Research Article

Effect of length of productive life of Rhode Island Red (R-11) hens on their performance and egg quality

Jolanta Calik

1. Acta Sci. Pol. Zootechnica, 13(1), 2014, 39‒50

Abstract. The aim of the study was to evaluate production and egg quality results of Rhode Island Red (line R-11) hens during the first and second year of production. The study was performed with 200 Rhode Island Red hens and 210 eggs obtained at 21, 33, 43, 56, 73, 83 and 93 weeks of age. The results show that during rearing and egg production, birds were characterized by a high survival rate and good health. Laying rate averaged 64.18% during the first year of egg production (21 to 56 weeks) and 51.44% during the second year (63 to 99 weeks of age). Average body weight of the birds and egg weight in the first year of the study were up to breed standard, with significantly higher values in the second year of productive life. Egg quality assessment showed the average weight of eggs increased with the age of hens from 44.90 (week 21) to 64.14 g (week 93). The increase in egg weight was paralleled by a significant increase in yolk and shell weight. Eggs were characterized by good parameters of albumen (albumen height, Haugh units) and shell quality. These traits deteriorated significantly towards the end of the second egg production period. The production results and the good quality of eggs for almost the entire period of the second laying cycle indicate that it is appropriate to use Rhode Island Red R-11 hens for two years.

Keywords: laying hens, age, egg quality