Continuous selection for egg production using short-term records

1963 ◽  
Vol 14 (6) ◽  
pp. 909 ◽  
Author(s):  
JA Morris
Keyword(s):  
Genetic Correlation ◽  
Egg Production ◽  
Continuous Selection ◽  
Total Production ◽  
White Leghorn ◽  
Short Term ◽  
Selection For ◽  
Residual Performance ◽  
Actual Response ◽  
Selection Differentials

A closed flock of White Leghorn has been selected for high egg production, since 1947. Selection has always been based on performance achieved from date of first egg until May 31 (part-period test). Selection has been effective in providing gains of approximately three eggs per generation for the part-period and, at the end of the experiment, there is no evidence that the rate of gain has lessened. Total 72-weeks egg production increased during the earlier years of selection but seems to have plateaued subsequently. This leveling off of total production is due to a decline in performance for the period June 1 to 72 weeks of age. The magnitude of this decline is sufficient to offset the gain in the part-period. Annual selection differentials were calculated for the later years, and generally the realized selection differentials were the same size as that intended, which indicated that natural selection was not opposed to the direction of artificial selection. The estimates of heritability of part-period production index show no decline as a result of selection; the actual response observed during the last years of selection supports the contention of absence of such a decline. Although it cannot be statistically confirmed, there are indications that the genetic correlation between part-period and residual performance has decreased in value with the progression of selection. The size of the correlated decline in the residual production suggests not only a reduction in value of the genetic correlation but also a change of sign. The results obtained imply that continuous selection, based on egg production for the part-period, may be an unrewarding procedure; and that selection based on other characters, favourably correlated genetically with total production, might be more effective in providing genetic gain in total production.

The effect of mild inbreeding in two lines of White Leghorn

1962 ◽  
Vol 13 (2) ◽  
pp. 362 ◽  
Author(s):  
JA Morris
Keyword(s):  
Egg Production ◽  
Adult Stage ◽  
Random Mating ◽  
Continuous Selection ◽  
Differential Sensitivity ◽  
Time Of Death ◽  
White Leghorn ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Selection For ◽  
June July

The reaction of two flocks of White Leghorn to slow inbreeding has been examined. One flock, the M line, has been subject to continuous selection for egg production or an associated character since 1947, and the other, the C line, has been propagated by means of random mating without artificial selection for a corresponding period. Mean inbreeding, as measured by Wright's coefficient (F), increased steadily in both flocks to reach a maximum of 25.1% in the M line and 16.2% in the C line. Significant intra-year regressions of survivors' production (72 weeks), hatchability of fertile eggs, and egg production during the winter months of June–July, on computed F values, were observed for both lines. In addition, significant regressions for the 72-week production index, age at first egg, and pauses during June–July were observed for the M line. Viability of chickens, both during early rearing (hatching date to 3½ weeks of age) and during adult stage (approximately 20 weeks to 72 weeks of age), was not affected by small changes in degree of inbreeding. Intra-year regressions on F of age at death and production up to time of death were non-significant for both lines. Highly significant differences between yearly regressions of egg production, and pauses during the two winter months, on F values were observed. These differences could indicate a differential sensitivity of response to inbreeding associated with seasonal adversity. It was not possible to substantiate the existence of a differential response to a stress factor when mortality during a severe heat wave was examined, as the mean computed F value of birds dying was not significantly greater than the corresponding F value of survivors. The stress was reasonably severe, as 15.4% of all birds died within a couple of days.

Genetic parameters for egg weight v. age curve, and other egg production and egg weight traits, in synthetic lines of chickens

1983 ◽  
Vol 34 (1) ◽  
pp. 85 ◽  
Author(s):  
BH Yoo ◽  
BL Sheldon ◽  
RN Podger
Keyword(s):  
Standard Deviation ◽  
Genetic Correlation ◽  
Egg Production ◽  
Genetic Parameters ◽  
Genetic Correlations ◽  
Egg Mass ◽  
Control Line ◽  
Egg Weight ◽  
Egg Number ◽  
Selection For

