PRODUCTIVE TRAITS OF TWO LAYING HYBRIDS REARED WITHIN CONVENTIONAL SYSTEMS (CAGE BATTERIES) IN SMALL SIZE FARMS
Tahsin Sady Hussen
Abstract
During 2009, an experiment has been carried on, in order to assess the best productive response between two commercial laying hybrids to the conditions provided by small farms endorsed with pyramidal cage system. There were used 500 Lohmann Brown hens (LB group) and 500 Hisex Brown hens (HB group) during the laying peak period (age 25-28 weeks). Microclimate and feed quality were provided in accordance with the technological guides, while feeding and eggs collection have been run manually. Certain production parameters were investigated: eggs yield, laying intensity, casualties and the ration between normal/abnormal shell eggs. Quantitative traits were analyzed for the entire flocks, while eggs quality was studied on 100 eggs/group, every week. The data achieved till the 28th week of fowl life suggested better adaptability of the Lohmann hens to the conditions of a small family farm (91.53% peak laying intensity, 0.80% cumulated mortality, 98.33% eggs with intact eggshell). The performances of the other hybrid were slightly lower (91.30% laying, 1.20% casualties and 98.16 % marketable eggs). Therefore, both hybrids could be used in small farm eggs production, as long as the microclimate and feeding environment is provided at the required levels. It would be provoking to assess the response of these hybrids to a free range husbandry system, run in small family farms, under the outdoor climate conditions of Kurdistan area.
