Hy-Line International Online Management Guide

Contents 

Hy-Line International Online Management Guide 

Management guide for all Hy-Line varieties of laying hens 

Online Management Guide Home 

What is New 

Search the Online 

Management Guide 

Download the Online 


Print the Online Management 

Guide 

Contact Hy-Line International 

Disclaimer 

Management 

Management for Breeders 

Lighting Program 

Health 

General Nutrition 

Nutrition Recommendations 

Performance Standards 

EggCel Spreadsheet Application 

Graph the performance of your flock 

Introduction 

The Hy-Line International Online Management Guide has its roots in the Hy-Line Red 

Book, Management and Disease Control book, which was published many years ago. 

The Red Book contained detailed information about management and health of Hy- 

Line's laying hens and was in a folder-format with loose sheets of paper that could be 

replaced when updated. The Red Book was eventually replaced by individual printed 

management guides for each of Hy-Line's varieties of laying hens. These individual 

management guides were updated every 2 to 3 years. 

In the spirit of the Red Book, Hy-Line will provide up-to-date management information 

and recommendations about all our hens more frequently through this online 

management guide. 

The original Hy-Line Red Book. 

The pictured copy is relatively recent with a publication date of 1982. 

This page was last updated May 20, 2010 

© Copyright 2010 Hy-Line International 

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What is New 








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Health 








What is New 

This section contains a list of new or updated information in the Red Book. 

August 3, 2010 Avian urolithiasis (gout) (new). 

August 3, 2010 Ventilation (revised). 

August 3, 2010 Basic rules of lighting, definition of housing styles (revised). 

August 3, 2010 Perches (revised). 

June 28, 2010 Molting recommendations (revised). 

June 28, 2010 Nutrition and egg weight (revised). 

May 24, 2010 Ventilation (revised). 

May 24, 2010 Molting recommendations (revised); including post-molt nutrition 

recommendations for Hy-Line W-36, W-98, Gray, Brown, and Silver Brown. 

May 20, 2010 No updates. The Hy-Line Online Management Guide is completely 

new. 

This page was last updated August 3, 2010 


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Contents 




What is New 








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Health 






Search the Hy-Line International Online 


Enter your search criteria in the box below to search the Hy-Line International Online 

Management Guide. 

Note: The search function is only available if your computer is connected to the Internet. 



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Download the Hy-Line Online Management Guide 

to Your Computer 

The electronic version of the Hy-Line Online Management Guide is available on-line, is 

searchable, and frequently updated. In addition, the Hy-Line Online Management Guide 

is also available for installation on your personal computer. You can download the Hy- 

Line Online Management Guide using the links below or you can request the Hy-Line 

Online Management Guide on CD-ROM by contacting Hy-Line Technical Service at 

RedBook@hyline.com. 

Download and installation instructions 

If you wish to install the Hy-Line Online Management Guide on your personal computer, 

right-click or control-click the link below and select "Download Linked File" or "Save 

Target As" from the pop-up menu. 

Download the Hy-Line Online Management Guide (.zip format, 16.5 MB). Updated 

August 3, 2010. 

The Hy-Line Online Management Guide is compressed ("zipped") to facilitate faster 

downloads and must be extracted before it will work. To install the 

downloaded Hy-Line Online Management Guide on your computer, follow these 

instructions: 

1. Right-click or control-click the downloaded folder. 

2. Select "Extract all files" from the pop-up menu (or you may wish to use a third-party 

expander software). 

3. Follow the instructions on your screen to save the extracted Red Book to your 

computer. 

4. Open the extracted folder and double-click the file called "RedBook.html". 

That is it. The Hy-Line Online Management Guide will open in your favorite Web browser 

(e.g., Safari, FireFox, Google Chrome, Internet Explorer, etc.) and you can create a 

bookmark to the Red Book on your hard drive just like you would any other bookmark for 

easy access. You do not need Internet connection to view the Red Book as it resides on 

your computer's hard drive. However, the downloaded Hy-Line Online Management Guide 

on your computer will not be automatically updated (as will the on-line version), so you will 

need to visit the web site on a regular basis to download updated versions of the Red Book. 

Contact Hy-Line Technical Service at RedBook@hyline.com with questions. 



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Print the Hy-Line Online Management Guide 

The electronic version of the Hy-Line Online Management Guide is available on-line, is 

searchable, and frequently updated. In addition, the Hy-Line Online Management Guide 

is also available for installation on your personal computer. However, Hy-Line realizes 

that you may want a printed version of the Hy-Line Online Management Guide. 

Performance and nutrition information for individual Hy-Line 

laying hens 

Tables of performance standards and nutrition recommendations for each of Hy-Line's 

varieties are available in pdf format for easy printing. 

Performance standards. Click on the link and select the Hy-Line variety of interest. 

Nutrition recommendations. Click on the link and select the Hy-Line variety of 

interest. 

Print the entire Hy-Line Online Management Guide web site 

If you prefer to print the whole, entire Hy-Line Online Management Guide web site, you 

can download the pdf file here and print the specific pages you are interested in. 

Because of limitations of printing web sites and the frequent updates to the Hy-Line 

Online Management Guide, the use of the Internet version is recommended. 

RedBook.pdf (8.6 MB; 443 pages). Updated August 3, 2010. 



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Do you have comments or questions about the Hy-Line Online Managemetn Guide? 

Please contact Hy-Line International at RedBook@hyline.com. 

You may also find more information about Hy-Line International at our web site, 

www.hyline.com. 



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Disclaimer 

The information and suggestions contained in this online management guide should be 

used for guidance and educational purposes only, recognizing that that local 

environmental and disease conditions may vary and a guide cannot cover all possible 

circumstances. While every attempt has been made to ensure that the information 

presented is accurate and reliable at the time of publication, Hy-Line cannot accept 

responsibility for any errors, omissions, or inaccuracies in such information or 

management suggestions. 

Further, Hy-Line does not warrant or make any representations or guarantees regarding 

the use, validity, accuracy, or reliability of, or flock performance or productivity resulting 

from the use of, or otherwise respecting, such information or management suggestions. 

In no event shall Hy-Line be liable for any special, indirect or consequential damages or 

special damages whatsoever arising out of or in connection with the use of the 

information or management suggestions contained in this management guide. 



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Contents 





House Preparation 

Pullet Management 

Socialization of Birds 

Cage Growing 

Floor Growing 

Floor Systems 

Perches 

Monitoring Body Weights 

Body Weight Uniformity 

Beak Treatment 

Moving from Grower to Layer 

Facilities 

Nest Training 

Molting 

House Temperature and 

Relative Humidity 

Ventilation 



Health 







The genetic potential of Hy-Line varieties can only be realized if good poultry husbandry 

practices and management are used. The Hy-Line Red Book management guide 

outlines successful flock management programs and provides management 

recommendations for Hy-Line's varieties based on field experience compiled by Hy-Line, 

extensive grandparent flock records cataloged by Hy-Line from all parts of the world, and 

principles taken from industry technical literature. Where a difference between varieties 

exists it will be noted in the text. 



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Cage Systems for Breeders 

Parent-Stock Mating Ratios 

Hatchery Management 

Hatching Egg Care 

Gender Identification of 

Chicks 


Health 






Breeder Management 

The management and nutrition of breeders (parent stock) follow the same principles as 

for commercial hens; these principles are explained in detail throughout the Red Book. 

However, a few items are unique to breeders and these are explained through the links 

to the left. 



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Contents 







Basic Rules of Lighting 

Midnight Feeding 

Health 






Lighting Programs 

Egg production is very closely related to the changes in day length. Body weight gain in 

grow, egg numbers, egg size, livability, and total profitability can be favorably influenced 

by a proper lighting program. 

When open-type houses are used, which allow natural daylight to affect the flock, the 

lighting program must be planned in conjunction with changes in the natural day length. 

Because no 2 places have the same sunrise-sunset times year-round, custom lighting 

programs for any location worldwide are available. Grandparent flocks can use the 

settings for parent flocks. 

The customizable lighting program is available in multiple languages and will create a 

downloadable spreadsheet with sunrise and sunset times for any location in the World 

and the lighting program for your flock. The following are screenshots from the lighting 

program (see also the section on Basic Rules of Lighting). 

Lighting program available in different languages for any location around the world. 

Example from the lighting program, showing weekly changes in artificial light (green bars) and natural light 

(black line) for a given location and time of year.

Example from the lighting program, showing the actual times for turning artificial lights on and off (as well as 

This page was last updated July 17, 2010 


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local sunrise and sunset times).

Contents 







Health 

Biosecurity 

Vertically Transmitted 

Diseases 

Vaccination 

Infectious Bursal Disease 

Internal Parasites 

Coccidia 

External Parasites 

Fowl Pox Prevention 

Avian Urolithiasis (Gout) 






Health 

A flock of pullets or layers can only perform up to its genetic potential when disease 

influence is minimized. The appearance of various diseases can vary from a subclinical 

effect on performance to outright severe mortality. The diseases of economic importance 

vary widely between locations, but in every case the challenge is to identify and control 

those diseases. 

Choose the links on the left to learn about maintaining health of Hy-Line's birds. 



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Contents 







Health 


Feed Management 

Energy 

Protein and Amino Acids 

Use of Exogenous Feed 

Enzymes 

Feeding the Pullet 

Feeding the Laying Hen 

Nutrition and Egg Weight 

Nutrition and Eggshell Quality 

Drinking Water 

Rapeseed Meal (Canola) and 

Hy Line Brown Hens 





General Nutrition Recommendations 

The nutritional recommendations presented in this guide result in excellent production in 

a wide variety of situations and are derived from observations in the field with Hy-Line 

pullets and laying hens. However, specific conditions and specific production objectives 

may necessitate increasing or decreasing the recommended daily energy and nutrient 

intakes. In such cases, advice from Hy-Line Technical Service and/or a professional 

nutritionist is recommended. 



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Contents 







Health 



Vitamins 

Trace minerals 

—— 

Hy-Line W-36 


Hy-Line Brown 

Hy-Line Silver Brown 

Hy-Line Gray 

—— 

Hy-Line W-36 Parent Stock 


Hy-Line Brown Parent Stock 

Hy-Line Silver Brown Parent 

Stock 









intakes. In such cases, advice from Hy-Line Technical Service or a professional 


Energy recommendations 

A range of recommended energy concentrations is provided to accommodate several 

situations where diets of different densities are needed (and to accomodate regional 

differences in energy table values of feed ingredients). As a general rule, the energy 

concentration at the low end of the recommended range corresponds to the higher feed 

consumption rates. Increased energy and nutrient density of the feed is useful at certain 

times, especially when energy consumption may be a limiting factor, such as the critical 

period between housing and peak production (see sections for Feeding the Laying Hen 

and the nutrition-program recommendations for each individual variety). Flocks 

consuming less than 260 to 280 kcal/day (1.09 to 1.17 MJ/day) per bird at peak 

production tend to suffer post-peak dips in production. 

Heat stress will also result in lower feed and energy consumption. As a result, increasing 

the energy content in the feed can result in better body weight gain, egg production, and 

egg weight, especially when the effective ambient temperature is high. Fats or oils are 

concentrated sources of energy and can be useful in increasing the energy content of 

feed. The digestion of fat produces less body heat (i.e., fat has a relatively low heat 

increment), which is useful during periods of heat stress. 

Amino acid recommendations 

The amino acid recommendations are based on digestible lysine and all other amino 

acids are calculated using ideal amino acid ratios. Recommendations for total amino 

acids is subsequently calculated using digestibility coefficients from corn (maize) grain 

and soybean meal. The ideal amino acid ratios used are based on a review of the 

literature, and may differ slightly among Hy-Line varieties. 

By basing the recommendations on digestible amino acids, the recommendations 

become independent of feed ingredient sources—in other words, the recommendations 

can be used for corn (maize) and wheat based diets alike. 

Because of variations in amino acid composition among and within feed ingredients, it is 

highly recommended to periodically analyze feed ingredients for amino acid content or— 

at the very least—analyze for the crude protein content (from which amino acid 

composition can be estimated). 

Calcium and phosphorus recommendations 

The recommended calcium (Ca) and (available) phosphorus (P or P av ) recommendations

esult in excellent eggshell and bone-structure quality. In some cases, lower-thanrecommended 

contents may produce good results as well, depending on the rate of egg 

production, egg weight, and age of the hens. Note that the recommendations are 

independent of the use of phytase. See also the section on avian urolithiasis (gout). 

