EGG production of turkeys is not important

A Study of Egg Production in Bronze Turkeys S. J. MAESDEN National Agricultural Research Center, Beltsville, Maryland EGG production of turkeys is not important commercially but good egg production during the breeding season is desirable in order to obtain a satisfactory number of poults per breeding female. To present information regarding the egg-laying ability and habits of turkeys is the purpose of this paper. The problem undertaken was to determine: (1) the average size of the egg laying clutches, (2) the extent to which Bronze turkey hens (under modern conditions of management) lay according to the "litter" theory, (3) the average number and length of the litters and of the pauses between them, (4) the average egg production up to the end of May of hens and not, (5) the effect of age on egg production occurring from commencement of laying to the end of May, and (6) the average annual egg production. Trapnest and flock egg records of Bronze turkeys obtained over a period of six years at the U. S. Range Livestock Experiment Station at Miles City, Montana, were the source of the data used in making the determinations. Asmundson and Lloyd (1935) reported average annual egg production, by a flock of un Bronze turkey females kept for five years at the California experiment station, of 76.6 eggs, 49.5 eggs, 44.2 eggs, 44.6 eggs, and 27.6 eggs for each of the five years, respectively. Albright and Thompson (1933) and (1932-1934) obtained an average of 85.73 eggs per hen from December 1 to July 1 at the Oklahoma experiment station and an average (Received for publication April 25, 1936) [439] production of 124.8 eggs per hen with a maximum production of 25 eggs in a full year. The were exposed to morning lights from December 1 to June 1 from 4:3 o'clock until daylight. Mussehl (1929) reported a first-year average of 95 eggs per hen from young un stock at the Nebraska experiment station. Barton, Moore, and Roderick (1932) reported that egg production by young un Bronze turkey hens at the North Dakota experiment station from commencement of production to June 2 varied from less than 1 to 61, and that "in only 6 cases (out of 34) did the hens appear to lay in the clutch plan usually credited to turkey hens." Moore and Berridge (1934) reported that when lights were turned on at 5: a.m. January 1, at the Michigan experimental substation at Lake City, regular laying started January 24 to January 27. METHODS AND MANAGEMENT Double-yolked eggs, eggs broken by the hens, and thin-shelled eggs were included in the count of the normal eggs. Abnormally small and soft-shelled eggs were not included. The total number of abnormal eggs, however, was very small. In the case of the trapnested pens, eggs laid on the floor were included only in the pen averages. Adjustments for mortality or removal for other causes were made in each case by substituting (from a pen not on record) a bird of similar age, size, and breeding and including her production in the pen average. Downloaded from http://ps.oxfordjournals.org/ at Penn State University (Paterno Lib) on May 1, 216

44 POULTRY SCIENCE of eggs in clutch 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 1 11 12 13 14 19 Total number of clutches Average size of clutch (eggs) TABLE 1. clutches according to number of eggs in clutch March 171 hens 42.97 29.71 12.47 7.43 2.65 2.39 1.6.53.8 377 2.17 in their first laying season; data from years 193 and 1931 combined April 37.22 23.94 17.8 9.45 4.86 3.32 1.28.94.34.6.9.9.9 1,174 2.5 The diets used apparently contained sufficient protein and other nutrients to supply the material needed for heavy egg production. Alfalfa hay was kept before them in racks during each winter and spring. Following is a formula typical of the diets used. All-Mask Turkey Laying Diet No. 75 Parts by weight Bran 6. Middlings (standards) 25. Ground oats 2. Ground yellow corn 3. Alfalfa leaf meal 4.5 Meat scrap (5% protein) 3.5 Fish meal (Alaska herring 69% protein) 2. Dried buttermilk 4. Ground oyster shell 3.5 Salt.5 Cod liver oil 1. (pt.) Total 1. Supplements: Water, gravel, and alfalfa hay. Feed was offered ad libitum, without artificial lighting, during the entire year May 36. 27.2 18.38 9.85 4.7 2.74.43.22.22.33.11 914 2.36 March, April and May 37.65 25.96 17.2 9.29 4.46 2.96.93.61.24.53.4.8.4 2,465 2.39 64 hens in second laying season; year 1931 Inarch, April and May 42.19 24.61 17.16 8.86 3.23 1.83.98.42.28.14.14.14 711 2.23 of 52 weeks, in 193 and 1931. From 1932 to 1935, inclusive, artificial lighting was used from early in February to April 15 each year from 4: a.m. until daylight and feed was offered ad libitum to about June 1. Small yards were available to the during the first six months of each year; and large yards were available during the second six months. Flock egg records are reported for the entire year in 193 and 1931. Trapnest records extended only from start of production to May 31, inclusive. In so far as practicable all hens were broken of their broodiness as soon as it could be definitely identified by confining them for several days to wire cages with feed and water before them. SIZE OF EGG LAYING CLUTCHES The term "clutch" is used to designate the number of eggs laid on successive days. Table 1 contains data on the size of the Downloaded from http://ps.oxfordjournals.org/ at Penn State University (Paterno Lib) on May 1, 216

