Pre-peak and peak production performance and egg quality of four different varieties of aseel at three different ages after induced molting
The present study was conducted to evaluate production performance in two different production phases i.e., pre-peak and peak phase after induced molting of four different varieties of native Aseel chicken at three different ages. 84 adult Aseel chickens from four varieties i.e. Lakha, Mushki, Peshawari and Mianwali and three age groups A (110 weeks), B (140 weeks) and C (175 weeks) being replicated seven time with one bird per replicate were kept for 10 weeks ( 4 weeks for pre-peak and 6 weeks for peak phase) to evaluate production performance and egg quality. The data thus collected from both of the phases of study were analyzed under Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) through SAS 9.1. Comparison among treatment means were made through Duncan’s Multiple Range (DMR) test. Results showed overall production performance better in peak production phase than that of pre-peak. Regarding varieties, Mushki variety showed better production efficiency followed by Lakha, Mianwali and Peshawari varieties. As far as age groups are concerned, 1st age group showed overall better production performance except egg weight which was significantly higher in third age group. As far as egg quality was concerned non-significant differences were observed for most of the egg quality parameters between production phases except shell thickness which was significantly better in peak production phase. Regarding varieties, mushki variety showed better shell thickness, haugh unit score and yolk index while albumen pH and yolk pH showed non-significant differences among these varieties. Furthermore, significantly higher shell thickness, haugh unit score, yolk index, and shell % in third age group while yolk and albumen pH showed non-significant differences in these age groups.
Keywords: Pre-Peak, Peak Production, Egg Quality, Aseel, Ages, Molting
