EGG QUALITY AND CHICK SURVIVABILITY OF PHENOTYPICALLY CHARACTERIZED PHILIPPINE NATIVE CHICKENS AS AFFECTED BY STORAGE DURATION AND SHAPE INDEX
Authors: Triel Martin Felix and Mary Arnel D. Garcia
Triel Martin Felix: Department of Agricultural Sciences, Mariano Marcos State University, Batac City, Ilocos Norte, 2900, Philippines.
Mary Arnel D. Garcia: Department of Animal Science, Benguet State University, La Trinidad, Benguet, 2601, Philippines.
ABSTRACT
The study evaluated the effect of storage duration and shape index on the quality of eggs and survivability of chicks from phenotypically characterized Philippine native chickens. A total of 135 eggs were collected and classified based on shape index (SI): sharp (SI < 72), normal (SI = 72–76), and round (SI > 76). Eggs were subjected to three storage durations: 0, 5, and 10 days at a constant temperature of 18°C. The study was laid out in split-plot design with three replications. Results showed that weight loss significantly increased with longer storage duration. The internal quality parameters such as yolk height, albumen height, yolk and albumen weight and Haugh unit were significantly affected by storage duration and shape index while yolk color remains unaffected. Shape index alone influenced initial egg weight and yolk height.
Keywords: Storage duration, shape index, egg quality, Philippine native chicken