EFFECTS OF EGGSHELL COLOR ON PRODUCTIVE PERFORMANCE, BODY MEASUREMENTS, AND SOME PLASMA CONSTITUENTS IN GOLDEN MONATZAH CHICKENS

Abstract

: This experiment was conducted to study the association between eggshell color and: productive performance, body measurements and some plasma constituents in Golden Montazah chickens. A total number of 300 Golden Montazah hens, 30 weeks old, were housed individually. Hens were divided into three groups according to their eggshell color (Light Brown, Creamy or White). Blood samples were taken to measure the sex hormones, phosphors and albumin contents and to determine the immune response against Newcastle and H5N1 diseases. Results showed that no significant differences in body weight, comb length, and shank length between females that produced different eggshell color. Wattle length was significantly larger in females produced creamy and light brown shell than females produced white eggshell color. Keel length was significantly longer in females that produced light brown eggs than those that produced Creamy or White eggshell colors. No significant differences in keel length was found between females that produced Creamy or White eggshell colors. No significant differences in egg production were observed between hens that produced different eggshell colors. Egg weight was significantly higher in creamy and white eggshell color than the light brown color group. Also, egg mass was significantly higher in the creamy shell group than the white shell egg group. Shell thickness was significantly higher in Light brown eggs than Creamy or White eggs. Blood Phosphors percentage and albumin percentage, at 42 weeks of age, were significantly higher in females that produced creamy and white eggs than light brown shell color. Antibody titer against H5N1 was significantly higher in hens that produced white eggshell color than hens that produced creamy shell color eggs. No significant differences were observed against Newcastle disease between females produced different eggshell color eggs. Also, no significant differences were observed in estradiol and progesterone hormones in Golden Montazah females produced different eggshell color eggs.