Estimation of Genetic and Phenotypic Correlations for Performance and Egg Quality Traits in Native Fowls of Yazd Province

The information on sixth generation of Yazd native fowls was used to estimate the genetic and phenotypic correlations of performance and external and internal egg quality traits. For this purpose، performances of 4198 fowls together with 1200 eggs were collected from Yazd breeding center. Genetic and phenotypic correlations between economic and egg quality traits were estimated by multivariate animal model procedure by restricted maximum likelihood using ASREML software. Genetic correlations between body weight at 8 and 12 weeks (BW12) and weight at sexual maturity (WSM) with egg weight were positive (0. 42، 0. 55 and 0. 43، respectively) but their genetic correlations with egg shell strength (ESS) were negative (-0. 36، -0. 49 and -0. 25، respectively). Genetic correlations between BW12 and WSM with albumen high، albumen weight، yolk weight and Huagh Unit were positive. According to the results of present research، selection for increased growth may lead to produce eggs with higher weight and better quality but with lower ESS. Therefore، selection for increased growth together with selection for improved ESS can be a suitable breeding program for Yazd native chicken.