NOVEMBER, 1936. VOL. XV, No. 6 441 egg laying clutches of Bronze turkeys taken from trapnest records of hens in their first and second years of production during the seasons of 193 and 1931. The hens were fed egg-producing diets but were not subjected to artificial lighting. The data in Table 1 show that 37.65 percent of the clutches of eggs laid by young Bronze turkey hens during the normal breeding season consisted of one egg each and 25.96 percent of them consisted of two eggs each. For hens in their second production year the figures were 42.19 percent and 24.61 percent, respectively. Seventeen and twenty hundredths percent of the clutches consisted of three eggs each in both age groups. The average size of the clutch was 2.39 eggs for the young hens and 2.23 eggs for the older hens. Young hens laid a noticeably higher percentage of one-egg clutches in March than they did in April or May, March being the month during which most of them started production. EGG LAYING ACCORDING TO LITTERS Apparently the basis of the "litter," "clutch," or "setting" theory referred to in discussions of the habits of turkeys is that under natural conditions where turkey hens are allowed to lay and sit, the average hen lays about as many eggs as she can cover with her body, then incubates them and raises the poults. However, it has been noted that when turkeys are fed and managed with a view toward obtaining maximum egg production, the division into the so-called litters, separated from each other by a period of broodiness is, while noticeable, not so common as might be supposed. In the compilation of the data in Table 2, a pause in production of five days or more was selected as the division point between the litters. A "litter" of eggs, as considered in this study, signifies therefore, the number of eggs laid between pauses in production lasting five days or more, or between the beginning of production and a pause of that length or longer. Only the production occurring up to the end of May was recorded. Hens that showed, up to the last day of May, one pause in production lasting five days or longer were considered as onepause hens. The number of eggs in the first litter could therefore be determined. Most of these one-pause hens resumed production before June 1, therefore the length of the pause could be recorded. Those that did not resume production before June 1 were also considered as one-pause hens but the number of days in the pause could not be determined. With hens that showed two pauses, the size of the first two litters and the length of the first pause could be measured. About half of these hens resumed production before June 1 which made possible the recording of the length of the second pause. A few hens showed three pauses which permitted measurement of the first three litters and the first two pauses, the third being incomplete for most of the. Table 2 contains figures obtained from the trapnest records of more than four hundred Bronze turkey hens showing the length and frequency of the egg litters and of the pauses between them. The number of litters laid appeared to be determined largely by hereditary factors as the method of feeding and management was generally uniform in all of the breeding groups and within each breeding group. The size of the litters varied inversely with the number of litters, the larger the number of litters laid, the smaller being the size. The trapnest records of the turkey hens appeared similar to those of chicken hens laying at about the same rate and showing broodiness. About 48 percent of the hens showed no pause (of five days or more) up to the end of May. Among the hens (about 52 percent of the total number) Downloaded from http://ps.oxfordjournals.org/ at Penn State University (Paterno Lib) on May 1, 216

442 POULTRY SCIENCE that showed a tendency to lay in litters as evidenced by the occurrence of one or more pauses before June 1, the litters averaged from 9.25 eggs in the third litter of the three-pause hens to 27.48 eggs in the first litter of the one-pause hens. Two-pause hens averaged 2.2 eggs and 15.48 eggs, respectively, in the first and second PRODUCTION DURING THE NORMAL LAYING AND BREEDING SEASON The normal laying and breeding season for turkeys was considered as extending from the start of production until May 31, inclusive. Turkeys hatched between April 1 and June 28 will, if well fed and properly TABLE 2. and size of litters of eggs laid by young Bronze breeding hens classified according to number of pauses observed up to the end of May Item Hens laying without pause Hens showing one pause Mean size of litter Hens laying after the pause Mean length of pause Hens showing two pauses Mean size of first litter Mean size of second litter Mean length of first pause Hens laying after second pause Mean length of second pause Hens showing three pauses Mean size of first litter Mean size of second litter Mean size of third litter Mean length of first pause Mean length of second pause Total number of hens involved 1931 not 4 48.85 38 34.39 26.21 29 9.3 18 28.5 14.56 11.39 1. 9 8.22 9 31. 14.56 7.89 6.78 8.56 7.22 15 litters. Three-pause hens averaged 1.75, 13., and 9.25 eggs, respectively. From the data obtained (up to the end of May only), it appears that litters vary in size from a few (five or six) eggs up to more than 82, which was the largest number of eggs laid to June 1 without a pause and as such constituted an incomplete litter. The largest litter completed by June 1 contained 63 eggs. The number of litters varied from one to four during the normal laying and breeding season. 1932 31 56.97 26 39.15 24.15 24 21.79 1 38. 17.3 15.2 1.4 7 18.14 67 1933 33 62. 27 41.11 24.7 22 19.27 27 4.52 21.3 16.19 14.7 17 15.47 3 36. 12.67 9.67 1. 8.33 11.33 9 1934 5 61.38 23 46.17 35.91 15 16.13 1 34.6 21. 12.7 12. 4 15.25 3 29.67 6.67 13. 6. 9.33 13. 86 1935 47 55.62 29 44.72 26.34 28 13.29 11 37.27 18.45 16.55 17.27 4 9.75 2 47.5 14. 18. 13. 9. 6. 89 Totals and for four seasons 1932-5 161 15 89 58 32 8 332 58.98 43.5 27.48 17.54 38.45 2.2 15.48 13.98 15.31 36.5 1.75 13. 9.25 8.88 1.63 managed, reach prime roasting condition in time to fill the normal fall and early winter (October 1 to December 31) demand for roasting turkeys. Furthermore, they will have the advantage of the natural growing season and green feed. Turkeys hatched earlier or later than the above dates may under present conditions be considered as out-of-season and as such constitute a separate problem. By using artificial lighting from about 4: a.m. until natural daylight starting early in February and Downloaded from http://ps.oxfordjournals.org/ at Penn State University (Paterno Lib) on May 1, 216

