VI—Dominance in poultry

Abstract

The following is a preliminary report of an experiment which the author has been conducting since 1929, intended to throw light on the nature of the dominance observed in certain well-marked breed characteristics in domestic poultry. The experiment is not yet completed. Consequently, while there are some results which scarcely admit of doubt, there are others on which I should not choose at present to speak with confidence. The resolution of questions at present doubtful, as well as the full confirmation of conclusions which may already fairly be drawn, will require, and should be possible in, two further years’ experimentation. The present paper is therefore confined to those factors for which the situation seems to be already elucidated. I propose to defer discussion of the four factors responsible for feathered feet, pile or “ dominant white ” plumage, rose comb, and black internal pigment, and to give detailed data at present only for the three factors responsible for crest, polydactyly, and barred plumage.