Genetics of the Fowl: The Classic Guide to Chicken Genetics and Poultry Breeding

F. B. Hutt

May 2003 · Norton Creek Press

About this ebook

Genetics of the Fowl is still the most useful work on poultry genetics. Just the last chapter, Genetics in Practice, provides the best introduction to successful poultry breeding ever written, covering the difference between breeding for dominant vs. recessive characteristics, individual selection vs. progeny testing, inbreeding vs. crossing, and much more. 

Hutt was sympathetic to the needs of practical farmers, show breeders, and researchers, so this book is far more than a compendium of genes, and yet this aspect is covered in loving detail. Chapters include the genetics of plumage, egg production, body type, disease resistance, and much more, with many illustrations of how the genes work in practice. 

Other works have come and gone since Genetics of the Fowl's first publication in 1947, but Genetics of the Fowl is still the first book everyone should read on poultry genetics. New information has come to light since its publication, but it builds upon the solid foundation laid down by Hutt. 

This Norton Creek Press book is an exact reproduction of the original edition.

Ratings and reviews

The whole purpose of me paying money for a genetics book was to actually learn about genetics. There is so much missing out of this book. Almost everything in here can be learnt by simple Googling. The actual genetics secrets that Google won't tell us are what we expect to find in a book that we have paid money for. Also, I paid for the book and it was NOT emailed to me so it took "forever" to read it because the writing is too small, the pages don't load and it takes data every time you want to try read it. There was NO option available to save the book so I could put it onto a flash drive and take it to a printing shop to get printed so that I could actually read it without having to borrow a magnifying glass! NOT IMPRESSED AT ALL!!!!

Luck of latest development on poultry genetics. In addition, very brief or no mention of other birds. Noticeable no reference to Peacocks and other important birds.

About the author

Frederick Bruce Hutt's career in scientific writing began at age 8. At 35, he became the youngest president of the Poultry Science Association. He researched, taught, and wrote extensively. He published more than 250 papers and articles, some intended for audiences of farmers and poultry hobbyists and others intended for researchers and geneticists. His clear, well-organized style won him a warm welcome with all audiences.