focusonresearchStarting body fat content

摘要

In this Hungarian study (Brit. Poult. Sci. 56 666-672) 120 laying pullets (60 Tetra Blanca and 60 Tetra SL) were selected from 500 based on their predicted body fat content by means of computerised tomography at 16 weeks of age. For each group, pullets were chosen with highest (20), lowest (20) and average (20) body fat contents.Changes in live weight, body fat content, egg production and egg composition was then recorded at 32, 52 and 72 weeks of age. Differences in starting body fat content of the hens remained the same throughout the study and the differences between the highest and lowest groups were statistically significant at all stages.The starting body fat content of the hens affected egg production in that hens with a high starting point body fat content produced 11-14 eggs fewer than those with the low or average starting point. There was no effect on egg composition.Genotype affected almost all of the examined traits, with the Tetra Blanca having the lower live weights and higher body fat content throughout the study. They produced fewer eggs with lower albumen and higher yolk, dry matter and crude fat content thanthe Tetra SL hens.