Age and body weight at sexual maturity in female white Leghorn chickens

Poult Sci. 1984 Apr;63(4):828-30. doi: 10.3382/ps.0630828.

Abstract

Age and body weight at sexual maturity were measured in females from two lines of White Leghorns known to differ in these traits. Within-line correlations between age and body weight at sexual maturity were not different from zero. The data demonstrated that egg-type chickens must reach a minimum age and body weight before commencing egg production - results consistent with those obtained for meat-type chickens and Japanese quail.

MeSH terms

  • Aging*
  • Animals
  • Body Weight*
  • Chickens / genetics
  • Chickens / physiology*
  • Female
  • Sexual Maturation*