Pineal gland and ocular influences on turkey breeder hens. 2. Body weight, feed intake, and egg characteristics

Yearling Large White turkey breeder hens underwent pinealectomy (PX), bilateral ocular enucleation (EX), or both and were then photo-induced into reproductive activity. During the subsequent 20-week reproductive period, data were recorded for body weight, change in body weight, feed intake, egg weight, eggshell thickness, and percent settable eggs. A significant interaction between PX and EX treatments did not occur for any of the parameters of this study. Absolute body weight, feed intake, shell thickness, and percent settable eggs were not significantly affected by PX during the study, but PX significantly increased egg weights. Feed intake was significantly reduced by EX, but other parameters were not affected. Both PX and EX reduced body weight losses typically observed in breeder hens during an in-season egg laying cycle. It was concluded that the pineal gland and the eyes can influence body weight changes, egg size, or feed intake in breeder turkey hens during a reproductive cycle.