Genetic variations associated with feather pecking behaviour in avians

摘要

The present invention relates to a nucleic acid molecule contributing to or indicative of low feather pecking. The present invention also relates to a nucleic acid molecule deviating by at least one mutation from the nucleic acid molecule of the invention, wherein said mutation is contributing to or indicative of high feather pecking and is a substitution, an insertion or a deletion. The present invention further relates to methods of testing an avian for its predisposition for low or high feather pecking comprising analysing in a sample the nucleic acid molecules of the invention for nucleotide polymorphisms which are linked to said predisposition. The present invention also relates to a method for selecting an avian or part of an avian for low or high feather pecking and to a kit for the detection of avians having a predisposition for low or high feather pecking comprising a nucleic acid molecule of the invention or a fragment thereof, in one or more container.