Volume: 5, 2026
5th International PhD Students’ Conference at the University of Life Sciences in Lublin, Poland:
ENVIRONMENT – PLANT – ANIMAL – PRODUCT
Abstract number: A031
DOI: https://doi.org/10.24326/ICDSUPL5.A031
Published online: 22 April 2026
Heritability and inbreeding depression of production and performance traits in selected lines of laying hens
Anastasiya Ramankevich*, Kornel Kasperek and Grzegorz Zięba
Institute of Biological Basis of Animal Production, University of Life Sciences in Lublin, 13 Akademicka St., 20-950 Lublin, Poland
* Corresponding author: anastasiya.ramankevich@up.edu.pl
The heritability of traits is a genetic parameter of a population that is essential for effective breeding programs. At the same time, selective breeding is associated with inbreeding depression, which can pose a significant problem in poultry breeding, negatively affecting both production and performance traits. The aim of this study was to assess the heritability of selected reproductive and performance traits and to determine the effect of inbreeding on trait values in three lines of laying hens (H-33; M-55; V-44). Traits related to growth, reproduction, and feed efficiency were analyzed by estimating heritability coefficients (h²) and the effect of inbred depression on trait value.
The results indicate varying levels of heritability for the analyzed traits. High h² values were observed for body weight (0.33–0.39), age at sexual maturity (0.43–0.60), and egg weight (at 33 weeks of age: 0.53–0.64; at 53 weeks of age: 0.57–0.67), indicating a high selection potential for these traits. Traits related to feed intake and utilization were characterized by moderate heritability (daily feed intake: 0.50–0.57; food conversion ratio: 0.25–0.31; residual feed intake: 0.37–0.46), while low values were obtained for reproductive traits such as initial egg production (0.04–0.07) and hatchability (0.04–0.07), indicating a strong environmental influence.
Negative regression coefficients, indicating the presence of inbreeding depression, were observed, among others, for body weight in line H-33 (-1.923), initial egg production in lines H-33 and M-55 (-0.064; -0.164) and breeding productivity in line M-55 (-0.415). A decrease in egg weight with increasing inbreeding was evident in all lines. At the same time, some traits showed positive regression values (e.g., body weight in line V-44: 3.920; residual feed intake in H-33: 0.674).
The results indicate that the magnitude and direction of inbreeding depression depend on the trait and line analyzed. Traits with low heritability show greater susceptibility to the effects of inbreeding, underscoring the need to control it in breeding programs. Combining information on heritability and inbreeding effects can contribute to more effective selection, ensuring both genetic progress and the maintenance of genetic diversity in the population.
Keywords: heritability; inbred; laying hens
How to cite
Ramankevich A., Kasperek K., Zięba G., 2026. Heritability and inbreeding depression of production and performance traits in selected lines of laying hens. In: 5th International PhD Students’ Conference at the University of Life Sciences in Lublin, Poland: Environment – Plant – Animal – Product. https://doi.org/10.24326/ICDSUPL5.A031