Universal Journal of Agricultural Research Vol. 11(2), pp. 499 - 506
DOI: 10.13189/ujar.2023.110226
Reprint (PDF) (788Kb)

Performances and Genetic Correlations between Age at First Egg and Egg Quality Traits of Reciprocal Crossbreds of Hilly and Fayoumi Chickens

Md. Kabirul Islam Khan ^1,*, Jannatul Ferdous ¹, Md. Moksedul Momin ¹, Jannatara Khatun ^2
1 Department of Genetics and Animal Breeding, Chattogram Veterinary and Animal Sciences University, Chattogram-4225, Bangladesh
² Department of Animal Science and Nutrition, Chattogram Veterinary and Animal Sciences University, Chattogram-4225, Bangladesh

ABSTRACT

The selection index is the best method to select the best individual to be a parent to the next generation and is important for the improvement of a trait. It's a weighted linear function of each trait's selection criteria and breeding values. For estimating the breeding value for a trait heritability, genetic, and phenotypic correlations of the trait are necessary. And the genotypic and phenotypic correlations have great importance in indirect selection. Furthermore, the crossbred produced by the reciprocal crossing of Hilly and Fayoumi (Fay) has not been evaluated elsewhere. Therefore, the aim of this study was to evaluate the Hilly, Fay and their reciprocal crossbred chickens under both intensive and semi-intensive production systems and estimate the genetic correlation between age at first egg and egg quality traits from July 2017 to June 2020. The Hilly and Fay chickens were collected and quarantined for 15 days. Then each genotype was transferred into the rearing shed for random mating at a ratio of 1:8 (male: female). Egg production, egg weight, and survivability of the base and reciprocal crossbreds were recorded from the start of laying up to 365 days. Eggs were hatched by an electric incubator, and the hatched chicks were weighed and their fortnightly live weight up to mature age was taken and recorded. The fertility and hatchability of different genotypes were recorded accordingly. Egg quality traits and daily feed intake were observed and recorded. The breeding values and genetic correlations of each trait were estimated using AIREML software following an individual animal model. Results show the mature live weight of Hilly chickens was higher than Fay and other reciprocal crossbreds. In the case of crossbreds, Fay male × Hilly female crossbreds showed less survivability than Hilly male × Fay female crossbreds. Higher-weighed eggs were observed in Hilly than in other chicken genotypes. A significant difference between genotypes and production systems was also observed for the external and internal egg quality traits. The genotypic correlations between age at sexual maturity and egg weight were found positive, however, some traits showed negative correlations. This studied genetic correlation can be used in selection indices for selecting the best individual for the genetic improvement of these traits.

KEYWORDS
Chicken, Reciprocal Cross, Genetic Evaluation, Egg Quality Traits, Correlation

Cite This Paper in IEEE or APA Citation Styles
(a). IEEE Format:
[1] Md. Kabirul Islam Khan , Jannatul Ferdous , Md. Moksedul Momin , Jannatara Khatun , "Performances and Genetic Correlations between Age at First Egg and Egg Quality Traits of Reciprocal Crossbreds of Hilly and Fayoumi Chickens," Universal Journal of Agricultural Research, Vol. 11, No. 2, pp. 499 - 506, 2023. DOI: 10.13189/ujar.2023.110226.

(b). APA Format:
Md. Kabirul Islam Khan , Jannatul Ferdous , Md. Moksedul Momin , Jannatara Khatun (2023). Performances and Genetic Correlations between Age at First Egg and Egg Quality Traits of Reciprocal Crossbreds of Hilly and Fayoumi Chickens. Universal Journal of Agricultural Research, 11(2), 499 - 506. DOI: 10.13189/ujar.2023.110226.