Eggshell colour and disease resistance may be linked

Description

Selection for ‘natural antibodies’ might have an effect on eggshell colour, researchers say.

 

Researchers at Wageningen University have found that selection for ‘natural antibodies’, a recently discovered immune characteristic, is a potential strategy to improve general disease resistance in laying hens. Selection for this immune characteristic has minimal negative consequences on production they say, but might have an effect on eggshell colour. Their findings are published in PLoS ONE and Poultry Science.