North Carolina Layer Management & Performance Test
|
Issue
The purpose of the test is to North Carolina producers with strain evaluations and management under common husbandry and environmental conditions. The test of is the only one of this experimental design, type and size remaining in the world. This extension project has expanded over the 50 years of its existence, developing and providing scientific answers to issues relating to hen welfare, behavior, molting practices, egg processing, and beak trimming practices facing the entire egg industry. Much of the behavioral research in this program has centered on the practice of molting, widely used in the egg industry, and in turn, has helped industry organizations establish applicable animal care guidelines. A change in focus came with the development of a cage-free and range production component, now integrated into the next layer test: the new layer test component focuses in on such alternative production practices. This change was initiated in the 37th NCLP&MT Report Vol. 37 No. 4, with the presentation of the range production environment. In the 38th NCLP&MT this approach was expanded to include Cage-Free production along, with the Range production; and the test was designed to allow strain comparison within all three environments.
What Has Been Done
This program deals with egg production-type chickens in production environments used by the industry and provides insights into laying hen well-being under different cage populations, and cage configurations, range conditions,cage-free production management, and molting practices. Non-Anorexic Molting programs are now industry standard; but better understanding of and refinements to these alternative molting programs are needed to enhance effectiveness related to the previous industry standard program of fasting.
In the past, these experiments included a survey of microbial shedding and egg quality from laying hens subjected to alternative molting programs. The effect of the advent of alternative housing, given its impact on egg production, may also influence egg solids for the egg breaking industry, along with egg functionality and food safety.
|
Impact
The NCLP&MT reports are sent to all the producers in North Carolina and an additional 230 reports are sent to producers and industry representatives throughout the US and 22 different countries.
|
The primary breeders, egg producers, and egg breaking companies are using the test with increasing |
intensity, to compare and evaluate the impact of strain, environment, and management on egg solids, functionality, and safety. Industry use of the test could lead to a shift in layer strain purchases on the part of the breaking companies, with the intent of enhancing product properties and so increasing sales to egg product purchasers. Commercial breeders have increased their support to cover some cost of the test research, as well as all publications and their associated postage. There is a web site where the reports can be accessed electronically (see link below).
Funding Sources
NCDA&CS
Hy-Line International
Lohman
Centurion Poultry
ISA Breeders of North America
American Egg Board (AEB)
US Poultry and Egg Association
Contacts
Kenneth Anderson, Professor of Poultry Science, N.C. State University
Phone: (919) 515-5527, Fax: (919) 515-7070, Email: ken_anderson@ncsu.edu
NC Layer Management and Performance Test web site
|