~ 113 ~ The Pharma Innovation Journal 2023; SP-12(7): 113-115 ISSN (E): 2277-7695 ISSN (P): 2349-8242 NAAS Rating: 5.23 TPI 2023; SP-12(7): 113-115 © 2023 TPI www.thepharmajournal.com Received: 02-04-2023 Accepted: 09-06-2023 Sabitha Antony Ph.D. Scholar, Department of Poultry Science, College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Mannuthy, Thrissur, Kerala, India Leo Joseph Former Director, Centre for Advanced Studies in Poultry Science, College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Mannuthy, Thrissur, Kerala, India PA Peethambaran Former Director, Centre for Advanced Studies in Poultry Science, College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Mannuthy, Thrissur, Kerala, India P Anitha Director, Centre for Advanced Studies in Poultry Science, College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Mannuthy, Thrissur, Kerala, India Corresponding Author: Sabitha Antony Ph.D. Scholar, Department of Poultry Science, College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Mannuthy, Thrissur, Kerala, India Evaluation of egg quality traits and cholesterol content of eggs of Aseel crossbreds Sabitha Antony, Leo Joseph, PA Peethambaran and P Anitha Abstract An experiment was conducted to evaluate and compare the egg quality traits of eggs obtained from hens of Aseel × Naked Neck (ANN), Aseel × New Hampshire (ANH) and Aseel × Rhode Island Red (ARIR) crossbreds under farm conditions. The egg quality traits recorded at 40 weeks of age were satisfactory for all the three crossbred groups. The mean shape index of eggs at 40 weeks of age in ANN, ANH and ARIR was 75.82, 74.39 and 77.30, respectively, and the values did not differ significantly. The mean albumen index of eggs at 40 weeks of age was 0.06, 0.08 and 0.09 in ANN, ANH and ARIR, respectively, and the albumen index in ANN was significantly lower when compared to the other two experimental groups (p<0.05). The mean yolk index of eggs at 40 weeks of age in ANN, ANH and ARIR was 0.38, 0.40 and 0.40, respectively, and the values were similar. The mean shell thickness of eggs from ANN at 40 weeks of age was 0.25±0.01 mm which was significantly higher (p<0.05) than that of eggs from ANH (0.20±0.007 mm) and ARIR birds (0.20±0.007 mm). The mean Haugh unit score of eggs from ARIR birds (82.18) was significantly (p<0.05) higher than that of eggs from ANN and ANH birds (67.78 and 77.22 respectively). The mean value of yolk cholesterol in ANN, ANH and ARIR was 15.25, 14.84 and19.11 mg per gram of yolk, respectively. Keywords: Egg quality, Aseel crossbreds, yolk cholesterol, shell thickness Introduction Indian native breeds of chicken have special characteristics of adaptability, disease resistance, and meat and egg quality. Indigenous chicken breeds have become increasingly popular around the globe due to their better adaptability to local environmental conditions and good immune profile (Iqbal et al., 2012) [1] . Attempts should be made to utilize some of these good qualities of Indian breeds by crossbreeding them with suitable exotic breeds to evolve a more productive hybrid chicken. This may lead to economically viable type of birds for backyard system of farming which is an instrument for the upliftment of rural poor people. The main constraints in backyard system of poultry rearing are losses due to predation and diseases. The native breed, Aseel despite its low production potential is well known for its pugnacity, high stamina, and intelligent defensive tactical thinking to keep power for long time in endurance fight. The Aseel breed is capable of self-defence from predators due to its alertness, longer shank length, camouflagic characters and aggressiveness. This breed can be effectively used for the development of germplasm suitable for backyard poultry farming. Among the desi birds, Naked Neck fowls have better egg production potential under tropical climate. These birds are having feather colours suited for backyard system of rearing. High yielding germplasm have contributed significantly in the progress of rural poultry production. New Hampshire and Rhode Island Red are two exotic dual purpose breeds which have been extensively used for production of brown eggs. These breeds can be successfully maintained under backyard as well as farming conditions in different parts of the country and has the potential for a higher economic return as layers (Javed et al., 2003) [2] . They have colored plumage and have good production potential that are advantageous for rearing in the backyard system. Nowadays egg quality is also a major concern in the egg industry as it affects grading, price and consumer demands. Furthermore, quality of internal egg content also affects hatching results, particularly chick yield (Rehman et al., 2017) [3] . Fertility and hatchability rates are in turn decided by eggshell thickness and the eggshells must be free from any deformities for ideal gas exchange and pipping process, and from hair-like cracks to avoid unnecessary moisture loss. This is the reason why most breeding companies focus on egg- quality traits (Bain, 2005; Sekeroglu & Altuntas, 2009) [4, 5] . Considering the above facts, the present study was undertaken to evaluate and compare the physical quality characteristics eggs