Genotype-Environment Interactions in Egg Production Stocks of Chickens

Abstract

NUMEROUS reports involving genotype-environment interactions in egg production stocks of chickens were summarized by Tindell et al. (1967). Their study and those reviewed devoted considerable attention to the interaction of stock by location. Interactions of stocks with other specific environmental factors have received little attention. Significant strain by protein level interactions for egg production were reported by Harms and Waldroup (1962); Moreng et al. (1964); Deaton and Quisenberry (1965); Harms et al. (1966). The importance of such interactions could influence poultry breeding programs. This study is the second in a series conducted by participants in the Southern Regional Poultry Breeding Project (S-57) to determine the importance of genotype-environment interactions in egg production stocks. It was conducted to provide additional information concerning the importance of stock by location and stock by trial interactions for various egg production traits. In addition, two protein levels were included to evaluate the importance of stock…