Comparative Study on the Production, Performance and Various Eggs Characteristic of Rhode Island Red and Plymouth Rock Poultry Breeds

Abstract

A comparative study was conducted at Arain Farm in Nasarpur, Sindh during to January 2024 to March 2024. Objective: To assess the production performance and egg quality of Plymouth Rock and Rhode Island Red chickens. Methods: A total of 105 birds (50 females and 5 males per breed) were selected for the study. The birds were divided into 10 groups, with 5 groups per breed. The chickens were fed layer feed L5, and various parameters including feed conversion ratio, egg weight, egg production, and egg quality characteristics were measured. Results: The results revealed that Rhode Island Red chickens showed higher egg weight and production, as well as more efficient feed utilization per kilogram of egg weight and per dozen eggs compared to Plymouth Rock chickens. Rhode Island Red chickens also exhibited higher values for yolk weight, shell weight, albumin weight, breaking strength, yolk index, and shell thickness. Haugh unit values did not differ significantly between the two breeds. Conclusions: Rhode Island Red chickens demonstrated superior production performance and egg quality characteristics in the Nasarpur region of Sindh.