Morphometric and Morphology of Indigenous Chicken Eggs Quality Parameters in East Shewa and West Arsi Zones of Oromia Regional State, Ethiopia

Indigenous chicken egg was becomes very concerned food in Ethiopia as consumers were highly attractive to eat them. Egg is rich with valuable proteins, vitamins and minerals. The external and internal quality parameters were the main determinant for consumption preference and hatching egg. The egg of indigenous chicken was more preferred among local consumers due to its flovour and tastes. However, there was limited information and, gap of standardized document on egg qualities indigenous chicken ecotypes in this area. Therefore, this study was conducted with objectives of evaluating egg quality parameters of indigenous chicken eggs and characterize external and internal egg quality traits to establish a base for indigenous chicken designing breeding program under smallholder farmers in selected districts of East Shewa and West Arsi zones, Oromia regional state, Ethiopia. A total of 1200 fresh egg were used in this study. The results of study revealed that overall mean egg weight indigenous chicken in this study was 41.28±3.4.8g. The overall mean egg length and egg width in this study were 51.12±2.5mm and 37.82±1.6mm respectively. The egg shape index in current study was 74.15±3.6%. The egg shell weight of indigenous chickens in current study was 4.8±0.8g with shell ratio of 11.8 ± 2.6%. The overall mean yolk weight and albumen weight of indigenous chickens’ egg in this study area were 15.4±2.6g and 20.4± 3.4g respectively with albumen ratio and yolk ratio of 38.12±5.4% and 50.25±5.6% respectively. The overall estimated haugh unit of indigenous chicken egg in present study was 78. The indigenous chicken egg in the current study showed a normal shape. On the other hand, egg size of indigenous of this study was categorized under small size based on standard egg quality parameters set and thus, need further improvement for better productivity of indigenous chicken under prevailing production system.