Assessment of Egg and Carcass Quality Traits of Indigenous Naked Neck (Angete Melata), Normal-Feathered and Tetra H Hybrid Chicken Genotypes in South West Ethiopia

This study was conducted in South west Ethiopia to assess egg and carcass quality traits of indigenous full feather, indigenous Naked neck and Tetra H hybrid chicken genotypes. For the assessment of external and internal egg quality traits, 180 fresh eggs were collected from the three genotypes (60 eggs from each genotype). Carcass quality traits analysis, thirty six mature chicken 18 male and 18 female;12 from each genotype) were used. After overnight fasting, each bird was weighed (considered as pre-slaughter weight) and manually eviscerated. The General Linear Model Procedure of Statistical Analysis System was employed to analyze the data. The dressed carcass weight was taken after de-feathering and removal of feet, head and the viscera while the skin was included. The result indicated Tetra H hybrid chicken genotype had significantly higher in most of external and internal egg quality traits except shell thickens and yolk color. The indigenous full feathered and naked neck chicken had comparable in most of internal and external egg quality attributes. Results pertaining to carcass quality traits indicated the naked neck chicken genotype had significantly higher in dressing percentage than the two chicken genotypes. Whereas the Tetra H hybrid chicken genotype had significantly higher in all carcass yield parts. However, the indigenous full feathered and naked neck chicken genotype had also comparable results of carcass trait values. From this results, it could be concluded that the Tetra H hybrid chicken genotype would be better for egg quality attributes and carcass quality traits. Thus, it could be recommended to assess the performance the three chicken genotypes under intensive management conditions to validate the presence of these variations under improved management conditions for better utilization of these genetic resources.