Social and Sexual Behavior as Related to Plumage Pattern in the Fayoumi Fowl

SEVERAL studies have been reported which indicate that there is a genetic basis for differences in behavior in the domestic fowl. For instance, Guhl et al. (1960) selected for high and low levels of aggressiveness over four generations and obtained two lines which showed significant differences in the percentage of encounters won or lost and significant differences in peck order. Tindell and Craig (1960) were able to demonstrate significant differences in aggressiveness among pullets of eight sire families of one strain. The effects of comb type on behavior and juvenile body weight were studied by Siegel and Dudley (1963), who found that in intermingled flocks derived from the same strain, males with pea combs were subordinate to those with single combs. In the present study, Fayoumis differing only by a single gene determining plumage pattern were compared with respect to adult social and sexual behavior. The study was prompted by…