The influence of body weight at maturity on the performance of laying hens in Maputo, Mozambique
1988
Gares, A. (Veterinary Faculty, Maputo (Mozambique)) | Demeterova, M. (University of Veterinary Medicine, Kosice (Slovak Republic))
The influence of body weight at maturity on the performance of laying hens was studied in 189 medium-heavy birds. Three groups based on 20-wk body weight were formed, an average group (mean weight +-10%), and a light and heavy group. Their performance was studied from 21 to 40 weeks of age. Body weight differences between the groups remained till the end of the study. Both the compensatory growth of the light pullets and the added maintenance needs of the heavy ones were detrimental to feed efficiency. Heavy hens attained maturity 10 days earlier than light hens with a resulting increase in the number of eggs produced. Body weight did not influence egg weight or mortality, but was associated with a higher (P0.05) culling rate in the light group. The best performance and the better efficiency were in the group of hens of average body weight
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