PHYSICAL QUALITY CHARACTERISTICS OF INDIGENOUS DUCK EGGS OF KERALA

Abstract

Kerala is one of the few states in the Indian Union, where duck eggs fetch more price than chicken eggs. Indigenous ducks constitute 95 per cent of the total duck population in Kerala. Among these, Chara and Chemballi have been identified as distinct local varieties with good egg production potential. Farmers express satisfaction with these indigenous varieties than the exotic breeds because of their good egg size, hardiness and ease of management. Basic research works to characterise these two varieties are in progress. Attempts have been made to compare the physical quality characteristics of eggs from these two varieties viz. , Chara and Chemballi ducks and is reported hereunder