NOVEMBER, 1936. VOL. XV, No. 6 443 ending about April IS it was possible under Montana conditions to consistently bring young hens into heavy production early in March. Data on egg production during the normal breeding season are given in Table 3. 16.9 eggs for the un young hens and 17.3 and 17.2 eggs for the young hens. The time elapsing between the date lighting started and average date of first egg (of all hens) varied from 29 days in 1933 to 42 days in 1935. TABLE 3. Egg production of Bronze turkeys from start of production to May 31, inclusive Groups of young hens, one season only in each case 61 hens, trapnested (193), not 11 hens, trapnested (1931), not 74 hens, trapnested (1932), starting Feb. 9* 96 hens, trapnested (1933), starting Feb. 7* 98 hens, trapnested (1934), starting Feb. 6* 98 hens, trapnested (1935), starting Feb. 1* 5 hens, not trapnested (1935), starting Feb. 1* Weighted averages for un hens (193, 1931) Weighted averages for stock (1932, 1933, 1934, 1935) Groups of hens trapnested during first to fifth laying seasons 61 hens in first laying season (193) not 64 hens in second laying season (1931) not 31 hens in third laying season (1932) starting Feb. 9 26 hens in fourth laying season (1933) starting Feb. 7 25 hens in fifth laying season (1934) starting Feb. 6 Date of first egg Mar. 1 Mar. 2 Mar. 4 Feb. 19 Feb. 1 Feb. 11 Feb. 15 Mar. 1 Mar. 17 Mar. 1 Mar. 3 Mar. 15 Av. date of first egg Mar. 29 Mar. 24 Mar. 14 Mar. 8 Mar. 9 Mar. 15 Mar. 29 Apr. 7 Mar. 26 Mar. 16 Mar. 31 * On these dates, lights were turned on at 6:3 a.m. on succeeding days until 4: a.m. was reached. Average number of eggs produced per hen Feb..1.4.5.9.3 Mar. 3.3 5.9 11.7 16.4 15.2 1.6 17.8 5. 14.1 3.3.7 4.8 8.4 2.5 Apr. 18.5 17.9 17.7 15.7 18.4 17.7 16.6 18.1 17.3 18.5 13.2 12.8 7.7 7.6 May 17.1 16.8 17.1 16.5 17.4 18.8 15.3 16.9 17.2 17.1 13.9 11.5 7.6 3.6 Total to May 31 38.9 4.5 46.4 48.7 51.4 47.6 5.6 39.9 48.9 38.9 27.6 29.1 23.7 14. and the time was advanced 3 minutes each morning Downloaded from http://ps.oxfordjournals.org/ at Penn State University (Paterno Lib) on May 1, 216 Average egg production to the end of May of young Bronze hens exposed to artificial lighting varied from 46.4 eggs in 1932 to 51.4 eggs in 1934. In 193 and 1931 when not exposed to artificial lighting the average for young Bronze hens was 38.9 and 4.5 eggs, respectively. April and May production averaged 18.1 eggs and The egg production of a group of 61 young hens from start of production to May 31 (193), without lights, averaged 38.9 eggs. Essentially the same group of hens, 64 in number (with a few additions), laid an average of 27.6 eggs in 1931 without lights. In 1932, 31 of these hens selected at random from the 1931 survivors laid an

