Genotype?environment interactions in genetically diverse meat?type stocks of Chickens 1

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Abstract
Six experimental stocks were evaluated in two trials at seven locations to determine if genetically diverse meat‐type stocks would be useful in identifying specific causes of genotype‐environment interactions. Stock differences in body weights (at 1, 5 and 8 weeks) were significant and responsible for 55 to 80% of the total phenotypic variation. Location effects were also significant, while trial effects were significant only at 1 and 5 weeks of age. Stock‐location interactions were significant (P < 0.01) for body weight at 1 and 5 weeks of age in both sexes while male 8‐week body weight and shank length differences were also significant (P< 0.05). The importance of stock‐location interactions for juvenile body weight decreased with age, being reponsible for 3% of the total phenotypic variation at 1 week and less than 1 % at 8 weeks of age. These data support previous reports indicating stock‐location interactions are of minor importance for juvenile body weights in broiler stocks and responsible for less than 2% of the total phenotypic variation in 8‐week body weight. Utilisation of genetically diverse stocks did not materially increase the importance of or aid in identifying these interactions.