INFLUENCE OF SELECTION FOR INCREASED EGG-PRODUCTION, BODY-WEIGHT, ANDSHANK WIDTH OF TURKEYS ON EGG COMPOSITION AND THE RELATIONSHIP OF THEEGG TRAITS TO HATCHABILITY

Egg traits, mature BW, fertility, and hatch of fertile eggs were measu red in lines of turkeys selected for increased egg production, increas ed 16-wk BW, and increased shank width and in corresponding randombred controls to determine the effects of selection. Genetic increases in egg production were associated with decreased mature BW and egg weight with no change in fertility or hatchability. The decrease in egg weig ht was associated with a proportional decrease in the albumen, shell, and yolk. Genetic increases in BW were associated with increased matur e BW and egg weight and decreased fertility and hatch of fertile eggs. The increase in egg weight was primarily due to an increase in albume n. Selection for increased shank width had little influence on egg tra its. Fertility and hatch of fertile eggs were correlated. Hatch of fer tile eggs was positively correlated (after the effects of line were re moved) with absolute and percentage shell and percentage yolk and nega tively correlated with percentage albumen. The regression coefficients of egg weight on mature BW differed between lines, with the relations hip being larger in smaller lines.