82 



TECHNICAL BULLETIN 7 

 General Sum:marv and Deductions 



The means for the broodies ;ind non-broodies for the three rates and for 

 winter and annual production for the ciaht-year period are as follows: — 



1. Birds carrying the broody trait lay at a slightly higher rate when they 

 are laying than do non-broody birds. This characteristic is oliservable in both 

 December records and in winter records. 



2. A much more intimate correlation between tlie presence of broodiness 

 and high December intensity was observed in the 1916 flock than in tlie 1923 

 flock. This difference may prol)ably be attributed to changes in sexual ma- 

 turity and to the time of onset and termination of winter pause. 



3. Intensity for the winter period is rather intimately correlated with the 

 presence of broodiness. Such a relationship is observed in the total po]mla- 

 tion for the eight years, in the 1916 flock and in the 1923 flock. 



4. Degree of broodiness is not correlated with either December rate or 

 winter rate. 



5. The degree of correlation between broodiness and high annual rate is 

 constant but negative and significant. 



6. Degree of broodiness may be measured with equal accuracy by number 

 of broody periods or by total days broody during the pullet year. 



7. "Winter rate and annual rate are distinctly positively correlated. 



8. Tlie duration of the ))roody period is somewhat lessened as the number 

 of periods increases. 



9. Correlation between the presence of Ijroodiness and winter production 

 above the average is negligible when all the birds are considered ()\er the 

 eight-year period. There is a significant positive correlation for the 1916 flock 

 and probably a slight correlation within the 1923 flock. 



10. The mean winter egg record of broodies is not significantly greater 

 than that of non-broodies. 



11. Annual egg production is significantly negatively correlated with 

 l)roodiness in the total population studied; to a very minor degree in tiie 1916 

 flock; and to a rather moderate degree in the 1923 flock. 



12. The elimination of broodiness has had but little significance in breed- 

 ing for high winter production but a pronounced significance in breeding f"i- 

 hisi'li annual records. 



