal Sciences University, Kerala.
3Centre for Advanced Studies in Poultry Science, College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Mannuthy, Thrissur, Kerala.
4Department of Livestock Production and Management, College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Pookode, Wyanad, Kerala.
A total of 100 eggs of Tellicherry chicken reared under extensive system of management in Kozhikode and Kannur districts of Kerala state were evaluated for egg quality. The egg weight (g), egg length (mm), egg breadth (mm), shape index, albumen weight (g), albumen percent, albumen index, yolk weight (g), yolk percent, yolk index, shell thickness (mm), shell weight (g), shell percent, Haugh unit score and yolk cholesterol (mg per g) of Tellicherry chicken eggs were 41.81, 51.90, 37.95, 73.37, 24.35, 58.23, 4.67, 13.21, 31.72, 31.89, 0.38, 4.18, 10.01, 64.41 and 14.67, respectively. The fertlity (%), hatchability on total egg set (%) and hatchability on fertile egg set (%) were 74.29, 63.12 and 83.12 in natural incubation and 79.55, 67.05 and 84.29 under artificial incubation, respectively. Method of incubation has no significant effect on these parameters. The incidences of early embryonic death, dead germs and dead-in-shell were 5.34, 8.65 and 0.96% in natural incubation and 3.13, 4.20 and 8.39% in artificial incubation respectively. The total embryonic mortality was 14.95% in natural incubation and 15.72% in artificial incubation. The dead-in-shell percentage was significantly (P<0.01) higher in artificial incubation compared to natural incubation. It can be concluded that broody hens of Tellicherry chicken are as efficient as modern incubators in providing care to the incubating eggs.
Egg quality, hatchability, chicken, management