Sodium (Na) and chloride recommendations 

Hy-Line birds need about the same number of milligrams of sodium (Na) per day as that 

of other laying hens. However, because their lower feed intake, the sodium content in 

percent of the diet should often be higher for Hy-Line hens than for other laying hens 

(see the Formulating for Feed Intake section and the suggested nutrition programs for 

each of Hy-Line's laying hens, available through the menu on the left). Hy-Line's hens 

can tolerate these relatively high levels of sodium without causing wet manure. Note that 

(even marginally) low consumption of sodium can cause nervous hens and may lead to 

feather picking and cannibalism. 

There is little recent research on chloride (Cl) needs of laying hens, so the minimum 

recommendations have been set to equal those of sodium. In contrast, there are some 

indications that relatively high consumption of chloride (Cl) may lead to wet manure and 

poor eggshell quality, but the maximum dietary chloride level is up to the individual 

nutritionist. Normally, there are no problems with dietary chloride levels of up to 0.30%. 



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Contents 







Health 









—— 





Stock 




Through the cooperation of our worldwide customer base and layer industry 

benchmarking companies, Hy-Line International is able to maintain a database of the 

most recent performance data on Hy-Line's varieties of laying hens. Depending on the 

specific variety, the database contains data of performance characteristics from millions 

of hens (e.g., over 30 million Hy-Line Brown and over 50 million Hy-Line W-36) for egg 

production, livability, feed and water consumption, egg weight, and egg mass. 

With this database, Hy-Line International develops performance standards for each of 

our varieties of hens. Therefore, the performance standards reflect the 

performances of Hy-Line hens under actual field conditions. All flocks 

submitted are used to calculate the average performance. We calculate the optimum 

performance using the data of the top 25% of the flocks. The data from these top-25% 

flocks reflect management practices which result in full expression of the genetic 

potential of the variety under field conditions. 

The flocks in our database show a range of performance and are subject to variation 

due to feeding, climate, and management systems. These different practices may not 

always meet the recommendations made by Hy-Line International, but fit the local 

conditions and economic circumstances of the specific market at the specific time. For 

example, feed costs were record-high in 2007 to 2008, which resulted in many changes 

to diets during this period. Some of the changes were not supportive of optimum egg 

production and were later modified to achieve the desired results. However, Hy-Line 

International does not 'mine the data' and strives to provide accurate information about 

the performance as it is observed in the field; therefore, these flocks subjected to 

suboptimal diets were included in Hy-Line's flock-performance database and used to 

determine the performance standards. Note that the performance of individual flocks will 

vary (even on the same farm), but the extremes will average out in a large data set such 

as ours, and even the extreme flocks represent part of the normal field variation. 



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Contents 







Health 

Biosecurity 


Diseases 

Vaccination 



Coccidia 










Introduction 

Avian urolithiasis, or gout, is not a single disease entity, but rather the result of kidney 

damage from any of a number of potential causes. Kidney damage can be caused by 

infectious disease, nutritional issues, toxic substances, or a combination of factors. 

Visceral gout is a condition of chickens that has been recognized for more than 30 years. 

Due to its striking lesions, many names have been used to describe visceral gout, such 

as acute toxic nephritis, renal gout, kidney stones, nutritional gout, nephrosis, and others. 

Visceral gout is readily recognized by its distinctive lesions which are characterized by 

white chalk-like deposits covering the surface of various abdominal organs as well as the 

pericardial (heart) sac. 

Pathology and Clinical Signs 

Gout occurs when kidney function has decreased to the point where uric acid (a 

nitrogenous waste) accumulates in the blood and body fluids. The uric acid subsequently 

precipitates as calcium sodium urate crystals in a variety of locations, particularly in the 

kidneys and on the serous membranes of the liver, heart, air sacs, and joints. The 

damaged kidneys are characterized by atrophied or missing portions of kidney lobes, 

kidney and ureter stones, and remaining kidney tissue that is swollen and white with 

urates. Compensatory enlargement of remaining normal kidney tissue takes place in an 

attempt to maintain adequate renal function. 

Figure 1. Gout lesions: White chalky deposits over the heart, liver, and abdominal cavity. 

Although gout has been recognized for some time as a cause of excessive pullet and

layer mortality, it continues to be a diagnostic challenge. Chickens affected by renal 

damage can continue to be productive until less than one third of kidney mass remains 

functional. As a result, birds can be in full production and exhibit few external symptoms 

until shortly before death. 

Figure 2. Kidney degeneration, leaving swollen ureter on the right side. 

Compensatory hypertrophy in lower lobes on the left side. 

Kidney Anatomy and Function 

The long, paired kidneys of the chicken are located in depressions in the pelvis bone in 

the abdominal cavity. They are normally reddish-brown in color and have 3 distinct lobes 

or divisions.

Figure 3. Normal kidneys 

The primary function of the kidney is to maintain the chemical composition of body fluids 

(blood). The kidney serves a variety of other functions in the body; removal of metabolic 

waste and toxic products, conserving fluids and vital electrolytes, regulation of blood 

volume, and production of hormones that regulate blood pressure and production of red 

blood cells. The kidney is truly a vital organ. When renal function stops, uric acid, 

normally excreted by the kidney in the urine, is then deposited any place that blood is 

circulated. A bird with no renal function will likely die within 36 hours. 

Causes of Gout 

The cause of gout is often difficult to determine. The original kidney damage may occur 

long before the onset of gout mortality. Possible factors that can cause or contribute to 

gout are nutritional, infectious, and toxic. 

Nutritional 

Nutritional or metabolic factors known to affect the kidneys are: 

Excess dietary calcium fed to immature pullets over a period of time will result in 

kidney damage that may lead to gout. This could result from a feed milling error, 

accidental delivery of layer feed to a growing house, or excessively early use of prelay 

diet (i.e., before 15-16 weeks of age). 

Grower diets that contain large particle-size CaCO3 (i.e., greater than 1-2 mm mean 

diameter) that allows individuals to selectively pick out and consume these particles,

Infectious 

in turn resulting in excessive intake of calcium. To ensure correct calcium intake, 

grower diets should contain CaCO3 only in a fine-powder form (i.e, 1 mm mean 

diameter or less). Larger particle size CaCO 3 may be used beginning with the pre-lay 

diet, after 15-16 weeks of age. 

Phosphorus has been shown to partially protect the kidney against calcium-induced 

damage. Phosphorus acts as a urinary acidifier and helps prevent kidney stones from 

forming. Marginally low available-phosphorus contents in grower diets has been 

associated with higher gout incidence. 

Sodium bicarbonate is sometimes used to improve egg shell quality or combat the 

effects of heat stress. Sodium bicarbonate can contribute to gout by making the urine 

more alkaline, which, with high levels of calcium, is an ideal medium for formation of 

kidney stones. 

Water deprivation, due to mechanical malfunction, may affect kidney function, but 

research has not demonstrated a direct result in gout. 

Vitamin A deficiency over a long period of time can cause damage to the lining of the 

ureters, but should be rare with modern vitamin formulation. 

Viral agents known to be involved in gout are infectious bronchitis (IB) and avian 

nephritis virus (ANV). Infectious bronchitis is a highly contagious virus that normally 

involves the respiratory tract, but can also affect the reproductive and urinary systems. 

Certain strains of bronchitis, termed nephropathogenic, have a special predilection for the 

kidneys. 

One mechanism by which bronchitis may affect the kidneys is chronic viral persistence 

leading to nephritis and renal failure over time. As young birds are most susceptible to 

bronchitis kidney damage, the initial infection may occur long before renal function is 

critically reduced and mortality occurs. When pullets sexually mature, they are placed on 

higher calcium diets to meet the demands of egg production. If the kidneys were 

previously damaged, they may no longer function normally with the higher level of 

calcium excretion, and the result is likely to be gout. 

Avian nephritis virus, an enterovirus that affects the kidneys, has been associated with 

kidney disease and serious outbreaks of mortality in Europe and Asia. Serological 

surveys show that antibodies to avian nephritis virus can be detected in chicken and 

turkey sera from around the world. Although most information at this time suggests only a 

subclinical role for avian nephritis virus, research has shown avian nephritis virus 

inoculated into healthy chickens will cause inflammation of the kidneys and could lead to 

gout. 

Toxins 

Poisonous substances (toxins), while widely distributed in nature, are not considered 

major causes of production loss or disease in poultry in most countries. There are, 

however, problems that can arise from nephrotoxic substances. Some potentially toxic 

substances are used on a routine basis, while others are the result of accidental 

exposure. 

Products used on a routine basis that have potential for human error and resulting 

toxicity are antibiotics, anticoccidials, minerals, vitamins, manufactured chemicals, and 

pesticides.

Control 

Antibiotics, such as sulfas and aminoglycosides, are eliminated from the body via the 

kidneys and are potentially nephrotoxic, particularly when water intake is restricted. 

Minerals and vitamins such as calcium, phosphorus, sodium, and vitamin D3 are 

potentially toxic to chickens. Chicks, however, are much more sensitive to toxicity, 

probably because their kidneys are not fully developed. 

Disinfectants and insecticides, when used according to manufacturers' 

recommendations, are safe and effective, but a miscalculation of dosage can result in 

toxicity. 

There are several mycotoxins that are nephrotoxic and/or hepatotoxic in laying hens, 

including ochratoxin A, oosporein, and deoxynivalenol (DON). The kidney and liver 

damage caused by ingesting these mycotoxins can cause gout among other clinical 

signs. 

Gout, when recognized as a problem in field cases, is likely to be a multi-factorial 

problem and identifying a specific cause is often difficult. Another reason for diagnostic 

difficulty is that kidney damage occurring during the growing period often has no apparent 

signs until the birds later come into egg production and are fed high calcium diets. 

Field cases and research have demonstrated the importance of interactions between 2 or 

more contributing factors, especially nutrition and infectious bronchitis. 

Nutrition 

The grower diets should contain no more than about 1% calcium (see the nutritional 

recommendations) in powder (i.e., less than 1-mm mean diameter) form up to 15-16 

weeks of age. A high calcium intake in immature pullets can cause serious kidney 

damage. 

The dietary content of available phosphorus levels should be adequate, typically 

0.45-0.50% in grower diets, see the nutritional recommendations for each individual 

Hy-Line variety. Insufficient phosphorus predisposes the kidneys to calcium damage. 

The pre-lay diet should not be used before 15-16 weeks of age, and should not be 

fed until the flock shows signs of sexual maturity (blooming of the combs and 

waddles). Do not supply more than the recommended 2.50-2.75% calcium in the prelay 

diet. 

If sodium bicarbonate is used, use only enough to supply 20-30% of the diet's 

recommended sodium content (with the remainder coming from salt, NaCl). A flock 

with gout should not be medicated with sodium bicarbonate or fed a diet that is highly 

alkaline (i.e., high levels of sodium or potassium). 

Review all calcium and available-phosphorous levels in the feeding program and 

follow the recommendations for the age and variety. Pullet and layer feeds should be 

routinely analyzed for calcium and phosphorus. 

Feed samples could be assayed for the presence of the mycotoxins citrinin, 

ochratoxin, and oosporein. 

Water deprivation should be avoided in growing and laying flocks. 

Infectious bronchitis 

Bronchitis alone has not been shown to trigger gout under research conditions, but in the 

presence of calcium-induced kidney damage, bronchitis greatly amplifies gout mortality. 

Due to the possible role of infectious bronchitis, the following should be considered. 

Infectious bronchitis vaccines should be administered according to the manufacturers' 

directions and recommendations. To provide optimum protection, the vaccination

program should include several live vaccinations of bronchitis (can be in combination 

with Newcastle) at about 3 weeks, 8 weeks, and 14 weeks of age by spray or 

drinking water. The degree of reactivity of the vaccinations starts low and then is 

gradually increased each succeeding time by using either a less attenuated virus or 

by giving it by a more reactive method, such as spray instead of water. Killed 

vaccines or live boosters throughout lay help keep bronchitis immunity high. 

The vaccine strains used should be those known to be endemic in the area. Use of 

several serotypes of bronchitis vaccine will generally improve cross-protection against 

other field variants and possibly against nephropathogenic strains. 

