Commercial Egg Production in Britain

New Zealand Journal of Agriculture, Volume 90, Issue 4, 15 April 1955, Page 401

Commercial Egg Production in Britain

IN the first article of this series on poultry ■ husbandry in Britain in the February issue of the "Journal" F. C. Bobby, Superintendent, Poultry Industry, Department of Agriculture, Wellington, described the poultry industry organisation and referred to poultry breeding practices in Britain. This article describes the practical aspects of table egg production and refers to the changes in management methods which have taken place in the last 10 years. 'TWO features of commercial egg J- production in Britain at present as compared with, say, 10 years ago are the greatly increased use of crossbred pullets and the marked swing toward management under intensive conditions as opposed to the use of the semi-intensive and free range systems. Crossbred Pullets The introduction of sex-linked crosses in poultry was a breeding development which gave the first real impetus to the use of crossbred birds for egg production. In particular the Rhode Island Red cross Light Sussex proved most popular before the Second World War, as the brown pullet proved to be a good laying bird when satisfactory parent stock was used, and the white cockerel could be turned into a profitable table bird. In addition the -linked inheritance for colour permitted the separation of the sexes at a day old. With the establishment of chick sexing by the Japanese manual method as a routine practice for. separating the sexes of chicks at a day old the importance of , sex-linked inheritance for colour was appreciably lessened.

Nevertheless crossbred pullets for egg production had come to stay. During and since the war increased attention has been paid to the so-called hybrid vigour or heterosis which is developed when two separate breeds are crossed. Experimental work and practice indicate that hybrid vigour tends to increase viability, particularly during the rearing stages, and also egg production. Further attention has been given to selecting inbred strains of purebred stock for ultimate crossbreeding with in many instances significant increases in egg production as compared with the production of the parent stock. An endeavour is now being made to develop crossbred pullets of a comparatively low body-weight but with high egg production. Such birds give production comparable to other laying stock, but require less food, maintenance requirements being lower than for those birds with greater weight or body size. The commercial egg producer in Britain sees an economic advantage in running crossbred pullets, which tend

to rear more easily, give a reduced over-all wastage as adults, and lay more eggs than the average purebred birds available. These crossbred pullets appear to be standing up to modern mass production methods better than average present-day purebred birds. Fortunately it is being recognised that it is essential to maintain high-quality purebred stock from which to breed the crossbred layers. Consequently, as was stated in the first article of this series, there has been no relaxation by specialist pedigree poultry breeders in their endeavours to raise the production and viability standards of the pure breeds. Though crossbred birds may be used extensively for straight table egg production, there is and always will be a place for the pedigree breeder of purebred stock. Intensive Systems for Egg Production Before the Second World War most table eggs were produced by birds which were run under the semi-inten-sive, fold unit or free range systems. It is here that a limited number of battery cage or laying cage units had been established; sufficient in fact to

indicate the value of this system for commercial egg production. Then came the war and food supply difficulties made the feeding in battery; cages somewhat of a problem, Since the end of the war there has been a marked change-over from the oeen. a marxea cnange over irom me systems named to battery cages, deep-litter houses, and straw yards, all intensive systems of management, ls interesting to review why this change has taken place. In the past in Britain as in New Zealand egg prices have fluctuated with the season of the year and the egg supply position. Prices have been low during spring and early summer during the egg flush period and high in winter when eggs are in short supply. Poultry farmers have always endeavoured to get winter egg production to catch the higher price at that time. In the past the main management aids to this end have been hatchjn g future layers at the right time and the use of artificial lighting (electric lighting) during winter. The introduction of laying batteries quickly demonstrated that increased winter egg production can be obtained with this system as compared with the semi-intensive system, even when

artificial lighting in winter is used with the latter system. During the war and post-war years the deep litter system was developed and as experience has grown with this new system it has . become evident that it is another method by which increased winter egg production can be obtained. At the same time experience was gained with the straw yard system, which has proved to be a better proposition for winter egg production; more particularly for the general farmer who in the past has kept birds on free range or in fold units.'; . Thus the commercial egg farmer in Britain is turning more and more toward intensive systems for. running pullet flocks because of the chances of increased winter egg production and the consequent greater monetary returns in winter. Comparison of Intensive Systems If it is accepted that the intensive systems give increased winter egg. production as compared with the semiintensive fold unit and free range system, the question arises as to which of the intensive systems give the best money return for eggs produced. Evidence collected to Britain from experiments and practical demonstrations indicates that the highest production, particularly in winter, can be obtained with laying batteries including the use of artificial lighting during the winter months. -

The laying battery system involves a considerable capital outlay on metal cages plus a satisfactory laying battery

Bullet ns ■ for the Commercial Poultry Keeper Free Bulletins Nos. 327 Internal and External Parasites : of Poultry. 331 Symptoms and Control of Fowl Pox. _ \.; 365 Nutritional Deficiencies and Diseases of Poultry. '— Utility Poultry Standards. Chargeable Bulletins Nos. 197 Theory and Practice of Incubation. ~ 6d. 198 Theory and Practice of Feeding. < .' ' 6d. The above bulletins, part of a series of over 350 on all 'aspects of farming, are available post free from the nearest office of the Department of Agriculture, or from the Head Office of the . Department, Box 2298, Wellington.

house. Figures quoted in July of last year were 20s. to 30s. per single bird cage and a further 20s. per bird for the battery house. It was stated that on average it cost 455. per bird as a capital charge for the laying battery system. The cost per cage varies according to. whether the battery is fully mechanised; that is, has the cafeteria or static type of feeding. Costs are reduced when two birds are placed in each cage, the latter then costing 20s. per cage. For reasons which were not evident there does not appear to be a majority of two-bird cage batteries in spite of the obvious saving. ■ ' . Considerable interest in the laying battery system is being shown in New Zealand at present. A limited number of laying battery units have been established; in some cases with equipment from Britain. It is reasonable to believe that this system has a future in New Zealand and will gradually increase in popularity in spite of the heavy capital cost. Imported cages are about double the price of those quoted for Britain. Experience of this system under New Zealand climatic conditions will be necessary, but it is highly probable that for many areas the type of battery house used could be much simpler in construction and therefore .- cheaper than those used overseas where severe winter conditions are experienced.