Crossbreeding Effect on Egg Quality Traits of Local Chickens and Their F1 Crosses With Rhode Island Red and Fayoumi Chicken Breeds Under Farmers’ Management Conditions

This study was conducted to evaluate the crossbreeding effect on egg quality traits of local Kei (a red plumaged chicken) and its F1 crosses with Fayoumi and Rhode Island Red (RIR) chicken breeds under farmers’ management conditions. The local Kei paternal line was mated with maternal line of Fayoumi and RIR to produce F1-crosses. At the same time, local Kei chickens were produced and used as a control group. Twenty-four households were involved in the study who received 10 chicks from each 3 genotypes (total of 720 chicks). Three hay-box brooders fitted with chick-runs were provided to each household in which the three genotypes were reared. Eggs were collected once daily while egg weight was determined on weekly basis. Egg quality traits were evaluated three months after sexual maturity. Egg production was (p < 0.05) higher for F1 crosses than local Kei chickens. Among F1 crosses, the Fayoumi-crosses had (p < 0.05) better egg production potential than RIR-crosses. Moreover, the investigated shell thickness and internal egg quality traits were (p < 0.05) higher in local Kei and Fayoumi-crosses than RIR-crosses. However, eggs from RIR-crosses were (p < 0.05) heavier than Fayoumi-crosses and local Kei chickens. In conclusion, Fayoumi chicken breeds could be a viable option to upgrade the general poor performances of indigenous chicken populations through well designed crossbreeding schemes.