ABSTRACT

Early lay characteristics of pullets were studied in Lohmann Brown (LB) and Bovan Brown (BB) commercial pullets from the 20 — 32 weeks of age in a completely randomized design at Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike Teaching and Research Farm. Data obtained on the two genotype were subjected to analysis of variance (ANOVA), and correlation analysis to estimate the genetic association among early lay traits. Results indicate that mean Haugh unit value was non-significantly different between the two genotypes. Mean egg weight and body weight at age at sexual maturity were significantly different (P<0.01) being 48.5 13±1.41 lg with body weight of 1.523±0.017kg in Lohmann Brown (LB), and 51.142±1.471g with body weight 1.436±0.004kg for Bovan Brown respectively. Mean yolk index, yolk height, albumen height, shell thickness and shell weight were significantly different (P<0.05) at 32 weeks of age. Hen — day production, egg number and cost per dozen eggs were also significantly different (P<0.05). These were 23.526±6.920, 18±1.760, 237.518±48.372 in Lohmann Brown (LB), and 40.783±5.225, 23.824±1.467, 183.12 1±37.190 in Bovan Brown (BB) respectively. Association between yolk index and yolk diameter was highly significant (P<0.0 1) and negative, yolk index with yolk height was highly significant and positive at 32 weeks (r = - 0.946, 0.973) in Bovan Brown (BB). But yolk index had highly significant but negative association with yolk diameter, low but negative association with yolk height (r = - 0.955, - 0.54 1) in Lohmann Brown (LB). Egg weight had high and positive correlation with all egg physical qualities especially with shell weight and thickness being high and positive, but negative with yolk diameter and albumen height. From the result, Haugh unit, yolk index shell thickness, body weight had positive, moderate to high association with egg number in Bovan Brown (BB) than in Lohmann Brown where these traits had negative correlation with egg number. It is significant to deduce that Bovan Brown (BB) performed better in most of these traits of economic significance.