Variation in Egg Quality Traits among Indigenous Chicken Ecotypes of Uganda

Muhammad Kiggundu; Zulaikah Odaru; Zainah Nampijja; Henry Mulindwa; Rosette Nangonzi; Kanifa Kamatara; Vincent Lutwama

doi:10.61838/kman.jpsad.3.4.3

Authors

Muhammad Kiggundu * National Livestock Resources Research Institute, National Agricultural Research Organization, Kampala, Uganda. 2-National Semi-Arid Resources Research Institute, National Agricultural Research Organization, Soroti, Uganda muhammad.kiggundu@naro.go.ug

Zulaikah Odaru Department of Agricultural Production, Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda

Zainah Nampijja Department of Agricultural Production, Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda

Henry Mulindwa National Livestock Resources Research Institute, National Agricultural Research Organization, Kampala, Uganda

Rosette Nangonzi National Livestock Resources Research Institute, National Agricultural Research Organization, Kampala, Uganda

Kanifa Kamatara Department of Agricultural Production, Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda

Vincent Lutwama Department of Agricultural Production, Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda

https://doi.org/10.61838/kman.jpsad.3.4.3

Keywords:

Egg characteristics, Eggshell quality, Local chickens, Poultry genetics, Trait correlation

Abstract

Chicken eggs provide affordable, high-quality animal protein. Understanding egg quality traits is essential since they influence grading, pricing, chick weight and consumer preferences. This study examined egg quality variations among ecotypes from hens selectively bred for egg production and mature body weight. Birds had ad libitum access to a uniform layer diet, and daily egg collections allowed for detailed analyses of external and internal egg traits. Results revealed significant ecotype-based variation in external egg traits, with Apac hens laying the heaviest and longest eggs, while Gulu hens produced the lightest. Lira eggs had the highest shape index (SI), while Gulu’s was lowest. Among eggshell characteristics, Gulu eggs had the thickest shells, while Katakwi eggs had the heaviest shells, shell index, and shell ratio. Internal egg traits, including yolk depth, yolk ratio, and yolk index, differed significantly across ecotypes, with Katakwi eggs having the highest values. Yolk colour was also variable, with Gulu eggs scoring highest and Lira eggs lowest. Significant differences (p<0.01) in albumen traits were observed; Apac and Lira eggs had the highest albumen depth, weight, and Haugh unit (HU) scores, with Katakwi eggs scoring the lowest. Egg weight positively correlated with length, shell and albumen weight, yolk depth, and Haugh unit but negatively with yolk ratio. Overall, these findings highlight ecotype-based quality differences suitable for selective breeding for egg weight to enhance egg quality in Uganda's IC without destructive testing.

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