GENETIC AND PHENOTYPIC PARAMETERS FOR FEM ALE BROILER LINES

Data included information on 3226 KK and 3373 PP female broiler lines under development at the Brazilian National Swine and Poultry Research Center, to estimate the heritability (h2), genetic (rg) and phenotipi c correlations (rp) for (and between) weight at 42 days as well of age (P42), as egg production from 25 to 40 weeks of age (PD), egg weight at 28 (PO28), 32(PO32) and 37(PO37) weeks of age, average egg weight ( PMO), fertility (FERT), and hatchability rates (ECLO). The heritabilit y estimates for P42, PD, PMO, FERT and ECLO were respectively .26 +/- .05; .30 +/- 06; .1 5 +/-.04; .50 +/- 01 e .06 +/- .04 for KK, and .44 +/- .07; .31 +/- 0.6; 38 +/- 07;.23 +/- .05 e .13 +/- .04 for PP. The h2 were high in both lines, for all traits but PMO m KK and ECLO in K K and PP. The rg were negative and low in PP and practically null in K K, except for rg between PD and PMO (-.41 +/- .15).