Abstract
A breeding program for increasing parthenogenetic development, based on the progeny test method, was initiated in 1954. More than 42,000 eggs from 926 Beltsville Small White virgin turkey hens were involved in this 9-year study. A marked increase in incidence of parthenogenesis, particularly of the more highly organized type, has resulted. Parthenogenetic development was observed in 16.7% of the eggs tested in 1952, in 41.7% in 1959. In 1952, embryos were encountered in 0.2% of all eggs whereas in 1959 11.7% of the eggs were so classified. Of 44 embryos found in 1954, 4 or 9% survived until 21-28 days of incubation; in 1960, 87 of 277 or 31.4% did so. Since 1956 a total of 67 embryos, all males, have survived to hatching, a few reaching maturity. Three males produced spermatozoa and one sired offspring.