XXIII.—Sexual Maturity in Brown Leghorns. The Interactions of Genotype and Environment

Abstract

In each of three years studied, the spring hatching period for a flock of Brown Leghorns has been divided into two sub-periods such that a number of matings are represented by offspring in each sub-period. Analysis of variance of age at sexual maturity reveals statistical interaction between family means and hatching period, the ranking of family means varying with date of hatch. Consequences of this are discussed with reference to current methods of correcting age at maturity for date of hatch, the method of multiple shift progeny testing, and the general question of improvement by selection in the presence of non-additive combinations of genetic and environmental effects.Measurements of comb growth in maturing pullets reveal a seasonal retardation, possibly reflecting retardation in sexual maturity, and in line with environmental effects causing cessation of production in older birds. It is suggested that rapid changes in day length during September and October may play a large part in determining the retardtions and interactions displayed, and that measurements of comb growth may be of value in recognising consistently superior genotypes for age at sexual maturity.