Egg production and quality of kedu chicken based on plumage color reared intensively

Abstract

The purpose of this research was to evaluate egg production and quality of Kedu
chicken based on plumage color that reared intensively. The materials of research were 30 Kedu hens on eight month of age maintained for egg production. Kedu chickens were consisted of : 6 Cemani Kedu chickens, 6 black Kedu chickens, 6 red Kedu chickens, 6 white Kedu chickens, and 6 striped Kedu chickens. Experimental method used was Completely Random Design with five treatments, i.e. cemani Kedu chicken, black Kedu chicken, red Kedu chicken, white Kedu chicken, and striped Kedu chicken. Each treatment had six replications. Observed variable were egg production performance (egg number, clutch size and egg weight) and egg quality (density of eggshell, eggshell color, and specific gravity.). Data analyzed with analysis of variance and continued with Honest Significant Difference Test (HSD). Analysis of variance showed that plumage color of Kedu hen had no significant effect on egg production, egg weight and clutch size. The average of egg production was 25.39±5.44 during one period, clutch size was 3.43±0.69 and egg weight was 46.30±9.26 g. Egg quality consisted of density of eggshell, eggshell color, and specific gravity, on various Kedu chicken types showed significant differences (P<0.05). Black Kedu chicken had thicker eggshell (0.383 mm)than the others that had density between 0.36-0.37 mm. Red Kedu chicken had eggshell color more brownish (2.47) than the others. Highest specific gravity was on striped Kedu chicken, it was 1.09. In conclusion, egg production performance of Kedu chickens was similar regardless of plumage color, but egg quality was different.