Factorial Analysis to Investigate the Effect of different Housing System, Incubators type and Bird Species on the Size of Egg

Abstract

This research work investigates the effect of different housing system, incubator types and bird species on the size of an egg; it examines which of the incubators, housing system and species of birds contribute most to the size of an egg; and derives model for obtaining the possible optimal size of egg for the best bird species. A 3X3 factorial design was used in the data analysis to establish if different Housing system, incubators type and, Bird species contribute to the size of an egg; LSD, scheffer, Bonferroni and Response Surface methodology were employed to determine which of the housing system, incubators and bird species contribute most to the size of egg and a derived multiple regression model were obtained to know the optimal size of an egg for the best bird species. Data analyses were carried out, and the results showed that Housing system, Incubator types, and bird species have effect on the size of an egg. However, Hovabator, Cage System, and Broiler Breeder are the best Incubators, Housing system, and the best Bird species respectively are recommended. The derived model for egg size was obtained as: Y_opt = 99.55806 + 0.534507I + 0.499052H + 3.248082S – 0.167206IH – 0.965228IS – 0.578039HS + 0.247904IHS. Hence, to get an optimal egg size of 106.28 grams, Hovabator, Cage System, and Broiler Breeder are to be used.