Relationships between feather score and egg production and feed consumption of different layer hybrids kept in conventional cages

Abstract

This study assessed feather scores, egg production and feed consumption of three local and two imported layer breeds. The relationships between feather score and egg production and feed consumption were evaluated for the total study population and by live weights and eggshell color of genotypes. Animal material was comprised of 360 layers (72 layers per genotype). Feather scores were obtained by observation at 6 locations (head, neck, breast, back, wing and tail) at 30, 40, 50, 60 and 72 weeks. Egg production was calculated on a daily basis, and feed consumption and egg weight were calculated on a weekly basis. Correlations were identified between feather score and egg production, feed consumption and egg weight among the overall study population and according to live weight and egg shell color. Significant differences among genotypes were found in feather scores at different body parts (P < 0.05, P < 0.01). A significant correlation was found between feather score and egg production (P < 0.05, P < 0.01) for all genotypes. Plumage condition was better in white layers than in brown layers. Among the brown layers, plumage condition was better in the heavy weight genotype than in the medium-heavy weight genotypes. Better feather conditions tended to correlate with lower feed consumption and higher egg weights.