The Effect of Pelleting the Layer Ration on Egg Size in Early-Housed Brown-Egg-Type Layers

ABSTRACT Harco Sex-Link pullets (n=360) were reared in cages and given a 15 % protein grower ration. At 17 weeks of age, half the birds were transferred to laying cages and the photoperiod was increased to 13 hr for the first week and to 15 hr thereafter. The remaining birds were continued in the growing facility on 8 hr of light until 19 weeks when lights were increased to 13 hr daily. These birds were transferred to the laying cages at 20 weeks of age where they received 15 hr of light. At 2 % production, all birds were fed a 17 % protein layer diet in either a mash or pelleted form. Neither egg production nor feed efficiency was affected by age at housing or the physical form of the ration. Early-lighted pullets produced a greater percentage of small and medium-sized eggs. Egg size distribution was not affected by the physical form of the ration. (Key words: early maturation, pelleting, egg size