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- Title
Changes in plumage color and patterns in Polbar breed chicks (Polish conservative breed) during their first weeks after hatching.
- Authors
Gryzińska, Magdalena; Batkowska, Justyna; Andraszek, Katarzyna; Horecka, Beata; Jeżewska-Witkowska, Grażyna
- Abstract
Autosexing is one of the most interesting issue in poultry science. In practice, the sex-linked genes give 100% certainty in sex differentation based on phenotypic features. This phenomenon is of practical importance because farms producing table eggs can use only hens for rearing, while reproductive farms provide themselves with pullets and cockerels in the appropriate proportions. Polbar is a unique Polish native hen breed created in 1946-1953 from crossing of Greenleg Partridge hens and barred Plymouth Rock cocks, which are characterized by autosexing. The aim of the study was the evaluation of young chicks plumage pattern during the first month of their hatching. Furthermore, the age of the birds, in which the chicks coloration disappears and the coloration of young pullets and cockerels unify should be defined. The second part of the study was designed to check whether there is a relationship between changes in the level of methylation of the CDKN2B gene, associated with the development of color, and changes in plumage color and patterns in Polbar breed chicks. Obtained results indicate that both on the 1st day of life and in the 22nd week, cytosine in the amplified fragment can become methylated. It means that the investigated gene is largely active. It was also found that differences in the exterior of pullets and cockerels are most evident on the 1st day after hatching. The varied coloration of opposite sex specimens remains intensively until 28-30 days after hatching. With age, chicks' feathers on wings and dorsal parts of body get similar barred coloration. Observations on the time-point where the pattern and colors of the plumage become similar in young pullets and cockerels may have not only practical significance, but can be used in future in studies on melanogenesis and its disorders in humans.
- Subjects
CHICK sexing; CHICKEN breeds; POULTRY hatcheries; THERMOCHROMISM; FEATHERS
- Publication
European Poultry Science / Archiv für Geflügelkunde, 2014, Vol 78, p1
- ISSN
0003-9098
- Publication type
Article
- DOI
10.1399/eps.2014.70