A comparison of pre and early-laying characteristics of four commercial pullet strains in warm wet climate

Abstract

This study determined the level of pre-production and production differences between four commercial pullet strains, Lohmann Tradition (LT), Lohmann LSL Classic (LC), Bovans Goldline (BG) and Bovans Nera (BN), bred in Europe but whose eggs were hatched in Nigeria. The study also compared these results with the performance recorded in their management guides. There were significant differences (p<0.05) in feed intake, bodyweight gain and feed conversion ratio between the different strains at different ages during the pre-laying period. There were equally significant differences in age at first egg and age at 5% production across strains. At 22 weeks of age, eggs collected showed significantly different (p<0.05) in shell thickness and egg shape index, while egg weight recorded no significant difference (p>0.05) between the strains. Bodyweight gain, feed conversion ratio, age at first egg, and egg weight were all significantly different (p<0.05) from the values established under temperate conditions in the management guides for the different strains. The cumulative feed intake however showed no significant difference (P>0.05) from those of the management guide. These results indicate variations on the effects of the warm wet climate of southwestern Nigeria on the expressions of economic traits by these temperate strain crosses.

Keywords: pullets, strains, pre-laying, layers, management guide

Animal Production Research Advances Vol. 1(2) 2005: 111-115