Results of crossing the Rhode Island Red and White Leghorn Breeds of poultry

Abstract

An account has been given of an experiment in cross-breeding carried out at the Northern Breeding Station of the National Poultry Institute at Rease-heath, Cheshire.The breeds used for crossing were the Rhode Island Red and the White Leghorn. Much care was taken to ensure that the birds were of good quality and were from outbred stocks.Fertility was at a high level of about 90 ―. It was significantly lower for White Leghorn × Rhode Island Red matings (88·3 ―) than for the pure White Leghorn matings (93·7 ―).Cross-mating had little effect on hatchability of fertile eggs. The fertile eggs from Rhode Island Red dams hatched better than those from White Leghorn dams. A suggestion is made that this may be associated with a difference of porosity in the eggs of the two breeds.