Two local strains of chickens selected two generations for increasing egg
number up to 40 wks of age (lnshas strain) and egg weight at 40 wks of age (Silver
Montazah strain) were used to study the changes in egg number and egg weight
after selection and estimating correlated responses and genetic parameters of some
economic traits. The results of selection for egg number at 40 wks of age showed
significant differences between selected and control lines as well as among
generations. The realized and expected response were 15.2 and 5.33 eggs over two
generations. The direct selection for egg weight at 40 wks of age showed also highly
significant differences among generations as well as selected and control lines.
Moreover, the realized and expected response were 3.70 and 3.19gm over two
generations. Heritability estimates for egg number at 40 wks of lnshas strain based on
sire, dam and sire plus dam components of variance were 0.2, 0.32 and 029,
respectively, the corresponding estimates of egg weight at 40 wks of age in Silver
Montazah strain were 0.52, 0.92 and 0.72, respectively. Negative genetic and
phenotypic correlations were observed between egg number at 40 wks of age and
age at sexual maturity, duration period of the first ten eggs, egg weight and feed
conversion. However, positive correlations between egg weight at 40 wks of age and
body weight at sexual maturity, age at sexual maturity, duration period of the first ten
eggs and egg mass, while negative correlations with egg number and feed conversion
were detected.
Generally, according to the results of the present experiment, it could be
noticed that selection for increasing egg number at 40 wks of age in lnshas strain
increased egg number and egg mass as well as improved feed conversion and
reduced age at sexual maturity and duration period of the first ten eggs. However,
selection for high egg weight at 40 wks in Silver Montazah strain increased egg
weight, egg mass, age at sexual maturity and duration period of the first ten eggs, and
improved body weight and feed conversion. Finally, selection program is suggested to
be put to improve the egg productive performance of lnshas strain (as a new local
strain) and crossing it with Silver Montazah strain to produce a commercial hybrid
used in rural production.