Abstract
Selection for fast and slow hatching time for a single generation in five replicates resulted in significant direct responses in hatching time. The realized heritability estimates varied from .10 to .34 over replicates with a mean value of .19 ± .02. No significant correlated responses were observed in embryo weight at 14 days of incubation or in chick body weight at hatching, measured on the progeny of the selected parents for the first generation. Previous results in single replicate experiments where a theoretical estimate of the random genetic drift error was used in the tests, indicated significant correlated responses in embryo and chick weight. It is suggested that replicated experiments such as the present one provide an empirical estimate of the error including random genetic drift which would be more accurate as a tester for line differences. No significant differences between the selected lines were observed for egg weight, adult body weight, age at 50% production, rate of lay, or hatchability when these means were measured on the selected parents. It is concluded that there is no evidence of genetic correlations between hatching time and any of the other traits measured in the egg production strains studied.
Published Version
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call