Due to the complex clinical signs associated with infectious bronchitis, a diagnostic 

laboratory should be enlisted to help in diagnosis and in virus isolation. Routine 

serological testing can provide initial indications of bronchitis challenges. Virus 

isolation may be facilitated with the use of specific-pathogen free (SPF) sentinel birds 

placed in the house and isolation attempts from them after 5 to 10 days of exposure. 

Treatment 

Experimental diets containing ammonium chloride, ammonium sulfate, DL-methionine, 

and methionine hydroxy analog all successfully acidify the urine. Please check with a 

local veterinarian if these treatments are approved for treatment in your the specific 

country the flock is located in. 

Summary 

The presence of gout mortality in pullets or layers indicates some form of kidney damage 

has occurred at an earlier time in the flock's life. Research supports a strong link for 

bronchitis and calcium-phosphorus imbalance as major causes of gout mortality. While 

this is likely to be the underlying cause for most cases of gout, other factors such as 

electrolyte balance, mycotoxins, and water deprivation need to be recognized as possible 

contributing factors. 

Likewise, any diet that increases urine alkalinity in combination with high calcium can 

contribute to gout mortality in pullets and layers. If gout does occur in a flock, mortality 

can be reduced by increasing the acidity of the urine to dissolve existing kidney stones or 

to prevent additional kidney stones from forming. 



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Contents 








Cage Growing 

Floor Growing 

Floor Systems 

Perches 





Facilities 

Nest Training 

Molting 



Ventilation 



Health 






Ventilation 

This section was written in collaboration with Dr. Hongwei Xin, Professor, Department of 

Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering and Department of Animal Science, Iowa State 

University, Ames, Iowa, USA. 

Ventilation is essential to ensuring the proper micro-environment for birds comfort and 

health throughout the production cycle. During cold weather, the role of ventilation is to 

remove the extra moisture and noxious gases (primarily carbon dioxide, CO2 , and 

ammonia, NH 3 ) in the barn generated by the birds, manure, and combustion where 

unvented heaters are used (e.g., in pullet or certain cage-free layer houses). The indoor 

relative humidity (RH) should be kept in the range of 40 to 60%, although occasionally 

higher RH (e.g., 70 to 75%) during part of the day will not adversely affect the birds. Too 

low RH (i.e., too dry air) in the barn can lead to dusty environment and is undesirable for 

the birds' respiratory health. Conversely, too high RH (too moist air) can lead to water 

condensation in less insulated barns and promote growth of microbial organisms. 

The NH3 concentration should be kept below 25 ppm, especially for pullets, because 

high NH3 levels can adversely affect bird health (respiratory system and eyes), feed 

intake, and production performance. The recommended ventilation rate (as shown in the 

table below) should be adjusted to achieve the target thermal environment (20 to 29 °C 

[68 to 85 °F] depending on age) and air quality. With the proper control of RH and NH3 concentration, the indoor CO2 level during cold weather generally falls below 3000 ppm, 

which is much lower than the recommended threshold for human or animal health. 

During warm weather, the role of ventilation is to remove the extra bird body heat to 

maintain the comfortable indoor temperature. The amount of ventilation used for 

temperature control (typically 3.7 to 5.6 m 3 /hour per kilogram of body weight or 1.0 to 1.5 

ft 3 /minute per pound of body weight) far exceeds the amount of air needed to control 

gaseous levels in the barn. Hence, in summertime, indoor NH3 or CO2 levels are not of 

concern. 

Provision of sufficient ventilation or fan capacity 

A common mistake is to assume a fan will deliver the amount of air as specified by the 

manufacturer without considering the operating static pressure or conditions of the fan 

(e.g., belt tightness, blade or shutter cleanliness). For instance, a 1.2-m (48-in) diameter 

fan is commonly considered to have an airflow capacity of 30,600 m 3 /hour (CMH) or 

18,000 ft 3 /minute (CFM). In reality, when operating at 25 Pa (0.1 inch water column) 

static pressure in a poultry barn, the fan may only deliver 18,700 CMH or 11,000 CFM, 

corresponding to 61% of the nominal capacity! Moreover, it is not uncommon that static 

pressure in some barns reaches 50 Pa (0.2 inch water column), which will reduce the 

airflow capacity even more. Hence, when determining the number of fans needed for the 

barn, one must take into consideration the influence of static pressure and degradation 

of the fan capacity over time due to motor wearing, loose belt, and dirty blades or 

shutters. Otherwise the barn will end up being considerably short of ventilation capacity. 

Running fans under higher static pressures, such as 50 Pa, unduly increases workload

of the fan motor and significantly reduces the fan performance efficiency, i.e., CFM 

output per unit of electric energy input. 

Proper distribution of the airflow 

Uniform distribution of the ventilation air to avoid dead zones or cold spots throughout 

the barn is as important as providing sufficient ventilation capacity. Uniform air 

distribution is attained by proper placement and operation of the barn air inlets and use 

of proper building static pressure. Under cold weather and for young birds, air should be 

distributed uniformly to the entire bird-occupied zone with minimal drafts. This is the 

reason for using cross-ventilation, as opposed to tunnel ventilation, which would create 

undesirable end-to-end temperature gradients or drafts, during cold weather. In contrast, 

for temperature control under warm and sometimes humid climate conditions, it is 

beneficial to increase air velocity over the birds to enhance body heat dissipation. The 

higher air velocity will add the wind-chill effect to the birds and reduce the impact of 

humidity, hence lowering the effective environmental temperature. Tunnel ventilation is 

typically used to achieve the higher air velocity. When air temperature exceeds certain 

level, say 35°C (95°F), increasing ventilation or air velocity alone will not achieve the 

needed cooling. Under such circumstances supplemental cooling, e.g., fan-pad 

evaporative cooling or high-pressure fogging needs to be employed to ensure bird 

thermal comfort. 

Below are suggested ventilation rates for Hy-Line W-36 and Hy-Line Brown measured 

per 1000 birds. 

See also the Temperature and Relative Humidity section. 

Suggested ventilation rates for Hy-Line W-36 (SI units) 1 

Outside 

ambient 

temperature 

°C 

First 

week of 

age 

m 3 /hour 

per 1000 

birds 

3 weeks 

of age 

m 3 /hour 

per 1000 

birds 

6 weeks 

of age 

m 3 /hour 

per 1000 

birds 

12 

weeks 

of age 

m 3 /hour 

per 1000 

birds 

18 

weeks 

of age 

m 3 /hour 

per 1000 

birds 

19+ 

weeks 

of age 

m 3 /hour 

per 1000 

birds 

32 340 510 1020 2550 5950 7650-9350 

21 170 255 510 1275 2550 4250-5100 

10 120 170 340 680 1870 2550-3400 

0 70 130 230 465 1260 850-1300 

-12 70 100 170 340 500 600-850 

-23 70 100 170 340 500 600-680 

1 The air quality and bird comfort must be considered when setting the ventilation rates. 

Suggested ventilation rates for Hy-Line W-36 (Imperial units) 1 

Outside 

ambient 

temperature 

First 

3 weeks 6 weeks 

week of 

of age of age 

age 

ft 3 /min ft 3 /min 

12 

weeks 

of age 

18 

weeks 

of age 

19+ 

weeks 

of age 

ft 3 /min per ft 3 /min per ft 3 /min per ft 3 /min per

°F per 1000 

birds 

per 1000 

birds 

1000 birds 1000 birds 1000 birds 1000 birds 

90 200 300 600 1500 3500 

70 100 150 300 750 1500 

50 70 100 200 400 1100 

4500- 

5500 

2500- 

3000 

1500- 

2000 

32 40 75 140 300 750 500-750 

10 40 60 100 200 300 350-500 

-10 40 60 100 200 300 350-400 


Suggested ventilation rates for Hy-Line Brown (SI units) 1 

Outside 

ambient 

temperature 

°C 

First 

week of 

age 

m 3 /hour 

per 1000 

birds 

3 weeks 

of age 

m 3 /hour 

per 1000 

birds 

6 weeks 

of age 

m 3 /hour 

per 1000 

birds 

12 

weeks 

of age 

m 3 /hour 

per 1000 

birds 

18 

weeks 

of age 

m 3 /hour 

per 1000 

birds 

32 360 540 1250 3000 7140 

19+ 

weeks 

of age 

m 3 /hour 

per 1000 

birds 

9340- 

12000 

21 180 270 630 1500 3050 5100-6800 

10 130 180 420 800 2240 3060-4250 

0 75 136 289 540 1500 1020-1700 

-12 75 110 210 400 600 700-1050 

-23 75 110 210 400 600 700-850 


Suggested ventilation rates for Hy-Line Brown (Imperial units) 1 

Outside 

ambient 

temperature 

°F 

First 

week of 

age 

ft 3 /min 

per 1000 

birds 

3 weeks 

of age 

6 weeks 

of age 

12 

weeks 

of age 

18 

weeks 

of age 

19+ 

weeks 

of age 

ft 3 /min 

ft 

per 1000 

birds 

3 /min per ft 

1000 birds 

3 /min per ft 

1000 birds 

3 /min per ft 

1000 birds 

3 /min per 

1000 birds 

90 210 320 740 1755 4200 

70 110 160 370 880 1800 

5500- 

7000 

3000- 

4000

50 75 110 245 470 1320 

1800- 

2500 

32 45 80 170 320 890 600-1000 

10 45 65 120 230 360 410-625 

-10 45 65 120 230 360 410-500 




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Contents 









Health 






Basic Rules for Lighting Programs 

Guidelines for growing period 

Start pullets with 20 to 22 hours of continuous and bright (20 to 30 lux, 2 to 3 footcandles) 

light during the first week of age. Alternatively, an intermittent lighting program 

(4 hours of light followed by 2 hours of darkness) can be used during the first week of 

age. The dark period (or periods) serves as 'resting time' and helps strong chicks to 

show the weak chicks how to find feed and water. 

The light intensity should be 30 lux (3 foot-candles) during the first week of age, after 

which it can be reduced to 5 to 10 lux (0.5 to 1.0 foot-candles) in cages or to 15 lux (1.5 

foot-candles) when grown on the floor. The higher light intensity for floor-grown birds will 

allow the birds enough light to navigate their environment. In cages, there should be 10 

lux (1.0 foot-candles) at the feed through and 5 lux (0.5 foot-candles) inside the cage. 

Reduce the day length weekly to reach 9 to 10 hours at 10 weeks of age or, if longer, 

the day length dictated by greatest natural day length in open or brownout houses. In Hy- 

Line Brown and W-98 lines, a constant day length of 9 hours may be used to control 

excessive body weight after 10 weeks of age. 

The light intensity in the grow and lay houses should be similar, because pullets can be 

stimulated to start egg production by an increase in light intensity even if the day length 

is unchanged. Therefore, the light intensity in the grow house should be gradually 

increased in increments of 5 lux (0.5 foot-candles) per week to the intensity used in the 

lay house, starting 2 to 3 weeks before the pullets are moved. 

Guidelines for laying period 

Onset of sexual maturity (egg production) generally depends on 4 requirements: 

a minimum chronological age which is genetically determined (17 weeks), 

a minimum body weight (see tables of 18-week target body weight for individual Hy- 

Line varieties), 

a nutrient and energy consumption to support production, and 

a constant or increasing day length of at least 12 hours. 

Light stimulation should not be provided until flocks reach the optimum body weight (see 

tables of 18-week target body weight for individual Hy-Line varieties). Flocks which are 

light-stimulated into production at lower body weights will likely produce below normal 

egg weight and suffer from reduced peak production and post-peak dips in production. 

Timing of light stimulation can be used as a tool to help attain desired egg size. In 

general, earlier light stimulation will result in a few more eggs per hen, but at a tradeoff 

for slightly reduced egg weight. Later light stimulation will result in a few less total eggs, 

but a slightly larger egg weight earlier in production. In this way, lighting programs can be 

customized to best meet the egg size demand of a particular market. 

Provide light stimulation when the target body weight is reached, usually around 17 to 19

weeks of age. The appropriate target body weight depends in part on the variety of hen 

and in part the desired egg size. Stimulation at a relatively early age or low body weight 

will result in production of a greater number of eggs with a lower average egg size, 

which will negatively impact chick quality. Stimulation at an older age or a heavier body 

weight will produce a few less eggs, but of greater average egg size. 

