Impacto do peso corporal as 19 semanas de idade de poedeiras EMBRAPA 051 sobre o desempenho e qualidade de ovos durante o ciclo de postura

Abstract

A total of 860 Embrapa 051 pullets were categorized into three groups based on body weight at 19 weeks of age. They were then allocated to floor pens with nests for a 65 week production period. The heavy-weight group had an average body weight of 1.48 kg, the medium-weight group had an average of 1.32 kg, and the light-weight group had an average of 1.19 kg. During the 24-28 week period, the heavy-weight birds showed higher egg production compared to the medium and light-weight birds. However, between 41-46 weeks, the medium-weight hens produced more eggs than the heavy-weight birds (P<0.05). At the end of the laying cycle (61-65 weeks), the light weight hens exhibited significantly higher egg production than the heavy-weight birds (P<0.05). These body weight differences observed at 19 weeks persisted throughout the entire 65-week cycle. From 57 weeks to 65 weeks, there were no significant differences in egg production between the heavy and medium-weight hens. The light weight hens consistently maintained lower body weights throughout the laying cycle. The cumulative mortality rate at 65 weeks of age was significantly higher in the heavy weight birds (10.5%) compared to the medium-weight (7.4%) and light-weight birds (5.2%). Overall, there was no significant impact of weight grouping on egg weight during the 19 to 65-week period. Body weight at 19 weeks had a consistent effect on floor eggs, cracked eggs, and double-yolk eggs (P<0.05) during the 22-34 week period. The heavy-weight birds laid fewer eggs on the floor compared to the medium and light weight birds. The medium-weight hens had fewer cracked eggs (0.3%) compared to the heavy-weight (0.5%) and light-weight hens (0.5%). Similarly, the light-weight hens produced fewer double-yolk eggs (1.1%) compared to the heavy-weight (1.5%) and medium-weight hens (1.6%). These findings demonstrate that the body weight of Embrapa 051 hens at 19 weeks of age can impact egg production throughout the laying cycle. Heavy-weight hens tend to produce more eggs at the beginning of the cycle, while medium and light-weight birds show higher egg production in the middle and at the end of the laying cycle, respectively. Additionally, heavy hens lay fewer eggs on the floor, medium hens have fewer cracked eggs, and light hens produce fewer double yolk eggs during the early stage of the laying cycle (22 to 34 weeks of age).