ABSTRACT

The egg is both the origin and the end product of poultry production. The fertile egg which is capable of incubation and hatching is obviously the origin of a new generation of chickens, while the table egg which ends up in the breakfast table can be regarded as an end product (Obioha 1992) There is an overwhelming need for protein in the world because of the role it plays in human and animal performance in terms of building up tissues, maintenances, Jepairs and replacement of worn-out tissue in the body. Poultry is believed to rank above all other domestic animals with regards to its protein content and availab:lity to man. Poultry also rank above other livestock in terms of the rate of growth, particularly broiler breeds which have proved t9 perform better than any other breed of birds in muscle development. Hence broilers is noted for its commendable performance to serve human need of protein as table birds. Broilers are meat type chickens that have been developed or specially bred for rapid growth and marketing at an early age. Its importance can not be over emphasised considering the importance of protein in the diets of the populace. It's importance coupled with the availability of genetically superior chicks developed through selection and breeding have made broiler producton a source of assured income. According to Adeyinka et q/ (2000), og size is known to have a positive effect on the growth or subsequent weights of domestic fowls. Thus in the fowl, 2 egg weight has been reported to determined the early growth of the chicks it produces. Growth functions have been used extensively to represent changes in size with age, so that the genetic potential of animals for growth can be evaluated and nutritionally, matched to possible growth (Lopez et al, 2000)