Interactions of genotype and environment in determining sexual maturity in the domestic fowl.

Abstract

Sexual maturity data of 1762 pullets from four differently bred flocks a t the Poultry Research Centre, Werribee, were examined for interaction between genotype for age at sexual maturity and the environment as represented by different hatching dates. Interaction was significant in two of the flocks studied and there was some interaction, though not significant, in the other flocks. Progressively later hatching caused significant increases in age at maturity in all flocks, but large differences in sexual maturity between sire families did not occur. The occurrence of interaction in other flocks and its effects on current poultry breeding methods are discussed. It is concluded that interactions of the order of those reported in this paper are not of a sufficient magnitude to warrant revision of present methods.