ANNUAL REPORT, 1930 279 



eggs, an increase of about 16 eggs over any previous flock. Tliis increase 

 was brought about by superior intensity and greater persistency in the 

 flock as a whole. Special attention is being given to improving egg size, 

 reducing mortality rate, and eliminating winter pause. Mean egg size is 

 improved, and the mortality rate for the 1928 flock for the full laying year 

 was 14.85 per cent. Hatching records for the entire flock for the spring 

 of 1929 show 77.7 per cent of fertile eggs hatched; for the spring of 1930 

 the figure was 74.5 per cent. These hatching records show progress, and 

 include only eggs hatched under conditions used in pedigreeing. 



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

 Ruby Sanborn). Annual molt records from 1917 to 1928 were studied 

 statistically and published in Bulletin 264. A paper on linkage relation 

 for genes concerned in fecundity and genes concerned in egg size was 

 prepared for the 4th World's Poultry Congress in London, July, 1930. 

 Studies on time required for pullets to attain standard egg weight were 

 reported at the 1930 Poultry Science meeting at Macdonald College. 



A Genetic Study of Rhode Island Red Color. (F. A. Hays). In this 

 experiment three strains are being developed: One is made up of pure 

 Station stock selected for good color, a second consists of birds true to 

 Standard from an outside source, and the third is made up of hybrids 

 of the other two strains. 



Determination of Genetic Laws Governing Results in Inbreeding Poultry. 



(F. A. Hays). Results of this project up to 1929 were reported in 

 Bulletin 2.'58. In the spring of 1929 the method of experimentation was 

 changed somewhat in that the more rigid standards for selecting founda- 

 tion breeding stock for high fecundity were employed. A new generation 

 was established in 1929 in a special effort to avoid any inherited character- 

 istics inimical to high fecundity. The second generation was produced in 

 the spring of 1930 from half-brother and sister matings. 



Heredity and Environmental Characteristics Affecting Variability in 

 Egg Production. (F. A. Hays). The third generation of pullets in this 

 experiment is now being tested for egg production. There are three 

 rather distinct lines represented with respect to characteristics affecting 

 fecundity. Data should be adequate for publication at the close of the 

 laying year in 1931. 



Factors Affecting Egg Weight and Shell Character in Domestic Fowl. 



(F. A. Hays). Complete egg weight records from first pullet egg to 

 January 1 are available on 2100 birds hatched in 1927, 1928, and 19"2f). 

 Records on the weight of every egg laid by 500 females during their first 

 laying year are also available. The third generation of birds in the small, 

 medium and large egg groups was hatched in 1930. Sufficient data should 

 be available for publication at the close of 1931. The application of 

 methods already reported has produced improvement in egg size for the 

 flock as a whole. 



Relation of Intensity or Rate of Laying to Feather Pigmentation. (F 



A. Hays). Results of this project are being prepared for publication. 



