Some Genetical and Physiological Studies On Growth Retardation In Ducks

The recessive sex-linked dwarf gene (dw) was first described by Hutt (1959) in the fowL. Since that time, extensive researches have been conducted to utilize the genetic properties of dwarfism without unduly sacrificing produetive traits. The occurrence of dwarfism in poultry was found to be due to the nature of the interaetions between the dw gene and the specific genetic background of the population and the environrnental factors. The Present study was conducted to throw some lights on the heredittary, environmental and physiological aspects of growth retardation in pekin in pekin ducks.Body weight, gain in weight and some blood contents were studies in both dwarf and normal birds.