Feathering, weight and sex in the Rhode Island Red breed

Abstract

With data from the Poultry Section of the Instituto de Pesquisas e Experimentação Agropecuárias do Centro-Sul, Rio de Janeiro, some statistical researches were made on the Rhode lsland Red breed (1953-1954). A significant difference on day-old feathering was found between males and females, the last being better feathered, than males and the difference was significant. Such an advantage of females was detected in the "well feathered" group as in the "bad feathered" one. Data concerning the 8th week of age were not analised, as they were too few for investigation. At 12 weeks of age, females were better feathered then males, the difference being significant. At 12 weeks of age, males were heavier than females. No correlation between weight at 12 weeks and feathering at that age was detected. The "well feathered" group at that age had a smaller variation in weight than the "bad feathered" group, specially the females. A negative correlation (r= —0,297) was found between weight at 12 weeks and egg production (9 months production). In each item analised, description of the methods employed and a brief discussion of the literature related to the topic are made.