Estimation of combining ability in broilers from a full diallel cross

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Abstract
1. A 4 × 4 complete diallel cross involving four broiler strains (two of Cornish stock and two of Rock stock) was made. Twelve males from each strain were concurrently mated to three pullets from each strain in single sire pens. 2. Body weight was measured from 1‐d‐old to 10 weeks of age every two weeks in the 2880 progeny obtained in five hatches. 3. General combining ability was highly significant for all traits except body weight at 1 d old. The specific combining ability was significant for 4‐, 8‐ and 10‐week body weights. 4. Maternal effects were evident for body weights at earlier ages but gradually declined with advancing age and were non‐significant for 8‐ and 10‐week weights. 5. Sex‐linked effects, although smaller in magnitude, were evident for body weights up to 6 weeks of age.