Laying ability passed on by ROO, true or false?

[dancingbear]

I seem to recall reading several times that the laying ability, (or lack of it) is passed on by roos from their mothers.

If anybody has links to info from any studies, or other documentation, I'd appreciate it.

I tried a search, but after reading a bunch of threads that didn't answer my question, decided to post it.

Thanks much!

 

[MaggieRae]

I have no idea, but would like to know...

 

[speckledhen]

According to Storey's Guide to Raising Chickens, the laying ability of a hen is passed down through her family, not necessarily just her mother. Says that if her relatives are generally good layers, she will probably be, too. I have no idea how correct that is, though.

 

[DTchickens]

It could play a big roll really. It's fact that hens take after their fathers and cockerels take after their mothers...

So i don't see why egg laying wouldn't be passed from the rooster "to some extent with the mothers side still playing a effect".

 

[Chicks_N_Horses]

Interesting....SO, we should incubate our best laying hens eggs for possible future good layers??? That is something I will look into and consider when I jump back on the incubation wagon! I learn something new on here everyday

 

[dancingbear]

Ok, obviously a parents genes are passed to the offspring. What I read on here before, was that with chickens, males carry more of the mother's genes for certain traits, and that females carry the father's genes for certain traits.

Egg laying traits, such as high production, were said to have been passed mainly by the roo, and that you should use a roo from a good layer, to improve laying ability in the female offspring.

I don't know if it's true or not. I'm wondering about this as part of a breeding project involving standard Cornish, who are often not the best of layers.

 

[halo]

Quote:
Im not sure I buy that, without verification. I have crossed a plymouth rock with easter egger hens, and all the female chicks that I kept have grown up to look just like easter eggers; the same body type and muffs. If hens are supposed to take after their fathers, they would look like plymouth rocks.

 

[DTchickens]

Quote:
Im not sure I buy that, without verification. I have crossed a plymouth rock with easter egger hens, and all the female chicks that I kept have grown up to look just like easter eggers; the same body type and muffs. If hens are supposed to take after their fathers, they would look like plymouth rocks.

Mothers side can still play a effect... Like i said, and if im correct muffs are pretty dominate, and barred.. Typically doesn't show up in the F1 either if i am correct also (though it can vary depending on what the color is, and if that color may also have barring in the background)


Someone correct me if im wrong please?

 

[halo]

As I understand barring, its a dominant trait, and is expressed if passed on. So if the offspring are not barred, theres no recessive gene there carrying the barring. Its either there, if you see it, or if you dont, its not.

 

[Chris09]

I think I have to agree with DT..
I herd alot of people say you get you best rooster from your best hens and the other way round to..
Look a the sex-links you take a Rhode Island Red rooster and cross it with a White Rock hen and the pullets come out red and the cockerels out white...

Chris