The Inheritance of Certain Characters Affecting Egg Quality

Abstract

THE possible inheritance of egg quality was recognized by Benjamin (1914) when he wrote “certain hens probably have an inherited tendency to produce eggs of inferior quality.” With regard to interior quality, Holst and Almquist (1931) presented evidence that percentage of firm white in the egg is a characteristic dependent on the individual hen. Lorenz, Taylor, and Almquist (1934) illustrated this individuality further and demonstrated the inheritance of this character. They suggested that factors for low percentage of firm white were dominant to those for high percentage of firm white. This paper presents additional evidence on this point as well as data indicating a genetic basis for other characters affecting interior egg quality. MATERIALS AND METHODS The birds used were S.C. White Leghorns of the Cornell Experiment Station flock, and were fed and managed under uniform conditions. An all-mash ration was used. The determinations for these characters in the eggs . . .