A biometrical study of the mortality of Single-Comb White Leghorn chicks

Voorhies, E; Read, G

A biometrical study of the mortality of Single-Comb White Leghorn chicks

Authors

Edwin C. Voorhies
Gladwin A. Read

Authors Affiliations

Edwin C. Voorhies was Associate Professor of Agricultural Economics, Associate Agricultural Economist in the Experiment Station, and Associate Economist on the Giannini Foundation; Gladwin A. Read was Research Assistant in Agricultural Economics, University of California. Resigned December 31, 1925.

Publication Information

Hilgardia 5(17):531-590. DOI:10.3733/hilg.v05n17p531. April 1931.

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Abstract

Abstract does not appear. First page follows.

Introduction

Constitutional fitness in chickens is gauged primarily by four main criteria: hatchability, livability, rate of growth, and egg production (Warren⁽¹⁸⁾). The desirability of reliable standards for each criterion for breeds of economic importance. is apparent. This investigation deals with the livability of Single Comb White Leghorns, a race of fowls which from the standpoint of numbers equals and perhaps exceeds the numbers of all other breeds combined (Brown⁽²⁾).

It has been held that the most reliable measure of relative livability is given by the percentage of chicks alive three weeks after hatching (Dunn⁽⁷⁾). This study involves the first two weeks of life during the brooding period. However, two weeks seem to provide sufficient time for chicks to demonstrate the vitality of their particular strain. In the western section of the country most chicks go out into the open air when they are approximately 10 days old.

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