An exponential curve, W = P-Qexp(- Rt), where W is egg weight at age t, was fitted to egg weights of individual pullets, and genetic parameters were estimated for P, Q and R, the residual standard deviation and other egg weight and egg production characters. The data consisted of records collected over six generations on more than 4000 pullets in two selection lines and a control line which originated from a synthetic gene pool of White Leghorn x Australorp crosses. The half-sib and offspring-on-parent regression estimates of heritability pooled over the lines were 0.23 and 0.33 for P, 0.14 and 0.20 for Q, and 0.14 and 0.25 for R. Genetic correlations were estimated to be -0.10 between P and Q, -0.46 between P and R, and 0.90 between Q and R. These estimates suggest that the egg weight v. age curve may be modified to increase the proportion of eggs in desirable weight grades and reduce the incidence of oversized eggs later in the production year. The genetic correlation between mean weight of first 10 eggs and egg weight at 62 weeks of age was estimated to be 0.68, further suggesting that early egg weight may be improved partly independently of late egg weight. The heritability estimates of egg mass output were not higher than those of egg number in spite of the highly heritable average egg weight being an important component of egg mass, probably because of the negative genetic correlation (r = -0.49) between egg number and average egg weight. The standard deviation of individual pullet's egg weights was moderately heritable and genetically correlated positively with egg weight characters and negatively with egg production; these estimates were consistent with the responses to selection for reduced egg weight variability observed elsewhere

EFFECT OF SELECTION ON FEED UTILIZATION AND CARCASS SCORE EN SWINE

1970 ◽  
Vol 50 (3) ◽  
pp. 575-584 ◽  
Author(s):  
C. BERNARD ◽  
M. H. FAHMY
Keyword(s):  
Body Weight ◽  
Genetic Correlation ◽  
Genetic Improvement ◽  
Body Weight Gain ◽  
Feed Utilization ◽  
Phenotypic Correlation ◽  
Population Selection ◽  
Yorkshire Pigs ◽  
Selection For ◽  
Selection Differentials

Selection for feed utilization (FU) and carcass score (CS) based on full sib performance was practiced within three lines of Yorkshire pigs during ten generations. Line 1 was selected solely for FU, line 2 for CS and line 3 for the two traits combined in an index. Line 2 served as a control for lines 1 and 3 in FU and line 1 as a control for lines 2 and 3 in CS. Feed utilization was expressed as the amount of feed required per kilogram body weight gain. Carcass score was based on length, backfat thickness, loin eye area and belly grade measured on pigs marketed at 90 kg liveweight. Selection differentials for FU averaged 0.198 and 0.208 kg per generation for lines 1 and 3, respectively, while CS differentials were 7.2 and 7.4 points per generation for lines 2 and 3, respectively. Heritability estimates based on full sib performance and converted to individual bases were 0.16 for FU and 0.43 for CS. The phenotypic correlation between the two traits was −0.25 and the genetic correlation −0.55. Responses to selection for FU were 0.09 and 0.24 kg per generation for lines 1 and 3, respectively, while for CS they were 0.77 and 0.97 points for lines 2 and 3, respectively. Compared with the parental means, this represented a genetic improvement of 0.25 and 0.66% per generation for FU in lines 1 and 3, and 1.06 and 1.33% per generation for CS in lines 2 and 3, respectively. The realized responses in lines 1 and 3 to selection for FU Were 58 and 148% of the expectation, and 58 and 72% for lines 2 and 3 in CS. Due to larger selection differentials in line 3, along with a strong positive genetic correlation between the two traits observed in this particular population, selection for the combined traits was 1.35 and 1.10% more effective in improving FU and CS, respectively, than selection for these traits individually.

scholarly journals Two-way selection for body weight in Tribolium on two levels of nutrition

1967 ◽  
Vol 9 (3) ◽  
pp. 309-330 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. T. Hardin ◽  
A. E. Bell
Keyword(s):  
Genetic Correlation ◽  
Genetic Parameters ◽  
Genetic Parameter ◽  
Minimum Size ◽  
Direct Selection ◽  
Correlated Responses ◽  
Larval Weight ◽  
Large Size ◽  
Selection For ◽  
Selection Differentials

