Effect of extended storage on egg quality, embryo mortality and hatchability in FUNAAB‐ɑ chickens was determined. Hatchable eggs (n = 288; weighing 53.2 ± 4.67 g) collected from a flock of FUNAAB‐ɑ layer breeder hens aged 32 weeks were stored in egg tray with broad end up under 16 ± 1.5°C for either 0, 4, 8, 12, 16 or 20 d. Before incubation, eight eggs from each group were evaluated for internal and external quality traits. Remaining eggs were set in an incubator and transferred into hatcher on embryonic day 18. Data collected were subjected to one‐way analysis of variance. Egg weight loss (EWL; p < .001), surface area (p < .001), yolk diameter (p < .001), inner and outer blastoderm diameters (p < .05) and dead in germ (DIG; p < .001) increased with storage duration while yolk height (p < .001), yolk index (p < .001), albumen weight (p < .05), albumen height (p < .05), albumen index (p < .01), Haugh's unit (HU; p < .05), fertility (p < .001), hatchability of set (HATCHS; p < .001) and fertile eggs (p < .05) decreased. Weight losses of 0, 1.2, 2.2, 3.4, 4.6 and 6.1% were recorded in egg stored for 0, 4, 8, 12, 16 and 20 days respectively. Eggs stored beyond 8 days exhibited higher DIG and lower HATCHS. Shell percentage in 4 days storage (11.4%) was lower (p < .05) than in 16 days storage (13.4%). Shell thickness was similar in eggs stored for 0 to 12 days, but 8 days storage (0.60 mm) had thinner (p < .01) shell than day 16 (0.71 mm) and day 20 (0.73 mm) storage. Internal quality unit (IQU) was higher (p < .05) in fresh eggs (180.4) than in 12 days (167.8) and 20 days (167.8) stored eggs. Extended storage of FUNAAB‐ɑ eggs caused EWL, surface area shrinkage, lowered HU and IQU, loss of yolk and albumen quality, increased blastoderm diameters and DIG, and decreased egg fertility and HATCHS from day 8 forward. Storing FUNAAB‐ɑ eggs beyond 8 days reduced quality parameters; therefore, other mitigating factors are recommended when storing beyond 8 days.

No abstract

The study was designed to investigate the association of Insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF1) gene polymorphism with the reproductive performance of FUNAAB-Alpha, Sasso, and Kuroiler dual-purpose chicken breeds. To achieve this, a total of 250 healthy hens were selected at 12 weeks of age and were intensively managed in cages for 52 weeks. Blood sample was taken from each chicken at the 34th week and genomic DNA was extracted using Qiagentm DNA extraction kit, PCR was used to amplify the DNA fragments, and the PCR products were electrophoresed. Amplicons obtained were digested with restriction enzyme hinf1, and were further electrophoresed on 1.5% agarose gel. Data obtained were analyzed using the General linear model of SAS (2002) version 9.0 to determine the effect of IGF1 gene polymorphism and the distribution of alleles within the breeds. Results show polymorphism of the IGF1 gene and the restriction analysis indicated two alleles; A 58% and C 42% with the identification of genotypes AA, AC, and CC, and genotypic frequency of 22%, 43% and 35% respectively. Significant associations were observed between the polymorphism of the IGF1 gene, age of the bird at first lay, and weight of the hen at first lay. Chickens with haplotype CC came earlier into lay compared to those with the other two haplotypes (AA and AC). Therefore, the study suggests that haplotype CC could be used as a genetic marker to select for an improved laying performance in chickens.

No abstract

Eggs from Transylvanian naked neck (TN) chickens (n = 560) were stored in cold room (at 16 ± 1.5oC) in daily batches of 80 eggs each, for 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 or 7d either with broad (BEU) or narrow end up (NEU). Additional day in storage caused significant (P < 0.001) loss in egg weight. Dead in germ (DIG) followed (P < 0.001) the pattern: 5d < 6d < 2d = 1d < 4d < 7d. DIG in 3d group was similar to both 4d and 7d. However, dead in shell (DIS) took (P < 0.001) 6d > 7d > 1d = 4d = 5d > 3d pattern. DIS in 2d stood in-between 6d and 7d groups. Similar hatchability of set eggs (HSE; P > 0.05) was recorded in eggs stored for 1d, 2d, 3d and 4d. These were significantly (P < 0.001) higher than others. Storage for 5d resulted in better HSE than 6d and 7d. HFE was in descending order: 1d > 2d > 3d > 4d = 5d > 6d > 7d. BEU eggs (P < 0.001) had higher DIG and DIS and lower HSE and HFE than those stored NEU. Hatch window (HW) was significantly (P < 0.001) influenced by length of storage. Storage for 4d and 5d exhibited longer HW than 2d, 3d and 7d. Shortest HW was observed in eggs stored for 1d. Hatching (P < 0.05) commenced earlier and took longer time in BEU eggs (472h; 36h) than in NEU eggs (478h; 30h) respectively. Chicks in 3d (17.4 cm) were (P < 0.01) longer than those from 4d (16.9 cm), but the two groups were similar to other groups. In conclusion, storage of TN chicken eggs should not exceed 4d. Storage in NEU orientation gave better hatching traits than BEU.