Overall performance of commercial layers maintained in Chakwal [Pakistan]

A study was carried out during 2000 and 2001 to investigate overall performance of commercial layers from day one to 52.5 weeks of growth and production period by selecting 109 flocks in Chakwal, Pakistan. Average number of day-old chicks was 13063+1321, out of which 93.59% birds were housed in egg laying houses. Flock size was positively correlated with percent hen-day egg production (r=0.26; p=0.0072), hen-day egg production (r=0.45; p=0.0023) and net profit per layer (r=0.36; p=0.0001) but negatively correlated with percent mortality (r=-0.27, p=0.053) and age at peak-of-lay (r=-0.24; p=0.0121). Average rate of culling, and mortality including culls was 2.77 plus minus 0.24 and 11.44 plus minus 1.14%, respectively. Mortality was negatively correlated with percent hen-day egg production (r=-0.29; p=0.002), hen-day egg production (r=-0.25; p=0.0097) and net profit per bird (r=-0.69; p=0.001). Mean feed consumption per layer was 3701 plus minus 0.55 kg, comprising 1.16 plus minus 0.02 kg starter, 4.17 plus minus 0.05 kg grower, and 31.67 plus minus 0.56 kg layer ration. Mean feed efficiency in teens of kg of layer ration consumed/dozen eggs, was 2.05 plus minus 0.04 which was found significantly correlated with flock size (r=- 0.57) and mortality (r=0.24). Average age at point-of-lay, age at peak-of-lay and egg laying period was 126.20 plus minus 1.02, 200.27 plus minus 4.84 and 241.33 plus minus 4.84 days, respectively. Average percent hen-day egg production, peak percent lay and hen-day, and hen-housed production were 69.33 plus minus 0.51%, 92.13 plus minus 0.34%, 205.74 plus minus 3.61 eggs and 185.57 plus minus 3.60 eggs, respectively. Hen-day egg production was positively correlated with percent hen-day egg production (r=0.53; p=0.0001) and net profit (r=0.60; p=0.0001) but negatively correlated with age at point-of-lay (r=-0.40, p=0.001). Average cost of production, gross return and net profit per layer was Rs. 393.88 plus minus 35.48 and Rs. 432.14 plus minus 26.23, Rs. 38.21 plus minus 12.39, respectively. Rate of return on invested capital was 27%. Net profit per layer was positively associated with flock size (b=89.5984 plus minus 6.83; p=0.0001), percent hen- day egg production (b=0.2479 plus minus 0.89; p=0.7813) and hen-day egg production (0.8254 plus minus 0.12) but negatively associated with mortality (b=-2.8427 plus minus 0.43; p less than 0.3189). Large size of flocks, better sanitation and hygiene, optimal stocking rate and lower mortality were found as important factors for higher profitability.