Parameters necessary for predicting direct and correlated responses for large and small 13-day larval weight in T. castaneum on two levels of nutrition were estimated in the base population. Larval weight in the GOOD environment was approximately twice that observed in POOR. Heritabilities (estimated from the ratio of sire component to total phenotype variance) of larval weight on the two rations were similar, 0·21 ± 0·06 and 0·19 ± 0·05 for GOOD and POOR, respectively. Heritabilities based on dam-offspring covariances were similar to these, but those obtained from full-sib covariances were much larger (0·97 ± 0·07 for GOOD and 0·69 ± 0·07 for POOR). This suggested that considerable dominance rather than maternal effects were present. The genetic correlation between growth on GOOD and growth on POOR was estimated as + 0·60 ± 0·21.The selection experiment was replicated four times with each replication extending over eight generations. Good agreement between predicted and observed values for direct selection was observed for large selection in both environments and small selection in POOR. However, response to small selection in GOOD was significantly greater than predicted in all four replications and was associated with increased selection differentials. Realized heritabilities were approximately the same for both directions in GOOD yet asymmetrical responses occurred for all replications due to unequal selection differentials. On the other hand, realized heritabilities were asymmetrical in POOR. Those observed for small selection were more than twice the size of those calculated for large lines. However, the responses in POOR were symmetrical since the selection differentials varied inversely with the realized heritabilities.Because of the asymmetry observed for heritabilities and selection differentials, correlated responses were poorly predicted. The average effective genetic correlation between growth in GOOD and growth in the POOR environment agreed remarkably well with the base estimate, yet asymmetry of the genetic correlation was a consistent phenomenon with values for the large lines being less than the base parameter while small lines were uniformly larger.Asymmetries of the various genetic parameters were not anticipated from base estimates. They were not caused by sampling or chance fluctuations since all four replications were remarkably consistent. Asymmetry for any one genetic parameter (e.g. heritability) was associated with a particular environment or direction of selection while other genetic parameters reacted asymmetrically in populations exposed to a different set of environmental treatments.For maximum performance in a single environment, these results show that selection should be practiced in that environment. With regard to mean performance in GOOD and POOR environments, selection for large size in POOR gave some 25% more gain than selection in GOOD. Selection for small size in either environment was equally effective in obtaining minimum size in both environments.

Sire × hatching season interaction in egg production traits within flocks of domestic fowl

1979 ◽  
Vol 30 (5) ◽  
pp. 991
Author(s):  
BH Yoo ◽  
BL Sheldon
Keyword(s):  
Domestic Fowl ◽  
Variance Component ◽  
Egg Production ◽  
Production Traits ◽  
White Leghorn ◽  
Egg Weight ◽  
Sib Families ◽  
Selection For ◽  
Efficiency Of Selection ◽  
Season Interaction

The extent of sire x hatching season interaction in egg production characters has been studied in White Leghorn, Australorp and Synthetic flocks in which half-sib families bred from the same sires were mated largely to the same dams for spring and autumn hatchings. Interaction appeared to be more important in White Leghorn and Synthetic than in Australorp. The estimate of variance component for interaction was not consistent among the three flocks, and it was important only in certain flocks for different characters: age at first egg, part-annual hen-housed production (PHP), and egg weight at 34 and 62 (EWL) weeks of age in Synthetic; and annual survivors' production and egg specific gravity at 62 weeks of age (SGL) in White Leghorn. Comparison of within-season and across-seasons heritabilities showed that the former could be on average more than 45% higher than the latter in PHP, EWL, SGL and annual hen-housed production. As the estimates of the genetic correlation coefficient between seasons tend to be below 1.0 for many characters in White Leghorn and Synthetic, the sire x hatching season interaction may need to be taken into account and investigated further to improve the efficiency of selection for egg production.

scholarly journals Keel bone fractures are more prevalent in White Leghorn hens than in Red Jungle fowl hens—A pilot study

PLoS ONE ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 16 (7) ◽  
pp. e0255234
Author(s):  
Käthe Elise Kittelsen ◽  
Pall Gretarsson ◽  
Per Jensen ◽  
Jens Peter Christensen ◽  
Ingrid Toftaker ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Pilot Study ◽  
Egg Production ◽  
Laying Hens ◽  
Bone Fractures ◽  
Laying Hen ◽  
White Leghorn ◽  
Red Jungle Fowl ◽  
White Leghorns ◽  
Selection For

Fractures and deviations to the keel bone are common in commercial laying hens, with reported variations in occurrence across strains and breeds. The aetiology is not fully understood, however, modern genetics and selection for efficient egg production has been claimed to be important factors for the keel bone fractures. To explore this further, we investigated keel bones from two different breeds, representing different degrees of selection for egg production: Red jungle fowl (n = 82), and White Leghorn (n = 32), where the latter is a selected laying breed which is the origin for many modern laying hen hybrids. Keel bones from a total of 116 birds, 53 hens and 63 roosters, were examined by necropsy at 80 weeks of age. All birds were raised in modified aviaries in the same holding facility. Overall, 24.5% of the hens had one or more fractures to the keel, with a difference in the prevalence between hens from the two breeds (p<0.01): 10% (95% CI: 3.7–24%) in the Red Jungle fowl hens and 69% (95% CI: 37–90%) in the White Leghorn hens. No roosters, regardless of breed, had keel bone fractures. Mild to moderate keel bone deviations were present in 54% (95% CI: 25–80%) of the hens and 4.7% (95% CI: 0.5–30%) of the roosters, all White Leghorns.

