Body Weights of Gold and Silver Segregates in Chicken Broilers

Abstract It is known that certain genes affecting color of plumage in chickens are associated with a depression of body growth rate. Jerome et al. (1956) demonstrated that dominant white depressed growth and feed efficiency up to 10 weeks of age in a strain of Barred Rocks. Jaap and Grimes (1956) presented evidence that three mutant genes, the dominant white gene I (inhibition of black), E (extension of black) and B (rhythmic failure of pigment in the feather) interact to produce a suppression of body growth rate in the chicken. Body weight was suppressed through the interaction of I and E by .03 to .04 pounds in 2 to 2½ pound chickens at eight weeks of age and was further reduced by B to .06 to .07 pounds. Evidence was also presented by Jaap and Grimes (1956) that S (silver) which suppresses red plumage pigmentation, or K which delays chick feather…