Feed consumption of egg strain pullets at onset of lay

An experiment was conducted to investigate the performance of four strains of commercial egg type pullets (A, B, C, and D) from 19 to 30 wk of age. The feed consumption differences during this period as well as feed consumption patterns 10 days prior to and after the first oviposition were of special interest. Two hundred and sixty-four birds (66 birds per strain) were fed a diet formulated to contain 2,750 kcal/kg ME, 17% CP, and 3.4% calcium. Results show that the average age to the first egg and percentage of hen-day egg production were not significantly different among the four strains of birds. However, egg weights of Strain A and C birds were significantly heavier than those of the Strain B and D birds. The birds from Strains B and D had significantly lower body weight than Strain A birds at the end of 18 wk, but body weights were not significantly different at the end of 30 wk. Feed intake per bird per day of pullets from Strains A and C was generally higher than that of those from Strains B and D in the first and second 4-wk period. Some of the consumption differences were significant. Feed intake in the third period (27 to 30 wk) was similar for the four strains of birds. Although different strains showed different feed consumption patterns around the first oviposition, all strains showed a drop on the day of the first oviposition. When the strains were combined, feed consumption was lower on that day than during the 8 days prior to the first oviposition.