The initial light increase should be no less than 1 hour (especially in open or brown-out 

houses). Increase the day length by 15 to 30 minutes per week or once every 2 weeks 

until 16 hours of light is reached. Preferably, the period of increasing day length 

stimulation should last until peak production (i.e., until about 30 weeks of age). The light 

intensity at housing should be 15 to 30 lux (1.5 to 3.0 foot-candles) in light-controlled 

houses and 30 to 40 lux (3 to 4 foot-candles) in open-sided houses. 

Allow no decrease in day length or light intensity in adult layers. Such decreases in day 

length will adversely affect egg production. 

Guidelines for housing styles 

It is necessary to first determine what style of houses are being used regarding light 

control for both growing and laying. For the purpose of designing a flock lighting 

program, each house has to be designated either dark-out or open. 

Dark-out means there is essentially no outside light coming in the house that would 

physiologically affect the flock's maturity. In that case, the outside natural daylength 

can be ignored and the ligthing program be planned using only artificial lights. That 

said, it is beneficial to consider and synchronize the time of lights-on and -off with 

the natural sunrise and sunset, respectively, under the constraints of the artificial 

daylength. 

Open house styles mean there are windows, curtains, or even just enough light 

leakage through fans and air vents that allow outside natural daylight to significantly 

illuminate the interior of the house. In many cases, this cannot be avoided, but a 

lighting program with the desired light patterns can still be planned using artificial 

interior lighting added to the natural daylight changes occurring outside. 

Sometimes it is not clear whether a house is sufficiently dark-out or not, and these 

houses are often called brown-out. It is mostly light-controlled, but not totally dark, as 

some light gets in through the ventilation, etc. The question is how to consider the 

house, open or dark-out? 

One method is to measure the light intensity with a light meter. Compare the 

maximum mid-day light intensity with the lights on to the intensity with the 

lights off (measuring just the light leakage from outside). If the light leakage 

is less than 10% of the maximum value, it is probably insignificant in 

stimulating the birds and can be ignored (i.e,. consider the house dark-out). 

However, if it is more than 10% of that maximum value, it probably needs to 

be considered open. 

Another method is just to observe the flock's activity. With the lights off, will 

the flock awaken and become active when the sun rises, just from light 

leaking in from outside? If so, then consider the house as open for this 

purpose. Even with these guidelines, it is still a judgment call whether a 

significant portion of the flock is being affected by outside light. 

Light-controlled growing to light-controlled laying 

Step-down day length from 20 to 22 hours of light the first week of age to 9 to 10 

hours of light at 10 weeks of age and hold constant.

Increase day length 1 hour at the 18-week body weight target. Add 15 to 30 minutes 

per week until 16 hours total light is reached and hold constant. 

Light-controlled growing to open or brownout laying 

Step-down day length from 20 to 22 hours of light the first week of age to either 

9 to 10 hours of light at 10 weeks of age, or 

1 hour less than the natural day length the flock will be exposed to after 

moving to the layer house. 

Increase day length to 

natural day length or 

a minimum increase of 1 hour at the 18-week body weight target. 

Add 15 to 30 minutes per week (or every 2 weeks) until either 

16 hours total light, or 

at least the longest natural day length of the year. 

Open or brownout growing to light-controlled or brownout laying 


9 to 10 hours of light at 10 weeks of age or, if longer, 

the longest natural day length the flock will be exposed to from 8 to 18 weeks 

of age. 

Increase day length 1 hour at the 18-week body weight target. 



at least the longest natural day length of the year for brownout. 



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Contents 








Cage Growing 

Floor Growing 

Floor Systems 

Perches 





Facilities 

Nest Training 

Molting 



Ventilation 



Health 






Perches 

Perches provide a significant improvement to the growing and laying house environment. 

In grow, they allow birds to fully develop their leg and flight muscles and will habituate 

jumping behavior, which will be important in good nesting behavior and if the laying hens 

are later housed in aviaries. In addition, perches reduce the social stress by providing 

safe resting sites. In part because of the improvement in social pressure, perches can 

improve feed and water consumption, with resulting effects on body weight gain, body 

weight uniformity, and egg production. Perches also increase the effective space in the 

house, and piling is a common problem in flocks without access to perches. 

When pullets and laying hens are housed under cage-free condition, it is important that 

they have access to perches and that there is sufficient perch space. Perches helps 

improve the social environment as mentioned as above and significancly reduces 

occurences of eggs laid outside the nests (i.e., "floor eggs"). 

The dimensions for A-frame perches are shown in the drawing below. If individual 

perches are placed too close to the floor, birds cannot escape from social-stress 

situations. Perches above the feed or water lines, perches extending from the wall (i.e., 

half an A-frame), or other perch designs can also be used. The perch length depends on 

bird density (see table). If space allows, place perches on slats to maintain good litter 

conditions. 

A-Frame perch. The width (or diameter) of each perch should be 2.5 cm (1 in) or wider to allow for a 

comfortable grip. 

The length of all perches in the house depends in part on bird density (see table below). 

The recommended perch depends on bird density and laying-hen 

variety 

Bird density Minimum perch length per bird 

7 birds per m 2 

2 

Hy-Line W-36, W-98, and Gray Hy-Line Brown and Silver Brown 

2 cm 

(0.8 in) 

4 cm 

(1.6 in)

(1.5 ft /bird) 


(1.3 ft 2 /bird) 


(1.2 ft 2 /bird) 


(1.1 ft 2 /bird) 


(1.0 ft 2 /bird) 


(0.9 ft 2 /bird) 

4 cm 

(1.6 in) 

6 cm 

(2.8 in) 

8 cm 

(3.1 in) 

10 cm 

(3.9 in) 

12 cm 

(4.7 in) 




6 cm 

(2.8 in) 

8 cm 

(3.1 in) 

12 cm 

(4.7 in) 

13 cm 

(5.1 in) 

14 cm 

(5.5 in)

Contents 








Cage Growing 

Floor Growing 

Floor Systems 

Perches 





Facilities 

Nest Training 

Molting 



Ventilation 



Health 






Non-Fast Molting 

Many producers are now using programs to induce molting which do not involve fasting 

of the birds because of welfare concerns. The Hy-Line laying hens will perform very well 

after a rest, particularly in the latter weeks of the molt cycle with excellent shell quality 

and persistency. The optimum age for molting depends on the current flocks' 

performance, local egg markets, and scheduling of the next pullet flock, but is usually 

around 65 weeks. 

Induced molting can extend the productive life of a flock by improving rate of lay, shell 

quality, and albumen height. However, these levels will be somewhat lower than the best 

pre-molt values. Egg size will essentially remain unaffected and will continue to increase 

after egg production resumes. 

A flock can be induced to cease laying by a variety of methods. A welfare-oriented nonfast 

molting method has been developed that results in post-molt performance equivalent 

to that of fasting methods. Free access to water at all times during the non-fast molt is 

essential. It is important to know the sodium (Na) content of the drinking water. High 

sodium levels (i.e., 100 ppm or higher) can adversely affect this type of molt program. 

The best post-molt egg production is achieved after a complete cessation of egg 

production that lasts for at least 2 weeks and a concomitant loss of body weight to the 

18-week target weight (although, in the case of heavy birds, it is not recommended that 

the body weight loss exceed 24 to 25% of the pre-molt body weight for white laying hens 

and 21 to 22% for brown laying hens). After the initial body weight loss, the body weight 

can be held steady by a combination of adjusting the number of feedings per day and/or 

a shift to a higher-energy (laying-hen-type) diet. 

Because of the importance of the body weight loss during molt, it is recommeded to 

closely monitor the body weight of the flock during the molt process. Body weights 

should be collected twice per week from the same cages every time. The cages should 

be selected from bottom, middle, and top tiers; all rows; and from the front, middle, and 

end of the house. 

The following table outlines the recommendations for the non-fast molting program 

recommended by Hy-Line. Note that there are many different successful methods to 

molt laying hens. 

Non-fast molting recommendations 

Molt Light Feed Feed 

day type modification 1 

Feed 

intake 2 

House 

temperature 3 

Hours 

per 

day 

g/day 

per bird 

(lb/day 

per 100 

birds) 

°C 

(°F) 

Comments

-7 to 

-5 

-4 to 

-1 

16 

24 

Layer 

diet 

Layer 

diet 

Molt 

0-6 6-8 

4 

diet 5 

7-17 6-8 

18- 

19 

20- 

21 

22- 

24 

12 or 

16 6 

16 6 

16 

Molt 

diet 

Layer 

diet 7 

Layer 

diet 7 

Layer 

diet 7 

Fine-particle 

CaCO 3 

Fine-particle 

CaCO 3 , no 

added salt 

(NaCl) 

Fine-particle 

CaCO 3 

— 

Mixture of fine- 

andcoarse- particle CaCO 3 

as in a normal 

layer diet 

Full feed 

Full feed 

54-64 

(12-14) 

54-64 

(12-14) 

64-73 

(14-16) 

— Full feed 

— 

Full 

feed 7 

24-25 

(75-77) 

24-25 

(75-77) 

27-28 

(80-82) 

27-28 

(80-82) 

27-28 

(80-82) 

26-27 

(78-80) 

24-25 

(75-77) 

Fine-particle 

CaCO 3 diet: 

Remove all large- 

particle size CaCO 3 

and replace with 

fine-particle CaCO 3 

(less than 2-mm 

mean diameter). Do 

NOT change the 

percent calcium in 

the laying-hen diet. 

The higher house 

temperatures will 

help reduce feed 

intake and, in turn, 

facilitate a reduction 

in body weight to the 

18-week target 

weight (note that 

white laying hens 

should not lose 

more than 24-25% 

of their pre-molt 

body weight and 

brown laying hens 

should not lose 

more than 21-22% 

of the pre-molt body 

weight). 

Maintain body 

weight. 

Control (limit) feed 

intake to avoid fat 

birds. 

Lower house 

temperature as 

needed to increase 

feed intake. 

Lower the ambient 

temperature to 

"normal." 

1 Include a probiotic or a complex-carbohydrate product (e.g., mannan-oligo-saccharide; MOS) at 0.5 kg per 

metric ton (1 lb per 2000 lb) finished diet through all stages of the molt program. 

2 Feed intake depends on house temperature. Lower temperatures (colder) may require more feed. 

3 Depends on air quality in house. The suggested house temperatures may not be achievable in cold 

weather. 

4 Set lights at 8 hours or natural day length in open-sided houses. Normally, it is not necessary to change 

the light intensity.

5 The molt diet is high in fiber (low in energy) and contains no added sodium (Na) (i.e., no added NaCl or 

NaHCO 3 ). 

6 Light-stimulate the birds to bring the birds into production by increasing the light hours to the number of 

hours they were given before the molt (e.g., 15 or 16 hours). This increase can be performed over 1 week 

(i.e., from 8 hours to 16 hours in a single day) or over 2 weeks (i.e., from 8 to 12 hours and then from 12 to 

16 hours). Monitor and control feed intake for the first few days after light stimulation to avoid fat birds as 

they are getting back into lay (which would significantly increase egg weight in the second cycle). 

7According to the post-molt nutrition recommendations for the individual Hy-Line variety. 

Molt diet 

The molt diet is a low-energy, high-fiber diet with no added salt or sodium bicarbonate 

(such that all the sodium, Na, comes from the feed ingredients themselves). It should still 

contain trace minerals and vitamins to supply nutrients for a non-producing hen. The 

energy and nutrient recommendations for the molt diet is shown in the table below. In the 

United States, such a diet is made using corn grain and about 20% soybean hulls (plus 

vitamins and minerals). 

Molt diet nutritional recommendations. 

