Genetic Control of Lymphomatosis in the Fowl

Abstract

An expt. was done to determine the feasibility of breeding strains of fowls resistant to lymphomatosis. The procedure was to have all chicks pedigreed, produce a natural exposure to lymphomatosis, maintain a uniform environment at every age from the egg on, and select for breeding the sires and dams whose production of the most resistant families has been proved, together with promising untested birds from those same families. No birds were culled from the flock because of small size, low egg production, or ill health. There was a reduction of deaths from lymphomatosis and other neoplasms to 2-7% in the offspring of proved sires and there was a reduction of mortality from all causes by 2/3, as well as an improvement in economic characters. Two strains highly resistant to lymphomatosis have been developed. Both are more than satisfactory with respect to egg production, egg size, and body size. The disease can be controlled genetically.