scholarly journals No evidence that selection for egg production persistency causes loss of bone quality in laying hens

2021 ◽  
Vol 53 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ian C. Dunn ◽  
Dirk-Jan De Koning ◽  
Heather A. McCormack ◽  
Robert H. Fleming ◽  
Peter W. Wilson ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Rhode Island ◽  
Bone Quality ◽  
Egg Production ◽  
Breaking Strength ◽  
Genetic Correlations ◽  
Egg Laying ◽  
White Leghorn ◽  
Medullary Bone ◽  
Selection For

Abstract Background The physiological adaptations that have evolved for egg laying make hens susceptible to bone fractures and keel bone damage. In modern laying hen breeds, longer periods of egg laying could result in a greater risk of poor bone quality, and selection for increased egg production has frequently been stated to be a cause. However, the existing literature does not support this hypothesis. To test the hypothesis that egg production is associated with quality, breaking strength and density of bone, genetic correlations between these traits were estimated in White Leghorn and Rhode Island Red breeds. Genetic correlations of cortical and medullary bone material chemical properties with bone quality were also estimated, in order to identify methods to improve bone quality with appropriately targeted measurement of key traits. Results Estimates of heritability for bone quality traits were moderate (0.19–0.59) for both White Leghorn and Rhode Island Red breeds, except for the keel bone trait, which had a heritability estimate equal to zero. There was no evidence for genetic or phenotypic relationships between post-peak egg production and bone quality. In the White Leghorn breed, the estimate of the genetic correlation between pre-peak production/age at first egg and bone quality was significant and negative (− 0.7 to − 0.4). Estimates of heritability of thermogravimetric measurements of tibial medullary bone mineralisation were significant (0.18–0.41), as were estimates of their genetic correlations with tibia breaking strength and density (0.6–0.9). Conclusions The low genetic correlation of post-peak egg production with bone quality suggests that selection for increased persistency of egg production may not adversely affect bone quality. Onset of puberty and mineralisation of the medullary bone, which is a specialised adaptation for egg laying, were identified as important factors associated with the quality of the skeleton later during egg production. These are traits for which genetic, as well as environmental and management factors can positively impact the overall quality of the skeleton of laying hens.

scholarly journals INFLUENCE OF B LOCUS BLOOD GROUPS ON ADULT MORTALITY AND EGG PRODUCTION IN THE WHITE LEGHORN CHICKEN

Genetics ◽  
1973 ◽  
Vol 75 (1) ◽  
pp. 181-189
Author(s):  
A W Nordskog ◽  
W A Rishell ◽  
D M Briggs
Keyword(s):  
Natural Selection ◽  
Blood Group ◽  
Egg Production ◽  
Adult Mortality ◽  
Blood Groups ◽  
White Leghorn ◽  
White Leghorn Chicken ◽  
B Locus ◽  
Selection For ◽  
Relative Spread

ABSTRACT The influence of the B locus blood group on adult viability and egg production was studied in two White Leghorn populations (S1 and S2) synthesized from inbred line crosses. Each line segregated for four B alleles. Four homozygotes and six heterozygotes were produced in each line over a five-year period, and for an additional three years tests on certain blood-group combinations were continued. A total of 4371 birds were included in the study. Greatest differences in blood groups were found in the S1 line, with the B2 and B21 alleles seemingly having favorable effects and with B1 having unfavorable effects. The B1 homozygote was consistently the lowest in egg production (53.2%) and highest adult mortality (40.4%). The relative spread in standard deviation units between the B1 and B2 homozygotes was more than three times greater in adult mortality than in egg production; B2 was incompletely dominant to B1. Within the S1 line, the superiority of the heterozygotes was mainly a consequence of the poor fitness of the B1 homozygote, suggesting that in a random-mated population B1 would be maintained only by mutation and not by a polymorphic mechanism.—Over the eight years of the experiment, adult viability of the B1 homozygote improved 4.4% per year (P&lt;0.05). Assuming this regression results from natural selection, either of two hypotheses can account for the results: (1) The B locus is pleiotropic with natural selection for many B modifiers, and (2) the B locus is neutral but linked to a major fitness locus.

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