The Relationship of Egg Shell Color to Hatchability in New Hampshires

UNTIL recently few studies had been conducted on the relationship of egg shell color to hatchability. Godfrey (1947), using two flocks of New Hampshire Reds, one flock of White Plymouth Rocks, and one flock of Barred Plymouth Rocks, reported that light brown New Hampshire and White Plymouth Rock eggs studied, hatched poorly in comparison with medium to dark brown eggs. The light colored Barred Plymouth Rock eggs hatched as well as the medium brown, but poorer than the dark brown eggs. Munday (1947), using Rhode Island Red pullets, reported that dark brown eggs were more fertile, and possessed better hatchability than those of lighter shades. He also reported that hens laying eggs of uniform color are likely to show a higher hatchability than hens laying eggs of varied color. The objective in this study was to determine if eggs of different shell color laid by the New Hampshires in the . . .