Genetic parameter estimation of partial egg production traits in layers[1]

To estimate heritabilities of different partial egg production traits and their correlations with each other and to use it as a selection criteria, egg productions of 1980 animals from 43 sires and 8 dams per sire were used. Heritability estimates of the second period egg production were the lowest based on sire and sire+dam variance components, while it was the lowest in the third period based on animal model. The highest heritability estimates were obtained for 31-40 weeks of age for all models used. Heritability estimates for animal model were generally close to heritability from sire model. Due to high correlations of sub-partial egg productions with 22-40 weeks of egg production, the former can be used as a. selection criterion. © GSP, India