Consumers’ preferences, acceptability, and quality traits of eggs from exotic and indigenous chickens raised in free-range management in peri-urban areas of Kutaber district, South Wollo, Ethiopia

• Consumers in Kutaber highly preferred large-sized eggs and yellow-colored yolks • Indigenous and exotic hens’ eggs are favored for their taste and size, respectively • Eggs from indigenous hens had the highest yolk color score (13.13±0.24) • Bovans Brown hens’ eggs were superior in many of the external egg quality traits • Eggs from indigenous and SassoT44 hens, with normal shape index, can fit in trays A study in the peri-urban Kutaber district, Ethiopia, evaluated consumers’ preferences, acceptability, and quality of eggs from Bovans Brown, Sasso T44, and indigenous chickens. Involving 223 respondents, the study explored consumption patterns and preferences for various egg attributes. Additionally, untrained consumer panels (n = 100) assessed the acceptability of 300 hard-boiled eggs, while 180 eggs were evaluated for quality traits. Findings showed that 96.41% of respondents consume eggs, with 47.44, 33.95, and 18.61% consuming 5, 5-10, and >10 eggs/month, respectively. Notably, 67.91% of the consumers preferred large-sized eggs, 93.95% favored yellow-colored yolks, and 67.44% liked brown-colored eggshells. Accordingly, 61.86% of the respondents preferred indigenous hens' eggs for their taste (86.47%), while eggs from exotic birds were favored for their large size. Consumer panels accepted indigenous chicken eggs (p<0.001), followed by Sasso T44 and Bovans Brown breeds. Bovans Brown eggs were higher (p≤0.003) in egg weight (59.12±0.46 g), egg width (44.05±0.26 mm), shape index (77.86±0.66%), eggshell weight (6.46±0.06 g), eggshell thickness (0.30±0.004 mm), and eggshell ratio (10.98±0.15%). Bovans Brown (56.68±0.39 mm) and Sasso T44 (56.70±0.39 mm) also had higher egg lengths (p<0.001) compared to indigenous hens (50.74±0.30 mm). Indigenous hens’ eggs had lower (p<0.001) albumen and yolk metrics and Haugh unit (76.39±1.19), but the highest yolk color (13.13±0.24) than in exotic breeds. The study recommends using better-performing indigenous chickens and Sasso T44 for producing large-sized eggs with enhanced flavor and most of other desirable traits favored by consumers, including their normal egg shape facilitating tray placement and commercial poultry production.