Comparison of the productive performances of the Sinai Bedouin fowl, the white leghorn and their crossbreds: Study under natural desert conditions

Abstract

1. The productive performances of the Sinai Bedouin fowl, the commercial White Leghorn and their reciprocal crossbreds were compared under natural desert conditions in the Sinai peninsula.

2. Seasonal temperature changes did not affect egg weight of any of the breeds or crosses, but laying rate of all was considerably reduced under heat wave conditions and that of Sinai and Sinai x Leghorn decreased during winter, probably due to the short photoperiod.

3. Egg production of the Leghorn was poor compared with that in normal conditions.

4. The Leghorn was the most vulnerable to heat stress, mortality was 24% during two heat waves.

5. The results suggest that the Sinai breed and its crosses are more resistant to the extreme conditions of the desert environment. This feature might be used in the future selection of heat tolerant breeds.