Genetic evaluation of egg quality traits in Uttara fowl using MMLSML

Abstract

External and internal egg quality traits of Uttara fowl reared at instructional poultry farm were measured in 125 eggs selected from 25 sires. The heritability estimates of traits were estimated from sire component of variances and covariances using mixed model least- squares and maximum likelihood (MMLSML). Heritability estimates for external egg quality traits ranged from 0.34 to 0.83 and for internal egg quality traits from 0.19 to 0.81. Genetic correlation between egg weight and eggshell thickness (EST) was positive (0.43) and EST showed high genetic correlations with eggshell weight (0.79) also. Internal egg quality traits like albumen height showed high positive genetic correlations with albumen weight (0.63), albumen index (0.84), yolk height (0.71) and yolk index (0.65). In conclusion, higher albumen height tends to have better internal egg quality and it is feasible to improve egg quality through selection.