Genetic and Phenotypic Correlations Between Feather Pecking Behavior, Stress Response, Immune Response, and Egg Quality Traits in Laying Hens

• DOI: 10.1093/ps/83.7.1077
• Publication Date: 2014-02-07T01:53:59Z
• Authors: A.J. Buitenhuis; T.B. Rodenburg; P.H. Wissink; J. Visscher; P. Koene; H. Bovenhuis; B.J. Ducro; J.J. van der Poel
• Keywords: Feather pecking; Antibody response; Litter

The objective of the current study was to estimate genetic and phenotypic correlations among feather pecking (FP) behavior stress response, immune egg quality parameters. These traits have been measured in an F2 cross, coming from a cross between high low FP line laying hens. Heritabilities (h2) response (32 wk), primary keyhole limpet hemocyanin (KLH) (36 wk) Mycobacterium butyricum (39 parameters (35, 44, 50 wk age) were calculated. h2 0.05 ± (SE) for 0.15 0.07 antibody KLH, 0.08 0.06 M. butyricum. range 0.12 0.30. Significant found gentle adult hens weight at 44 wk, deformation wk. additive severe KLH (0.79 0.35), ground (0.63 0.26), eggshell strength 35, age (-0.86 0.29, -0.81 0.20, -0.76 0.24, respectively).