Nasir Mukhtar Phd

Avian Comb Size and Body Weight: Traits for Progeny Selection Nasir Mukhtar Phd

Poultry breeding and genetic has progressed sharply on molecular basis but the importance of ornamental traits are still important for progeny selection. The Comb size and body weight are reliable visual traits for selection of progeny because these traits has strong relation with their productive and reproductive traits. Comb is important indicator of bird's immunity, health and production status. Male comb size is highly heritable trait but female is moderate to high heritable trait. The male comb size has a higher genetic influence on egg laying performance than female's own comb size. It was suggested that male comb size at 16th week can be used to select for early maturity and egg number and comb size at 29th week for egg mass. Genetics studies of threshold body weight at onset of lay in poultry showed that this trait had moderate habitability. Low body weight birds in a flock have been found to commence lay later and lay fewer eggs than medium or high weight hens.