Effects of imperfect albinism (sal-s) on growth in a heavy line of chickens.

Four trials compared growth, feed efficiency, and mortality of albino (sal-s) and nonalbino chickens under conditions approximating those used commercially for broilers. Early body weight reductions of albino chicks were substantial, but by a normal market age for broilers in North America, albinos weighed only 3 to 5% less than nonalbinos. The early mortality rate of albinos was elevated. Overall feed efficiency was not affected by the sal-s gene. An increased incidence of lesions of the navel, hocks, and nares was observed, but regression analyses showed them to be relatively unimportant in the determination of body weights. Heritability estimates showed that the lesions would be very difficult to eliminate through selective breeding. It is proposed that the gene could be used to sex either commercial broilers or their dams.