Item Molt diet 

Recommended concentration 1 

Metabolizable energy, kcal/lb 1180-1270 

Metabolizable energy, kcal/kg 2600-2800 

Metabolizable energy, MJ/kg 10.90-11.70 

Minimum recommended concentration 

Standardized (true) ileal digestible amino acids 

Lysine, % 0.30 

Methionine, % 0.15 

Methionine + cystine,% 0.32 

Threonine,% 0.18 

Tryptophan, % 0.10 

Arginine, % 0.38 

Isoleucine, % 0.18 

Valine, % 0.23 

Total amino acids 3 



Methionine + cystine, % 0.36 

Threonine, % 0.21 

Tryptophan, % 0.12




Crude protein (N × 6.25), 2 % 8.5 

Calcium, % 1.3-2.0 

Phosphorus (available), 3 % 

Sodium (Na), 4 % 

0.25 

0.03 

Chloride, % 0.03 

1 The recommended energy range is based on the energy values shown for the individual feed ingredients. 

Differences in the metabolizable energy value assigned to feed ingredients of the same name can differ 

substantially among regions; in some cases, the dietary recommended energy content may have to be 

adjusted accordingly (see the Energy section). As a general rule, the higher energy concentrations shown are 

appropriate for the lower feed intakes within a phase. 

2The minimum recommendations for total amino acids and crude protein are only appropriate with a corn 

(maize) and soybean meal diet; please formulate the diet on a digestible amino acid basis. 

3Digestible phosphorus is sometimes preferred over available phoshporus. However, there are insufficient 

data available to make recommendations about a minimum dietary content of digestible phosphorus. Instead, 

use the available-phoshorus recommendations and the available-phosphorus contents of feed ingredients. 

4The sodium (Na) content in the Molt-1 diet should not exceed 0.035%. 

This page was last updated June 28, 2010 


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Contents 







Health 



Energy 



Enzymes 













Body weight at point of lay influences yolk size, which, in turn, influences egg weight. 

Therefore, changing the pullet feeding and management program to increase body 

weight at point of lay can increase the egg size throughout the laying period and vice 

versa. 

During the laying period, egg weight can be influenced by changing the consumption of 

balanced protein or amino acids (of these, methionine has traditionally been used to 

affect egg weight), linoleic acid, and supplemental fat or oil. Rather than changing just 

methionine, it is recommended to change all the amino acids to influence egg weight. 

Consumption of energy will typically affect the rate of egg production before affecting 

egg weight, so the dietary energy content should normally not be changed in an attempt 

to influence egg weight. 

Note that if these nutritional strategies are used to influence egg weights to avoid 

excessively heavy eggs, it is important to start egg-weight control early in 

the production cycle (i.e., 2 to 3 g before the desired egg weight). Once the eggs 

are above the desired weights, it is difficult—if not impossible—to reduce egg weight 

without also reducing egg production. 

Strategies to decrease (or "control") egg weight include 

1. Reducing feed intake 

this may best be done by increasing the ambient temperature in the barn 

without negatively affecting air quality, or 

by controlling the number of feedings per day), 

2. Reducing the consumption of amino acids ("balanced protein") 

3. Reducing the consumption of fat or oil 

this may be done without affecting the dietary energy content through the use 

of exogenous feed enzymes 

for the Hy-Line W-36 and W-36 Parent Stock, reducing the dietary fat or oil 

content before peak production is helpful (as long as the birds still receive 

sufficient energy) 

4. Reducing the consumption of linoleic acid (C18:2 n-3) 

it appears that fat or oil in general (as opposed to a specific fatty acid) has 

more influence on egg weight than linoleic acid (at linoleic-acid intakes 

above 1 g per day) 

5. Reducing the body weight at point of lay (and avoid increases in body weight above 

the performance standards throughout the lay cycle). 

The opposite strategies can be used to increase egg size. All strategies (except perhaps 

body weight, which is not easily changed without changing egg production) can be 

implemented at different ages to influence the shape of the egg-weight curve. 

This page was last updated June 28, 2010

Contents 







Health 



Vitamins 


—— 






—— 





Stock 




Nutrition Recommendations for Hy-Line W-36 

Jump to the sections for: 

W-36 Growing period nutritional recommendations. 

W-36 Laying period nutritional recommendations. 

W-36 suggested nutrition program for laying period. 

W-36 Molt and post-molt nutritional recommendations. 

Download the combined W-36 performance and nutrition-recommendations tables 

for easy printing (pdf, 1243 kb). 

Hy-Line W-36 Non-fast molt nutritional recommendations 

See the molting recommendations for Hy-Line's recommendations for inducing a molt 

(includes nutrient recommendations for the molt diet). 

Hy-Line W-36 Post-molt nutritional recommendations 

After the Molt diet, when egg production commences, formulate diets according to level 

of desired percentage egg production and egg weight. The post-molt diets are 

formulated similar to that of the last laying hen diet fed, albeit with the following 

modifications: 

20 kcal/kg (9 kcal/lb, 0.08 MJ/kg) less energy, 

5% reduction in amino acid levels (corresponding to about 0.25 percentage points 

less crude protein), 

increased calcium content (see tables below), and 

decreased available-phoshporus content (see tables below). 

Hy-Line W-36 post-molt period nutritional recommendations. 

Item Peaking Above 83% to 

78% egg 

production 

Recommended consumption 

77-75% egg 

production 

Less than 75% 

egg production 

Calcium, g/day 4.35 4.55 4.75 4.95 

Phosphorus 

(available), 

mg/day 

500 450 400 350 

Recommended post-molt dietary calcium and available phosphorus 

contents. 

Peaking 

Feed consumption, g/day per hen 73 78 83* 89 93

Feed consumption, lb/day per 100 hens 16.1 17.2 18.3* 19.4 20.5 

Calcium, 1 % 5.96 5.58 5.24 4.94 4.68 

Phosphorus (available), 2 % 0.68 0.64 0.60 0.57 0.54 

Above 83% to 78% egg production 

Feed consumption, g/day per hen 83 88 93* 98 103 


Calcium, 1 % 5.48 5.17 4.89 4.64 4.42 


77-75% egg production 



Calcium, 1 % 5.59 5.28 5.00 4.75 4.52 


Less than 75% egg production 



Calcium, 1 % 5.76 5.44 5.16 4.90 4.67 


*Typical feed consumption in North America based on available data for the age. 

1 

Approximately 65% of the added calcium carbonate (limestone) should be in particle sizes 

of 2-4 mm. See also the Nutrition and Eggshell Quality section. 

2 

Digestible phosphorus is sometimes preferred over available phoshporus. However, there 

are insufficient data available to make recommendations about a minimum dietary content 

of digestible phosphorus. Instead, use the available-phoshorus recommendations and the 

available-phosphorus contents of feed ingredients. 



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Contents 







Health 



Vitamins 


—— 






—— 





Stock 








W-98 Suggested nutrition program for laying period. 




Hy-Line W-98 Non-fast molt nutritional recommendations 














After the Molt-3 diet, when egg production commences, formulate diets according to 

level of desired percentage egg production and egg weight following the nutritional 

recommendations for first-cycle laying hens, albeit with a 20 kcal/kg (9 kcal/lb, 0.08 

MJ/kg) reduction in the dietary energy content. Other noticeable differences in the postmolt 

diets are an increased need for dietary calcium and a decreased need for dietary 

phosphorus, reflected in the tables of post-molt nutritional recommendations shown 

below. 

Hy-Line W-36 post-molt period nutritional recommendations. 


78% egg 

production 


77-75% egg 

production 

Less than 75% 


Calcium, g/day 4.30 4.45 4.60 4.80 

Phosphorus 500 450 400 350

(available), 

mg/day 


contents. 

Peaking 



Calcium, 1 % 5.06 4.78 4.53 4.30 4.10 





Calcium, 1 % 5.24 4.94 4.68 4.45 4.24 





Calcium, 1 % 5.11 4.84 4.60 4.38 4.18 





Calcium, 1 % 5.05 4.80 4.57 4.36 4.17 



1 



2 






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Contents 







Health 



Vitamins 


—— 






—— 





Stock 




Nutrition Recommendations for Hy-Line Gray 


Hy-Line Gray growing period nutritional recommendations. 

Hy-Line Gray laying period nutritional recommendations. 

Hy-Line Gray suggested nutrition program for laying period. 

Hy-Line Gray molt and post-molt nutritional recommendations. 

Download the combined Hy-Line Gray performance and nutrition-recommendations 

tables for easy printing (pdf, 1243 kb). 

Hy-Line Gray Non-fast molt nutritional recommendations 



Hy-Line Gray Post-molt nutritional recommendations 










Hy-Line Gray post-molt period nutritional recommendations. 


90% egg 

production 


89-83% egg 

production 

Less than 83% 


Calcium, g/day 4.45 4.65 4.85 5.05 

Phosphorus 

(available), 

mg/day 

460 415 370 325 


contents. 

Peaking 



Calcium, 1 % 4.94 4.68 4.45 4.24 4.05 





Calcium, 1 % 4.65 4.43 4.23 4.04 3.88 





Calcium, 1 % 4.85 4.62 4.41 4.22 4.04 





Calcium, 1 % 5.05 4.81 4.59 4.39 4.21 



1 



2 







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Vitamins 


—— 






—— 





Stock 




Nutrition Recommendations for Hy-Line Brown 


Hy-Line Brown growing period nutritional recommendations. 

Hy-Line Brown laying period nutritional recommendations. 

Hy-Line Brown suggested nutrition program for laying period. 

Hy-Line Brown molt and post-molt nutritional recommendations. 

Download the combined Hy-Line Brown performance and nutrition-recommendations 


Hy-Line Brown Non-fast molt nutritional recommendations 

See the molting recommendations for Hy-Line's recommendations for inducing a 

molt (includes nutrient recommendations for the molt diet). 

Hy-Line Brown Post-molt nutritional recommendations 

After the Molt diet, when egg production commences, formulate diets according 

to level of desired percentage egg production and egg weight. The post-molt 

diets are formulated similar to that of the last laying hen diet fed, albeit with the 

following modifications: 


5% reduction in amino acid levels (corresponding to about 0.25 percentage 

points less crude protein), 



Hy-Line Brown post-molt period nutritional recommendations. 


89% egg 

production 


88-85% 

egg 

production 

Less than 

85% egg 

production 

Calcium, g/day 4.70 4.90 5.10 5.30 

Phosphorus 

(available), 

mg/day 

440 400 360 320 

Recommended post-molt dietary calcium and available 

phosphorus contents. 

Peaking 



Calcium, 1 % 5.05 4.80 4.56 4.35 4.16 





Calcium, 1 % 4.90 4.67 4.45 4.26 4.08 





Calcium, 1 % 5.10 4.86 4.64 4.43 4.25 





Calcium, 1 % 5.35 5.10 4.86 4.65 4.45 



1 

Approximately 65% of the added calcium carbonate (limestone) should be in 

particle sizes of 2-4 mm. See also the Nutrition and Eggshell Quality section. 

2 

Digestible phosphorus is sometimes preferred over available phoshporus. However, 

there are insufficient data available to make recommendations about a minimum 

dietary content of digestible phosphorus. Instead, use the available-phoshorus 

recommendations and the available-phosphorus contents of feed ingredients. 



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Nutrition Recommendations for Hy-Line Silver 

Brown 


Hy-Line Silver Brown growing period nutritional recommendations. 

Hy-Line Silver Brown laying period nutritional recommendations. 

Hy-Line Silver Brown suggested nutrition program for laying period. 

Hy-Line Silver Brown molt and post-molt nutritional recommendations. 

Download the combined Hy-Line Silver Brown performance and nutritionrecommendations 


Hy-Line Silver Brown Non-fast molt nutritional 

recommendations 

See the molting recommendations for Hy-Line's recommendations for inducing a 

molt (includes nutrient recommendations for the molt diet). 

Hy-Line Silver Brown Post-molt nutritional 


After the Molt diet, when egg production commences, formulate diets according 

to level of desired percentage egg production and egg weight. The post-molt 

diets are formulated similar to that of the last laying hen diet fed, albeit with the 

following modifications: 


5% reduction in amino acid levels (corresponding to about 0.25 percentage 

points less crude protein), 



Hy-Line Silver Brown post-molt period nutritional 

recommendations. 


89% egg 

production 


88-85% 

egg 

production 

Less than 

85% egg 

production 

Calcium, g/day 4.70 4.90 5.10 5.30 

Phosphorus 

(available), 

mg/day 

440 400 360 320 

Recommended post-molt dietary calcium and available 

phosphorus contents.

