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.

Professor 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'sfirst 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.

Genetics of the Fowl is volume 3 of the Norton Creek Classics series, and is an exact reproduction of the original edition. See [...] for more of these classic poultry books.

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.