Use of hatch date for broiler breeder production planning

Department of Anatomy and Animal Production, University of Santiago de Compostela, Lugo, Spain. eanava@correo.lugo.usc.es

Data on 109 batches of broiler breeders belonging to six strains and bred in conventional sheds were analyzed to determine the possible influence of natural day length cycle phase on age at start of laying, at sexual maturity, and at peak egg production. The dependence of these variables on date of hatching was characterized by polynomial regression analysis. The resulting equations constitute simple, novel empirical models that are in keeping with current theory on the effects of photoperiod on sexual maturation, and should facilitate production planning in broiler breeder farms.