Fluctuating asymmetry in hens laying brown eggs with shell color abnormalities or internal inclusions
The purpose of this study was to analyze the association between the fluctuating asymmetry and the incidence of brown eggs with shell color abnormalities or internal inclusions. Fluctuating asymmetry was studied in hens (52 wk old) from 2 Spanish breeds laying eggs with pink shell color (n = 26), brown spots in shells (n = 58), pale brown shells (n = 29), internal blood spots (n = 36), or normal brown eggs (n = 149). There were significant differences (P < 0.05) for the fluctuating asymmetry of wing length, wattle length, and the combined fluctuating asymmetry between pink shell color and normal groups, with mean values of hens laying pink eggs being greater than those of hens laying normal brown eggs. Fluctuating asymmetry of leg width, wing length, and the combined fluctuating asymmetry was significantly greater (P < 0.05) in hens laying eggs with brown spots in shells and smaller in hens laying normal brown eggs. There were significant differences for the fluctuating asymmetry of wing length (P < 0.01), wattle length (P < 0.001), and the combined fluctuating asymmetry (P < 0.001) between pale brown and normal brown shell groups, the fluctuating asymmetry of hens laying pale brown eggs being greater than that of hens laying normal brown eggs. Finally, fluctuating asymmetry of wattle length was significantly greater (P < 0.05) in hens laying eggs with internal inclusions and smaller in hens laying normal brown eggs. Thus, the production of eggs with shell color abnormalities or internal inclusions is associated with this measure of stress. Group by breed interaction was significant (P < 0.05) for the fluctuating asymmetry of leg width (in hens laying pale brown shell eggs) and wing length (in hens laying eggs with internal inclusions), with the difference between hens laying abnormal and normal eggs being significant in one breed. In this breed (Red Villafranquina), fluctuating asymmetry was greater in hens laying abnormal eggs. © Verlag Eugen Ulmer, Stuttgart.
| Main Authors: | , |
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| Format: | journal article biblioteca |
| Language: | eng |
| Published: |
2010
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| Online Access: | http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.12792/5667 |
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