Peaking 



Calcium, 1 % 5.05 4.80 4.56 4.35 4.16 





Calcium, 1 % 4.90 4.67 4.45 4.26 4.08 





Calcium, 1 % 5.10 4.86 4.64 4.43 4.25 





Calcium, 1 % 5.35 5.10 4.86 4.65 4.45 



1 

Approximately 65% of the added calcium carbonate (limestone) should be in 

particle sizes of 2-4 mm. See also the Nutrition and Eggshell Quality section. 

2 

Digestible phosphorus is sometimes preferred over available phoshporus. However, 

there are insufficient data available to make recommendations about a minimum 

dietary content of digestible phosphorus. Instead, use the available-phoshorus 

recommendations and the available-phosphorus contents of feed ingredients. 



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Health 







Preparing the house for chicks arrival is important to ensure health and growth of the 

chicks. Two weeks prior to arrival, the house should be cleaned and disinfected and a 

rodent-control program should be implemented. Old feed should be removed from feed 

bins and feed troughs. Five days prior to chick arrival, the house should be fumigated. 

Fumigation will help avoid the introduction of diseases, including mycoplasmosis, 

lymphoid leukosis (LL), Marek's disease, infectious bursal disease (IBD; Gumboro 

disease), and salmonellosis. 

Start heating the house and start the brooders 2 days prior to chick arrival to ensure that 

the house and equipment is warmed thoroughly. The 2 days of heating is often 

necessary because the equipment and litter will warm at a slower rate than the air 

(where temperature is measured). The waterlines should be cleaned and disinfected at 

this time. Paper should be placed inside the cages adjacent to the feed trough or, in a 

floor system, on the floor under the feeders. 

On the day before the chicks arrive, ensure that the house or brooders are at the correct 

temperature and that, ideally, the relative humidity is between 40 and 60%. Fill the 

feeders to their highest level with fresh starter feed and adjust the feeder guards so the 

chicks can reach the feed. Adjust the drinkers to the appropriate height (the top of 

drinking cups should be level with the chicks' back, whereas nipple drinkers should be 

level with the chicks' head) and make sure they work properly. Flush the water system to 

remove residual disinfectant and ensure a supply of fresh, clean water. Check the lightcontrol 

timers and make sure the lights are turned on for the appropriate length of time 

and the correct light intensity (30 lux; see the Lighting Program section). To encourage 

water consumption, water-soluble vitamins and electrolytes can be added to the drinking 

water for the first 2 to 3 days after arrival. 

House Preparation Check List 

Prior to delivery of chicks 

Clean and disinfect cages or floor brooding area and equipment, the building 

interior and attached service areas and equipment. 

Check to make sure equipment is working properly and is adjusted to the 

right height. 

Remove all old feed from bins, hoppers, and troughs. Disinfect and allow to 

dry before new feed is delivered. 

Place rodenticide where it will not be consumed by the chicks. 

One day before delivery 

Set heating system at correct temperatures (see recommended brooding 

temperatures). 

Check water system and adjust to proper height for chicks. 

Disinfect and flush water lines. 

On delivery day 

Have waterers full or water system in operation. 

Check brooder temperatures.

As chicks are placed, trigger water cups or nipples to encourage drinking. 

When nipple drinkers are used, reduce the water pressure so birds can see 

the drop of water hanging on the drinker. 

Feed should be placed on paper in cage. 

Operate feeders at highest feed level. 

Keep light at high intensity 20 to 22 hours per day for the first week (see 

lighting programs). 



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Hy-Line commercial and parent-stock chicks adapt equally well to floor and cagebrooding 

systems. The chicks require no special hatchery services except vaccination 

against Marek's disease. Nevertheless, a laying-hen flock has a major part of its potential 

performance determined during the first 17 to 20 weeks of its lifetime. Therefore, special 

attention should be paid to the growing period to assure that the hens reach the laying 

house ready to deliver her bred-in performance potential. Mistakes made in grow are 

very difficult, if not impossible, to correct in the laying house. 

See also information for 

Temperature and relative humidity 

Ventilation 

Pullet Management Check List 

Grow pullets in strict isolation from older birds. Maintain good sanitation. Plan work 

routines so that disease-causing agents cannot be carried from older birds to the 

growing pullets. 

During the first 6 weeks, operate feeders to provide feed at least twice daily. Starting 

at 2 to 3 weeks of age, check feed consumption and body weights against the body 

weight standards for the specific Hy-Line variety. 

Weigh at least 100 pullets weekly during the growing period, beginning at 2 to 3 

weeks of age. 

Check water availability in each cage row daily. Check for and repair leaks. Raise 

waterers as the birds grow (nipples higher than the birds' heads; cups or troughs 

level with their backs). 

Plan and follow a vaccination schedule to fit the location. A local veterinarian or a 

Hy-Line representative can be of assistance in making recommendations. Remove 

mortality daily and dispose of properly. Examine for causes of excessive mortality. 

Three days before moving pullets to the laying house, begin using water-soluble 

vitamins and electrolytes in the drinking water. Continue for 3 days after housing. 

This helps minimize the stress of moving. Handle birds gently during transfer to 

avoid injuries. 

Pullets should be housed at 17 weeks of age, before the onset of sexual maturity. 



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It is important to socialize the birds raised on the floor and in cages to humans by 

walking through the house daily. It is recommended that the birds be walked 4 times per 

day with a 2-hour interval between walkings. This would give the birds time to relax and 

settle between walkings. Brighten the house and walk briskly through the house to 

improve the process of socialization. 

For breeders, males and females should be grown together to allow socialization and to 

avoid mating problems as adults. When males are grown separately from females, the 

males should be intermingled with pullets from 3 weeks of age. Where males are weaker 

than females at hatch, house males separately until week 3 of age. If males continue to 

be weaker than females after 3 weeks of age, intermingle males with females at a 1:1 

ratio through the growing period. 



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Cage Growing 

Chicks started in cages should be placed in the upper levels (decks), where the air is 

warmer and the light brighter. The chicks can be distributed among all cage levels at 

around 14 days of age when the space has become too restricted in the upper levels. 

Intermingle seemingly weak and strong chicks (from different transport boxes) to allow 

the stronger chicks to 'train' the weaker chicks to find water and feed. The starter feed 

should be placed inside the cage on the cage paper after the chicks have had a chance 

to drink. Continue feeding on the paper for the first 7 to 10 days after arrival. 

Place paper on the cage floor during the brooding period. This will allow supplemental 

feeding on the cage paper to quickly get chicks eating. Place feed on the cage paper in 

front of the permanent feeder to train chicks to move towards the feeders. Remove the 

paper by 14 days of age to avoid build up of feces that could lead to infectious bursal 

disease or coccidia infections. Waterlines should be flushed prior to arrival of the chicks. 

Drinking water temperature should be 25 to 30°C (77 to 86°F) for the first week. 

Adjusting water system pressure in nipple drinkers to create a hanging drop will help 

chicks find water. Cup drinkers should be manually filled during the first 3 days to train 

chicks to drink. 

Recommended cage space in growing period 

Item All Hy-Line Varieties 

Cage floor 

Feeder 

Drinking system, trough waterer 

310 cm 2 /bird 

(48 in 2 /bird) 

5 cm/bird 

(2 in/bird) 

2.5 cm/bird 

(1 in/bird) 

Drinking system, cups or nipples 1 per 8 birds 

Breeders can be raised and produced in specifically designed breeder cages with 

success. To avoid leg problems, the rearing cage should be constructed with wire that is 

at least 2 mm (0.08 in) in diameter with spacing between wires to provide a maximum 

cell size of 18 mm × 18 mm (0.71 in × 0.71 in). The floor of the cages should not be 

slippery or sloped. The height of the cage should be a minimum of 40 cm (15.75 in). If 

too low, the roosters can experience problems with legs and pressure sores on the keel 

bone. Growing breeders in cages and then transferring them to a floor production 

system is not advisable. Breeders handled in this way can experience behavior problems 

(e.g., displaced pecking behavior) as adults. Therefore, it is essential to grow the birds 

on the floor when they will be housed in floor systems for the laying period. See also the 

Cage Systems Management for Parent Stock section for recommendations for breeders 

in lay. 

Recommended cage space for breeders in growing period 1

Item 

Cage floor 

Feeder 

Drinking 

system 

Hy-Line W-36, W-98, or Gray 

breeders 

300-350 cm 2 /bird 

(47-54 in 2 /bird) 

7-8 cm/bird 

(2.8-3.1 in/bird) 

Hy-Line Brown or Silver Brown 

breeders 

380-400 cm 2 /bird 

(59-62 in 2 /bird) 

8-9 cm/bird 

(3.1-3.5 in/bird) 

1 per 8-10 birds 1 per 8-10 birds 

1 See the Cage Systems Management for Parent Stock section for cage-space recommendations in lay. 



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Floor Growing 

It is essential to grow the birds on the floor when they will be housed in floor systems for 

the laying period. Ensure that the feed and water systems in the growing and laying 

facilities are compatible. Ideally, the growing house should have elevated bird walkways 

with feed and water stations. Flocks housed in all-slat houses during lay should also be 

grown on slat or wire floors. 

Chicks started on the floor should be transferred from the transport boxes to the litter 

under the water lines or near drinkers to encourage drinking. To make it easier for the 

chicks to drink, use supplemental drinkers in addition to the automatic drinkers. The 

supplemental drinkers should be used for the first 10 to 14 days and can also be used 

for administering the first vaccination if given in the water. When used, gradually move 

supplemental feeders and drinkers towards the permanent feeders and drinkers in the 

room to train the chicks to find the permanent feeders and waterers. 

Birds should be grown in housing that allows adjustment to the lighting program and the 

light intensity. The lighting programs are usually similar to those used for birds in cage 

production, but light intensity may be different. It is important to provide floor-grown birds 

with enough light intensity to allow them to navigate their environment. A light intensity 

of 20 to 30 lux (2 to 3 foot-candles) should be used during the first week of age, 

dropping down to 15 lux (1.5 foot-candles) by week 4 and remaining at the level until 

week 15 of age. At week 15 of age, gradually increase the light intensity, reaching 20 to 

30 lux (2 to 3 foot-candles) by the time the pullets are transferred to the layer house. 

Birds moving into open-sided housing should have higher light intensities of 30 to 40 lux 

(3 to 4 foot-candles) at the time of housing. 

Recommended floor space in growing period 1 

Item All Hy-Line Varieties 

Floor 

Feeder 

Drinking system, trough waterer 


(0.9 ft 2 /bird) 

5 cm/bird and 1 pan per 50 birds 

(2 in/bird and 1 pan per 50 birds) 

2.0 cm/bird 

(0.8 in/bird) 

Drinking system, cups or nipples 1 per 15 birds 

Drinking system, fountains 1 per 150 birds 

1 See the Floor-systems section for floor-space recommendations in lay. 

Recommended floor space for breeders in growing and laying periods 

Hy-Line W-36, W-98, or Gray Hy-Line Brown or Silver Brown

Age 

0-8 

weeks 

8-17 

weeks 

17+ 

weeks 

breeders breeders 


(0.75 ft 2 /bird) 

1000 cm 2 /bird 

(1.10 ft 2 /bird) 

1200 cm 2 /bird 

(1.30 ft 2 /bird) 





(0.75 ft 2 /bird) 

1150 cm 2 /bird 

(1.25 ft 2 /bird) 

1625 cm 2 /bird 

(1.75 ft 2 /bird)

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Floor Systems Management 

The Hy-Line laying hens can be used successfully in floor systems due to their good 

livability and nest behavior when the birds have been appropriately socialized. It is 

important to provide the birds with the best possible floor environment to achieve the 

performance potential of the Hy-Line laying hen. It is essential to grow the birds on the 

floor when they will be housed in floor systems for the laying period. 

Ensure that the feed and water systems in the growing and layer facilities are 

compatible. Check the lighting program and intensity and synchronize with the growing 

house. The Hy-Line laying hen will need bright light of at least 20 lux (2.0 foot-candles), 

and it is important not to have any shadows in the house. Dark areas outside the nests 

will encourage floor eggs. Upon arrival, allow the pullets access to nests during the day 

they arrive. Place the pullets on the slats at housing. Walk the birds several times daily, 

particular in the morning, to ensure the birds are finding feed and water. Pay special 

attention to nest training and make sure the house it equipped with perches. 

The litter area in layer houses should not be more than 60 cm (24 in) below the slat area. 

