본 연구는 산란후기에서 토종닭 산란계(KNH)와 하이라인 브란운 산란계(HBH)의 계란 품질을 비교하기 위해 수행되었다. 각 50마리의 KNH (Korean Rhode C, Korean Leghorn F, KNC Yellowish-brown 및 Korean Rhode D의 4원 교배종)와 HBH를 60~64주령까지 실험 케이지에 분배하였다. 실험 종료 시점에 각 그룹에서 30개의 계란을 분석하였다. 본 연구 결과, 난중은 KNH그룹에서 HBH그룹보다 통계적으로 낮았다(P < 0.05). 난각과 난백 중량은 KNH그룹이 HBH그룹보다 낮았으나(P < 0.05), 난황 중량은 KNH그룹에서 HBH그룹보다 높게 나타났다(P < 0.05). 난각의 강도와 두께는 KNH그룹에서 HBH그룹보다 낮았다(P < 0.05). 난형지수는 KNH그룹이 HBH그룹보다 높았다(P<0.05). 난황 지수와 색에서는 그룹 간 통계적 차이가 없었다. 종합적으로, 산란후기 KNH의 계란은 HBH의 계란에 비해 낮은 품질을 보였다. 국내 토종닭의 한정된 계통 숫자로 교배조합 측면에서 한계가 있기 때문에 교배종의 유전능력을 최대로 발현하기 위한 사양관리 차원(육종선발, 영양 등)의 추가적인 연구가 필요하다.
This study evaluated the egg quality of four-way crossbred Korean Native hens (KNH) compared to those of Hyline Brown hens (HBH) in the late laying period. 100, 50 birds from KNH (four-crossbred from Korean Rhode C, Korean Leghorn F, KNC Yellowish-brown, and Korean Rhode D) and HBH were allocated into experimental cages from 60 to 64 wks, respectively. At the end of the experiment, thirty eggs in each group were collected and analyzed. The results showed that the egg weight was statistically (P < 0.05) lower in the KNH group than in the HBH group. Although the lower (P < 0.05) weight of eggshell and albumen in the KNH group was confirmed than in the HBH group, the yolk weight of the KNH group was higher (P < 0.05) than the HBH group. The strength and thickness of the eggshell were significantly (P < 0.05) lower in the KNH group than in the HBH group. The egg shape index of the KNH group was higher (P < 0.05) than the HBH group. There were no statistical differences in the index and color of yolk between groups. These results indicate that the eggs of KNH have lower quality than those of HBH. Accordingly, since the genetic resources of Korean Native chickens are limited in crossbreeding combinations, KNH management (breeding selection, nutrition, etc.) is required for the expression of optimal genetic ability of those.