<![CDATA[Pullet body weight is an important factor associated with subsequent production performance in laying hens. This study aimed to evaluate the association between pullet body weight and the production performance of ISA Brown laying hens reared in a closed-house system. A total of 9,600 ISA Brown pullets aged 13 weeks were classified into two body weight groups: Group 1 (1,205 ± 5 g) and Group 2 (1,144 ± 5.5 g). The study employed a comparative observational design and was conducted over a 13-week observation period. The variables evaluated included Hen day Egg Production (HDP), egg weight, flock body weight uniformity, and weekly body weight gain (BWG). HDP and egg weight were recorded daily, whereas flock uniformity and BWG were determined weekly using random samples of 160 birds per group. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics. Group 1 showed higher average HDP and egg weight than Group 2, whereas Group 2 showed a slightly higher average weekly BWG. Group 1 also showed higher mean flock body weight uniformity than Group 2. These findings indicate that higher body weight at the pullet stage was associated with earlier onset of egg production and higher laying performance, egg weight, and flock uniformity. In contrast, pullets with lower initial body weight showed a slightly higher average weekly BWG during the observation period.]]>
Copyrights © 2026