Position lights to eliminate shadows on the litter below the slat area. Position lights to 

provide the brightest light intensity over the litter or resting areas and the lowest light 

intensity at the front of the nest boxes. Flocks housed in all-slat houses should also be 

grown on slat or wire floors. 

Recommended floor densities 1 

Item 

Floor 

space 

Feeder 

access 

Water 

access 

Nest 

All litter 

All slat 

Litter-slat combination 

Straight trough 

Hy-Line W-36, 

W-98, or Gray 

10 birds/m 2 /bird 

(1.1 ft 2 /bird) 


(0.9 ft 2 /bird) 


(1.0 ft 2 /bird) 

8 cm/bird 

(3.0 in/bird) 

Hy-Line Brown or 

Silver Brown 


(1.3 ft 2 /bird) 


(1.1 ft 2 /bird) 


(1.2 ft 2 /bird) 

9 cm/bird 

(3.5 in/bird) 

Round pans 1 pan per 40 birds 1 pan per 30 birds 

Nipples or cups 1 per 10 birds 1 per 10 birds 

Water trough 

Circular automatic water fountain, 

46-cm (18-in) diameter 

Colony nest, single tier, 1.1-1.4 m 

(3.5-4.5 ft) width 

2.5 cm/bird 

(1 in/bird) 

2.5 cm/bird 

(1 in/bird) 

1 per 125 birds 1 per 125 birds 

160 birds/nest 

(80 birds/side) 

150 birds/nest 

(75 birds/side)

space 

Individual nest 8 birds/nest 8 birds/nest 

1 See the Floor-growing section for floor-space recommendations in grow and for breeders in grow and lay. 



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Monitoring Body Weights in Grow 

The body weight and body weight uniformity is the best indicator of how well the pullet 

flock is performing. In the past, shank length was used as an indicator of pullet-flock 

performance, but it is difficult to influence shank length without also influencing body 

weight. As a result, monitoring the pullets' body weight on a regular basis throughout 

growth is recommended. 

The pullets' rate of body weight gain can be controlled, in part, by the lighting program. 

Moreover, the rate of body weight gain is influenced by nutrition, the number and timing 

of beak treatments, the vaccination program, and the overall health status of the pullets. 

Birds grown on the floor will expend more energy and will often be as much as 50 g (0.1 

lb) lower in body weight at 12 weeks of age than cage-grown birds. To offset any 

decrease in egg size caused by low body weights, it is common to delay light stimulation 

until the pullets reach the breed's stimulation body weight (usually the 18-week target 

weight). 

Body weights should be monitored weekly during the growing period and at least until 

after peak. A minimum of 100 birds should be weighed individually with a scale having 

increments no larger than 50 g or 1/10 lb. Weighing should be started at 2 to 3 weeks of 

age and continued every week. It is most critical to weigh just prior to a scheduled feed 

change. If the flock is below target body weight, it should be left on the higher-nutrient 

feed formulation until the target weight for age is reached (see the Feeding the Pullet 

section). 

If the 18-week target weight cannot be reached, then attempt to increase body weight 

uniformity to better manage the flock in lay. 

Follow the links below to see the pullet body weight standards 

Commercial pullets 






Parent-stock pullets 

Hy-Line W-36 parents 

Hy-Line W-98 parents 

Hy-Line Gray parents 

Hy-Line Brown parents 

Hy-Line Silver Brown parents 

Grandparent pullets 

Hy-Line Grandparents 

This page was last updated May 20, 2010

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In addition to body weight averages, the uniformity of body weights within the flock is an 

indicator of normal flock development. Uniformity is expressed as the percent of 

individual weights which occur within 10% of the current flock average. The goal at point 

of lay is minimum 80% uniformity, although uniformities of 90% are often seen. Flocks 

lacking uniformity at point of lay often exhibit lower and later peaks than expected and 

are more difficult to design diets for (because there is a mixture of light and heavy birds 

in the flock). In grow, flocks of low uniformity can be segregated into similar weight 

groups to reduce feed competition between large, medium, and small birds. These 

groups should be managemed differently to allow the small group to gain weight faster. 

Distribution of body weights. At 18 weeks of age, at least 80% of the birds should be within ±10% of the 

average body weight. 

Factors, which can adversely affect the uniformity are 

crowding, 

disease, 

vaccination program, 

poor beak trimming, 

lack of perches (or inadequate perch space), and 

inadequate nutrient and energy intakes. 

In other words, ensure that flocks have adequate feed, light, air (quality), and water (i.e., the 

acronym 'FLAW') at all times. See also the section on monitoring body weight. 

Calculating body weight uniformity

Weigh at least 100 female birds individually. Be sure the weighed birds represent an 

average of the birds in the house. 

Cages 

Weigh all birds individually in each selected cage. 

Select cages evenly spread in the house, and select a combination of cages 

from top, middle, and lower tiers, and from both ends of the house as well as 

the middle. 

Weigh all the birds in the same cages every time body weight uniformity is 

determined. 

Floor 

Select birds from all locations in the house. 

Example of uniformity calculation 

Number of birds weighed = 105 

Average (mean) body weight = 1.320 kg 

10% of the average body weight = 10% × 1.320 kg = 0.1320 kg 

Upper body weight range = 1.320 kg + 0.1320 kg = 1.452 kg 

Lower body weight range = 1.320 kg - 0.1320 kg = 1.188 kg 

Count the number of weighed birds with a body weight 

between the upper and lower body weight range = 88 

Body weight uniformity = (88 birds in weight range / 105 birds weighed) × 

100 = 84% 

Use the spreadsheet shown below to calculate the body weight mean (i.e., average), 

percent uniformity, and coefficient of variation (CV). Weigh the birds as per the 

instructions above and enter the body weights in the high-lighted yellow fields (starting in 

cell B5). Leave cells blank if there is no data—do not enter a zero (0). 

Screenshot of spreadsheet used to calculate body weight uniformity. 


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Beak Trimming 

Beak trimming is not necessary in all management systems. However, if beak treatment 

is performed, proper procedures should be followed. 

The pullets are most successfully beak trimmed at hatch by infrared beak treatment, or 

between 7 and 10 days of age by using a precision cam-activated beak trimmer. A 

second beak trim is not always necessary in commercial birds, but a re-trim is 

recommended in parent stock at 12 to 14 weeks of age. 

Infrared beak treatment at hatch as shown at 4 days of age (left) 

The result of an appropriate beak trim as it appears at 18 weeks of age (right). 

The precision cam-activated beak trimmer should be equipped with a guide plate with 

holes of 4.00, 4.37, and 4.75 mm (10/64, 11/64, and 12/64 in). The proper size hole 

should be selected to provide a width of 2 mm between the nostrils and the cauterizing 

ring. The proper size hole will depend both on size and age of the chicks. The 

temperature of the beak-trimming blade should be approximately 595°C (1100°F) and 

should be checked with a pyrometer. A variation of 38°C (100°F) is common due to 

external influences and cannot be detected by the human eye, but will negatively affect 

the beak treatment. Therefore, using a line-voltage meter according to the 

manufacturer's instructions will facilitate maintaining the proper blade temperature at all 

times. 

Beak-trim recommendations 

Guide plate holes for precision beak trim. 

The following precautions and recommendations must be observed: 

Do not beak-trim sick birds.

Do not hurry. 

Use only well-trained crews for beak trimming. Use electrolytes and vitamins 

(containing vitamin K) in the water 2 days before and 2 days after beak trimming. 

Use 360°-access nipple drinkers. 

Keep feed at the highest level for several days after beak trimming. 

If a coccidiostat is used in the feed, supplement it with water-soluble coccidiostats 

until feed consumption returns to normal. 

If a second beak trimming is performed, the starter feed can be re-introduced for 1 

to 3 weeks afterwards to account for the lower feed intake and ensure body weight 

gains. 



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Moving from Grower House to Layer House 

It is essential to move the pullets to the lay house well in advance of the first eggs being 

laid to ensure no eggs are laid in the grow facilities and, if a cage-free system is used, to 

ensure that the females are well trained to use the nest (see the nest-training section). 

The flock can be moved into the laying facility at 16 to 17 weeks of age or after 

administration of the last live vaccinations. 

For breeders, Hy-Line Brown, Gray, and W-36 males may be moved a few days earlier 

to the laying house to give them more time to acclimate to their new environment before 

the arrival of the females. This is not recommended for the Hy-Line W-98 and Silver 

Brown males, however. 



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Nest Training 

Confine the pullets to the slats (where the water and feeder lines are) at housing and 

allow the pullets access to the nests during the day when they arrive. Walk the birds 

several times daily, particularly in the morning, to ensure the birds are finding feed and 

water. To reduce stress and ensure a trouble-free transfer, water-soluble vitamins, 

probiotics, and vitamin C (ascorbic acid) can be added to the drinking water 3 days 

before and 3 days after the transfer. 

Open a few of the nest box curtains to encourage nest exploration in young laying flocks. 

Nest lights can be used to train birds to explore the nests and should be turned on for 2 

hours per day, starting 1 hour before the house lights are turned on and remain on for 1 

hour after the house lights have been turned on. This will help prevent overcrowding and 

smothering inside the nests. False walls that are 1-2 m (3-6 ft) in length every 12 m (39 

ft) along the line of and perpendicular to the nest boxes will reduce nest overcrowding. 

Train the pullets to use the nests by frequent walks through the house in the mornings 

for the first 8 weeks after the birds are placed in the laying house. Use of electric 

deterrent wires on the slats around the house perimeter will help discourage egg laying 

in corners or near the walls. Electric deterrent wires must be turned on as soon as the 

birds are housed. Place the electric deterrent wires 5 cm (2 in) away from the wall or the 

house and about 10 cm (4 in) above the floor. Avoid using an electric wire over water 

and feed lines as this practice increases nervousness among the birds. Instead, the use 

of solid perches above water and feed lines is preferred. 

It is important not to have shadows in the lay house, as dark areas outside the nest will 

encourage floor eggs. Therefore, position lights to eliminate shadows on the litter below 

the slat area. The lights should be positioned to provide the brightest light intensity over 

the litter or resting areas and the lowest light intensity at the front of the nest boxes. 

In the case of breeders, the breeding pens should be walked frequently (e.g., every 2 

hours) in the afternoon while mating is occurring. This will prevent males from corralling 

hens when the birds come into production. 



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Nest Training 

Molting 



Ventilation 



Health 






Ambient Temperature and Relative Humidity 

Observing the chicks will tell you whether or not the temperature is correct. If they are too 

cool, they will huddle near the heat source. If they are too warm, they will spread out 

away from the heat source. If there are drafts, they will huddle in groups to get away 

from the spot where the cool air enters the heated area. Comfortable chicks will spread 

out uniformly, without huddling, throughout the brooding area. 

Look for signs of overheating (panting and drowsiness) or chilling (huddling and loud 

chirping) and make appropriate adjustments. Heat control is more critical in cage 

brooding because the chicks cannot move to find their comfort zone. 

Birds are very sensitive to extremes of relative humidity. A relative humidity below 30% 

will cause increased agitation of the chicks and may cause aggressive behavior. 

Conversely, excessive moisture may cause wet litter conditions, associated with high 

ammonia concentrations, poor air quality, enteric diseases, and respiratory problems. 

Ideally, the relative humidity should be between 40 and 60%. Humidity control becomes 

increasingly important when warm-room brooding in cold climates. To increase the 

relative humidity, water can be sprayed on the walk ways or floors. Humidity will normally 

be lowered to 30 to 40% by the end of the growing period. 

See also the Ventilation section. 

