A Study of the Inheritance of Feed Utilization Efficiency in the Growing Domestic Fowl

Abstract

MODERN trends in poultry production have clearly emphasized the need for research on the efficiency of feed utilization in the domestic fowl. Feed cost is the largest single item of cost and amounts to 50 percent or more of the expense in rearing chickens. Consequently, if it is possible to develop strains of chickens that require even as little as 10 percent less feed than present strains, it would amount to a sizable saving to the poultry industry. With this in mind, the present research was initiated. The chief purpose was to determine whether the efficiency of feed utilization in meat production in the domestic fowl is inherited, and whether or not it is possible to develop strains of chickens that will excell others in their ability to utilize feed more efficiently. The efficiency of feed utilization is a very involved phenomenon that is influenced by a great number of . . .