Table 2.
Effect of genotype on the eggshell colour and egg dimensions at 43 weeks of age of the hens.
| Genotypes 1 | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ER | RM | HB | HW | RMSE | p-Value | |
| Eggshell colour | ||||||
| L | 76.9 Bb | 67.1Cc | 60.2 Dd | 80.3 Aa | 3.51 | <0.0001 |
| a* | 8.6 Cc | 12.3 Bb | 17.1 Aa | 0.3 Dd | 1.92 | <0.0001 |
| b* | 22.2 Cc | 24.7 Bb | 29.0 Aa | 0.3 Dd | 1.92 | <0.0001 |
| Shape index, % | 72.6 Bb | 76.5 Aa | 76.1 Aa | 77.0 Aa | 2.87 | <0.0001 |
| Surface area to volume ratio | 1.28 Aa | 1.26 ABb | 1.23 Cc | 1.25 Bb | 0.0261 | <0.0001 |
Different letters in a row indicate different values. a, b, c, d: p < 0.05; A, B, C, D: p < 0.01. RMSE = Root Mean Squared Error. 1 Genotypes: ER—Ermellinata di Rovigo; RM—Robusta maculata; HB—Hy Line Brown; HW—Hy Line White 36. Observations (n): ER (31); RM (31); HB (30); HW (30).