444 POULTRY SCIENCE average of 29.1 eggs with lights. In 1933, the same group of hens, minus five that died, averaged 23.7 eggs with lights. In 1934, the same group, minus one bird that died, averaged 14. eggs with lights. According to the data obtained from up to five years of age, Bronze turkey hens when exposed to morning lights beginning about February 1 may be expected to lay, up to May 31, an average of approximately 5 eggs during the first laying season, 36 eggs during the second season, 29 eggs for the third season, 24 eggs for the fourth season, and 14 eggs for the fifth season. ANNUAL EGG PRODUCTION Egg production for the entire season from start of laying to end of production in the fall is reported as follows. In 193 with 15 to 2 young hens not exposed to artificial lighting but fed ad libitum of an all-mash egg-laying diet, the total average production for the season was 55.8 eggs per hen. By months, egg production occurred as follows: 1.5 eggs in March, 17.4 in April, 13.8 in May, 1.7 in June, 7.9 in July, 3.9 in August, and.6 in September. Egg production started March 1 and ceased September 2. In 1951 with 16 to 2 hens (about one-third hens in their second laying season and two-thirds young hens), not exposed to artificial lighting but fed ad libitum of a mash-scratch egg-laying diet, the total average production for the season was 59.7 eggs. 4.2 eggs were laid in March, 16.4 in April, 15.2 in May, 1.7 in June, 8.8 in July, 3.8 in August,.5 in September, and.5 in October. Egg production started March 2 and ceased October 2. The higher production obtained in 1931 was at least partly attributable to the weather. The winter of 193-31 was unusually mild, causing production to start earlier than ordinarily. The hens were broken of their broodiness promptly up until about June 15 after which the broody were collected at three-week intervals and confined to broody coops for a few days. SUMMARY The size of the egg laying clutches (eggs laid on successive days) of Bronze hens in their first laying season averaged 2.39 eggs and of hens in their second laying season, 2.23 eggs. One-egg clutches constituted 37.65 percent of recorded for the young hens, and 42.19 percent of those recorded for the older hens. The largest clutch recorded was 19 eggs laid by a young hen on successive days. From the data obtained on egg production of Bronze turkeys from commencement of laying to the end of May, it is concluded that the number and size of the so-called litters of eggs laid by young turkey hens (between pauses of five days or more) are extremely variable, so much so that no specific statement can be made on the subject. These findings along with the similarity that was noted between the trapnest records of chickens and turkeys lead to the conclusion that turkeys, when fed and managed for maximum egg production (including prompt discouragement of broodiness) do not differ significantly in their egg laying habits from chickens. Some show much more broodiness than others, just as chickens do; and the same variations in intensity and persistency are readily observable. Bronze hens in their first laying season produced, without artificial lighting, an average of 39.9 eggs to May 31 (during 193 and 1931). The range was from seven to 62 eggs. Bronze hens in their first laying season, produced with artificial (electric) lighting starting early in February, an average of 48.9 eggs to May 31 (during the years 1932, 1933, 1934, and 1935). The Downloaded from http://ps.oxfordjournals.org/ at Penn State University (Paterno Lib) on May 1, 216

NOVEMBER, 1936. VOL. XV, No. 6 445 range was from, no eggs to 82, the highest record obtained. Records of 65 eggs and upwards were of common occurrence. Bronze hens in their second laying season produced, without artificial lighting, an average of 27.6 eggs up to the end of May. Bronze hens in their third laying season produced, with artificial lighting starting February 9, an average of 29.1 eggs during the same period; in their fourth laying season with lighting starting February 7, they laid an average of 23.7 eggs; and in their fifth laying season with lighting starting February 6, they averaged 14. eggs each. Annual egg production of Bronze turkeys averaged 55.8 eggs per young hen in 193; and 59.7 eggs per hen in 1931 in a flock composed of two-thirds young hens and one-third hens in their second laying season. Artificial lighting was not used. REFERENCES Albright, W. P. and R. B. Thompson, 1933. Securing early turkeys by stimulated egg production. Poul. Sci. XII :124-128. Albright, W. P. and R. B. Thompson, 1932-1934. Report of the Oklahoma Agricultural Experiment Station. Asmundson, V. S. and W. E. Lloyd, 1935. Effect of age on reproduction of the turkey hen. Poul. Sci. XIV:2S9-266. Barton,. A., F. E. Moore, and L. M. Roderick, 1932. Turkey production in North Dakota. Agr. Ext. Div. Circ. 82. Moore, J. M., and A. M. Berridge, 1934. Michigan turkeys. Ext. Bui. 137, Mich. State College. Mussehl, F. E., 1929. Turkey production. Neb. Agr. Exp. Sta. Circ. 34. Downloaded from http://ps.oxfordjournals.org/ at Penn State University (Paterno Lib) on May 1, 216