74 MASS. EXPERIMENT STATION BULLETIN 315 



DEPARTMENT OF POULTRY HUSBANDRY 



J. C. Graham in Charge 



Broodiness in Poultry. (F. A. Hays.) Particular attention is now being given 

 to the problem of deferred broodiness beyond the first laying year. Data published 

 in Bulletin 301 indicate that genetically non-broody strains can not be established 

 without testing both males and lemales for genetic purity for the recessive non- 

 broody genes. A few aged males and a number of aged females are now on hand 

 that are believed to breed true for non-broodiness. Progress is also being made 

 in the study of inherited degree of broodiness. The flock as a whole has fallen 

 to a new low level for broodiness. 



Breeding Poultry for Egg Production. (F. A. Hays and Ruby Sanborn.) Such 

 physical defects as light plumage color, white ear lobe, stubs, and wavy or lopped 

 comb are being given special consideration in the flock. Broodiness has fallen 

 to a new low level, and egg size has reached a level above 24 ounces for the year. 

 Range mortality is low, but laying-house mortality runs high. The production- 

 bred birds are very heavy in weight and exceed standard requirements for the 

 breed. Fecundity characters are being maintained and production is high with 

 good hatchability. 



Statistical Study of Heredity in Rhode Island Reds. (F. A. Hays and Ruby 

 Sanborn.) Data have been prepared under this project and published as follows: 

 "Breeding for Egg Production," Bulletin 307; "Character of Female Offspring 

 of Rhode Island Red Inbred Males Compared with Female Offspring of Non- 

 Inbred Males," Poultry Science (in press); "Effects of Inbreeding on Fecundity 

 in Rhode Island Reds," Bulletin 312; and "Time Interval to Standard Egg 

 Weight in Rhode Island Red Pullets," Bulletin 313. 



A Genetic Study of Rhode Island Red Color. (F. A. Hays.) A report on a five- 

 year study of crosses between production and exhibition birds in relation to 

 plumage color and fecundity characters is ready for publication. Birds are being 

 bred for color alone, and a line of exhibition-bred birds is being bred for high 

 fecundity. More detailed study is now being given to the component parts of 

 Rhode Island Red plumage color. 



Determination of Genetic Laws Concerning Results of Inbreeding. (F. A. 



Hays.) This project has been terminated and the results published in Bulletin 

 312. 



Factors Affecting Egg Weight and Shell Character in Domestic Fowl. (F. A. 



Hays.) For the mating season of 1934, breeding females were selected on the 

 following bases: Line 1, pullets reaching 24-ounce egg weight in 61 to 90 days; 

 Line 2, pullets reaching 24-ounce egg weight in 31 to 60 days; Line 3, pullets 

 reaching 24-ounce egg weight in to 30 days. Previous to this the selection of 

 breeding pullets was on the ability to lay 52-, 57-, or 59-gram eggs, respectively, 

 for the month of December. Full brothers are still used in the three mating pens. 

 Characteristic size, shape, and color of eggs has been studied in the three lines 

 and the results will soon be interpreted and published. 



Rate of Feathering in Rhode Island Reds. (F. A. Hays.) Preliminary studies 

 have been carried on, on all pedigreed chicks since 1931. In the spring of 1934 

 two males that were completely feathered in the back region at eight weeks of 

 age and two males with backs bare at eight weeks were used for breeding. All 



