LONGITUDINAL STUDY ON EGG LAYING PATTERNS AND MORTALITY RATES OF FAYOUMI, ALBALADY, AND BLACK AUSTRALORP BREEDS IN NARC, PAKISTAN

Abstract

The objective of this study was to evaluate egg laying performance and mortality rates of three poultry breeds (Fayoumi, Albalady and Black Australorp) under standardized conditions at the National Agricultural Research Centre (NARC), Islamabad, Pakistan. The hens were observed during a 52-week period over a total of 300 hens with 100 individuals from each breed. Those parameters that were assessed were weekly egg production, cumulative egg production, average egg weight, feed intake, and mortality. Both productivity and survivability were also found to be breed specific. The lowest mortality rate (4%), and the highest laying persistence as shown throughout the study, indicates that the Fayoumi breed is able to adapt to localized environmental and nutritional condition. Fayoumi hens laid consistently as one of the smallest sized and lightest egg weight laying, making them perfect for resource limited or backyard poultry systems. However, Black Australorp hens produced the biggest total number of eggs per bird but the egg weights significantly outweighed others.’ Although, they exhibited a slightly increased mortality rate (7%), possibly from being less heat tolerant or more environmentally sensitive. In all parameters, leninalady hens showed intermediate performance having moderate egg production and 6% mortality rate, indicating balanced traits which may be applied to semi-commercial farming models. They emphasize the need to choose the breed according to production objective, local climate conditions, and availability of resources. For maximum output under well controlled environment, Black Australorp can be prioritised but Fayoumi hens for sustainability and resilience. Albalady hens are balanced between the two extremes. These insights provide important information for national poultry development strategies suitable to smallholder farmers seeking to increase productivity and profits through breed specific management practices.