Analysis of Egg Shape of Chickens

Abstract

Egg shapes for 1st and second position eggs of 2 clutches from 786 pullets were measured and treated by analysis of variance and covariance. Represented were the U. of California production-bred, flock, 8 inbred lines and crosses between the inbred lines. Interest centered on heritability of egg shapes, correlation of egg shape with egg wt., and a study of the genetic structure as a whole in relation to environment. In addition to heritability estimates, the analysis provided evidence for sex linkage and for differences between inbred and crossed lines.