Measured phenotypic traits
like egg shell
strength, egg
weight and
feed conversion are correlated with an individual’s SNPs and this
data is used to determine breeding values for
individuals where SNP data is available but
phenotype information is not. Photo courtesy
of Hendrix ISA
extended the performance collection period
of our candidates to 100 weeks of age. We are
selecting for the chicken that produces for 100
weeks and lays 500 eggs,” said Albers.
With genomic selection, SNP data is cor-
related with good egg production out to 100
weeks. Breeder candidates are then selected
at time of ;rst egg based on how their SNPs
correlate with the hens that had good late
performance. In this manner, progress can
be made on late egg production with each
successive generation even though the candi-
dates are selected early in the lay cycle.
Balancing speed and accuracy
Analysis of an individual’s SNPs can allow selection to take place earlier in the life
cycle of the animal. Albers explained that
every breeding program has to balance speed
and accuracy of selection. For chickens, you
would like to make the selection at the time of
the hen’s ;rst egg. For traits that are expressed
later in life than at time of ;rst lay, genomic
selection can cut the generation time down,
which speeds the rate of progress.
“In a layer program, the traits that we are
concentrating on today are egg production,
egg quality and life span of the birds. We have