Recommended brooding temperatures 1 

Age Hy-Line W-36, W-98, or Gray Hy-Line Brown or Silver Brown 

1-3 

4-7 

8-14 

15-21 

22-28 

29-35 

36+ 

Cage Floor Cage Floor 

32-33°C 

(90-92°F) 

30-32°C 

(86-90°F) 

28-30°C 

(82-86°F) 

26-28°C 

(78-82°F) 

23-26°C 

(74-78°F) 

21-23°C 

(70-74°F) 

21°C 

(70°F) 

33-35°C 

(92-95°F) 

31-33°C 

(88-92°F) 

29-31°C 

(84-88°F) 

27-29°C 

(80-84°F) 

24-27°C 

(76-80°F) 

22-24°C 

(72-76°F) 

21°C 

(70°F) 

33-36°C 

(93-97°F) 

30-32°C 

(86-90°F) 

28-30°C 

(78-82°F) 

26-28°C 

(78-82°F) 

23-26°C 

(74-78°F) 

21-23°C 

(70-74°F) 

21°C 

(70°F) 

1 Modify the temperatures as needed to meet the chicks' comfort needs. 

35-36°C 

(95-97°F) 

33-35°C 

(92-95°F) 

31-33°C 

(89-91°F) 

29-31°C 

(84-87°F) 

26-27°C 

(79-81°F) 

23-25°C 

(74-77°F) 

21°C 

(70°F)

Recommended brooding temperatures for breeders 1,2 

Location 

At edge of 

hover 

In cage or 

room 

Hy-Line W-36,3 W-98, or Gray 

breeders 

32°C 

(90°F) 

32-33°C 

(90-91°F) 

1 Reduce temperatures by 2-3°C (4-5°F) per week to 21°C (70°F). 

2 Modify the temperatures as needed to meet the chicks' comfort needs. 

Hy-Line Brown or Silver Brown 

breeders 

35°C 

(95°F) 

33-35°C 

(91-95°F) 

3 The temperature should be 1-2°C (2-4°F) higher for W-36 parent-stock males due to their smaller body 

weight. 



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Contents 











Chicks 


Health 






Cage Systems Management for Parent Stock 

Hy-Line breeders can be raised and produced in breeder cages with success. Cage 

systems have been specifically designed for use with breeders, and these should be 

used. Advantages of keeping breeders in cages are 

cleaner hatching eggs, 

better control of enteric diseases (e.g., coccidiosis, infectious bursal disease, internal 

parasites, salmonellosis), 

more settable eggs, 

better feed efficiency, 

more efficient use of the breeder house space, and 

lower labor costs. 

The main disadvantages are lower fertility and higher capital investments in facilities. 

Growing period 

The principles for raising breeder pullets in cages are similar to those of commercial 

pullets. To avoid leg problems, the growing cage should be constructed with wire at 

least 2 mm (0.08 in) in diameter with spacing between wires to provide a maximum cell 

size of 18 × 18 mm (0.71 × 0.71 in). The floor in the cages should not be slippery or 

sloped. The height of the cage should be a minimum of 40 cm (15.7 in). If too low, the 

roosters can experience problems with legs and pressure sores on the keel bone. The 

cages should be equipped with perches to facilitate leg development. 

Males and females should be grown together to allow socialization. This can help avoid 

mating problems that can occur as adults. Ideally, the males and females should be comingled 

by 4 weeks of age. 

Growing breeders in cages and then transferring them to a floor production system is not 

advisable. Breeders handled in this way can experience behavior problems (e.g., 

displaced pecking behavior) as adults. 

The Hy-Line W-36 male can be smaller and less developed than the female. Special 

supportive care of the males include 

higher brooding temperatures, 

reduced bird densities, 

vitamin and electrolytes in the drinking water, and 

enriched feed. 

Laying period 

Moving 

The flock can be moved into the laying facility at 15 to 16 weeks of age or after 

administration of the last live vaccinations. Hy-Line W-36 and Hy-Line Brown males may 

be moved a few days earlier to the laying house to give them more time to acclimate to 

their new environment before arrival of the females. This is not recommended for the Hy-

Line W-98 and Hy-Line Silver Brown males, however. It is important that growing and 

production breeder cages be compatible in feeder, drinker, and lighting systems. 

Supportive care to reduce stress—such as water-soluble vitamins, probiotics, and 

vitamin C (ascorbic acid)—should be used 3 days before and 3 days after the transfer. 

Flocks transferred early should be moved into the laying house with the same light hours 

and light intensity as those used in the growing house. 

Selection 

During the transfer of males, a selection for the best individuals should be made. All 

roosters entering the laying house should be in good body condition, well-feathered, with 

good feet and legs, and free of physical defects. Keep extra males in reserve cages to 

use later. Any sex slips should be removed at transfer. 

Cages 

A breeder cage designed for colony sizes of greater than 100 birds will usually have 

better fertility than those with smaller colony size. Smaller breeder cages with only 1 or 2 

roosters are subject to accelerated fertility loss as the flock ages. 

Breeder laying cages should provide 700 cm 2 (109 in 2 ) of floor space per bird. The 

height of the laying cage must be at least 60 cm (23.6 in) to avoid the roosters from 

hitting their heads on top of the cage. Roosters striking their heads on top of the cage 

will be reluctant to mate. Roosters in cage system can be dubbed to avoid being caught 

in cage wires. The cages should be equipped with perches. 

Mating ratios 

Male to female ratio depend on the type of breeder cage and the size of the cage 

colony, but as a rule they should follow those ratios used on the floor. 

Lighting program 

The same lighting program used for floor breeders should be used in caged breeder 

flocks. 



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Contents 









Chicks 


Health 








Mating Ratios for Parent Stock 

The number of males and females in any breeding flock is important. If there are too few 

males, overall fertility may suffer. Likewise, if there are too many males, they may fight 

and fertility may also suffer. The viability of the males may vary from flock to flock, and 

the exact number of males must be left to the judgment of the production manager. 

Recommended mating ratios at housing 1 

Hy-Line parent stock Females Males 

W-36 100 11 

W-98 100 7 

Brown 100 8 

Silver Brown 100 7 

1 Excess males should not be immediately discarded. 



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Contents 











Chicks 


Health 







Managing a hatchery effectively requires a lot of effort by the hatchery manager and the 

staff. In order to attain the highest level of chick quality, it is important to understand and 

adhere to some basic principles of hatchery management. Following are a list of basic 

principles that when followed can make life easier and more productive for the manager 

and staff within the hatchery. Please also refer to hatching egg care . 

Biosecurity and hygiene 

Biosecurity is of paramount importance to any poultry operation, especially breeding 

farms and hatcheries. The following suggestions should be implemented at any hatchery, 

especially hatcheries dealing with breeder chicks. 

All equipment entering the hatchery must be cleaned and disinfected (or fumigated). 

Staff and visitors must shower and change into clean clothing that is provided by the 

hatchery. 

Incoming air should be filtered, and the ventilation should create a positive pressure 

environment with single direction flows. 

Egg handling, identification, and storage 

Egg handling and storage both have a direct impact on profitability as good handling and 

storage procedures will help increase hatchability. 

Eggs need to be collected regularly from the breeder farms. 

Even if eggs are collected daily from farms, it is important that they are kept in an 

appropriate environment to avoid decrease in hatchability. 

Eggs must be collected in dedicated, clean, trucks with capability to keep eggs in an 

appropriate environment. Measures to avoid egg damage should be a priority. 

Eggs should be clean and be sanitized as soon as possible after collection from the 

nest box area. 

Eggs arriving in the hatchery must be clearly marked so as to prevent incorrect 

settings. Each trolley or pallet must have the flock of origin and date of lay clearly 

marked. 

Incubation 

Setters 

The following rules should be followed whether single- or multi-stage setters are used. 

Always set eggs in rotation, avoid excessive egg age. 

Try to set eggs of similar age flocks together. 

Set eggs earlier from young or old flocks. 

Pre-warm eggs to 25°C (77°F) for 8 to 12 hours prior to setting. 

Ideally, eggs should be set between 3 and 7 days after they were laid. 

Increase incubation time by 1 hour for each day of storage beyond 10 days. 

Setters should be washed and disinfected after each use. While this is easy for

Hatchers 

single-stage, procedures must be adopted in multi-stage machines to ensure regular 

cleaning and disinfection. 

Hatchers should be pre-warmed prior to the eggs being transferred from the setters. 

Formalin or an alternative disinfecting fogging agent should be placed in the hatcher 

just prior to piping. 

It is important that dirty air cannot cycle through the hatchers. Care must be taken to 

ensure that exhausted (dirty) air is not drawn back into the hatchery. 

Hatchers should be closely monitored, although modern hatchers can be 

programmed to adjust the internal climate to optimize the hatch, there is no 

substitute for human monitoring during the hatch process. Necessary adjustments 

should be made as the hatch window approaches and during the hatch process to 

maximize the quantity and quality of the chicks. 

Cleaning and disinfection following removal of the chicks is vital for maintaining 

future chick quality. 

Cleaning and disinfection 

Cleaning and disinfection are a vital aspect of any hatchery. A clean, sanitary hatchery 

will decrease spread of disease between hatches and help ensure a higher level of chick 

quality. 

Written procedures and internal monitoring system should be adopted. 

Regular hygiene audits should be carried out to ensure that correct cleaning and 

disinfection is taking place. 

Audits of incoming eggs should also take place to monitor the breeder farms. These 

checks should cover both physical egg quality and bacterial load. 

The use of an external auditor is recommended, these audits should be carried out 

at regular intervals. 

It is important that all working in the chick production process, including the breeder 

farm manager are kept fully informed as to the status of performance and hygiene 

levels within the hatchery and act quickly on any findings and recommendations. 

Chick processing and vaccination 

Chick processing and vaccination is when the hatchery is able to perform quality control 

and help set the chick up for a healthy, productive life. 

Chicks should be sexed as soon as possible after beening removed from the 

hatchers. 

Correct vaccine preparation is required. Care should be taken to follow the vaccine 

supplier's recommendations. 

Vaccine should be prepared as required and used promptly. Strict sanitation 

procedures should be in place to ensure no contamination of vaccines or diluents. 

Record keeping 

Accurate records are an important tool for all hatcheries, as this will give supply farms, 

hatchery management, and customers confidence in the traceability of the chicks. 

Records should be maintained from the time eggs are collected on the farm to the 

time chicks reach their final destination.

Routine breakouts should be carried out to monitor hatchery performance. 

Communication of hatch results to the breeder farm is important so the breeder farm 

can investigate changes in hatchability or fertility. 

The performance of individual incubators should be monitored and any variations 

investigated. 

Individual flock records should be kept and any deviation from normal results should 

be investigated. 

Maintenance and servicing of equipment 

Regular maintenance of all equipment is crucial for continuity of operation and for 

obtaining the best product possible. All mechanical items used within the hatchery should 

have a program of regular maintenance. The documentation of maintenance helps in the 

identification of trends and issues with individual pieces of equipment. The constant 

calibration and monitoring of all setters and hatchers is extra important as small changes 

in temperature can affect the quality of the chick. 

This page was last updated February 1, 2010 

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Contents 











Chicks 


Health 







Chick weight at hatch is directly related to the weight of the hatching egg. Flock sizes are 

becoming so large that it is difficult to supply the number of chicks requested in a single 

hatch or from a single parent source. Uniformity of commercial pullets is extremely 

important in attaining future production goals. To assist in attaining uniformity, it is 

suggested that eggs be set according to parent source flock and this grouping be 

maintained until chicks are placed in the brooder house. Research indicates that 

grouping hatching eggs in 4-g increments—and maintaining chicks hatched from each 

group separately—significantly reduces the size variability of chicks at 4 weeks of age. 

Hatching eggs should be gathered a minimum of twice daily or more during extremely 

hot weather. Eggs should be stored at 18.3°C (65°F) with a relative humidity between 70 

and 80%. Hatching eggs should be sanitized using products specifically developed for 

this purpose. 

Hatching eggs should not be kept longer than 10 days from the day they were laid. Best 

hatches will result when eggs from 3 to 7 days of age are used. When it is necessary to 

save eggs longer than 10 days, a temperature of 13°C (55°F) with a relative humidity 

between 70 and 80% is recommended. Temperatures below this will result in an 

unsatisfactory hatch. 

Hy-Line W-36 hatching eggs should come from a flock that is at least 25 weeks of age 

and weigh a minimum of 49 g per egg. Hy-Line W-98 hatching eggs should come from a 

flock that is 24 weeks of age or older and weigh a minimum of 49 g per egg. Hy-Line 

Brown and Silver Brown hatching eggs should come from a flock that is at least 24 

weeks of age and weigh a minimum of 49 g per egg. Smaller eggs from younger flocks 

can be used, although it should be realized that chicks size and early livability will not be 

optimum. 

It is extremely important that once eggs are cooled, they be maintained at a temperature 

that does not allow them to 'sweat' (i.e., gather moisture from being exposed to warm, 

humid air). The truck transporting the eggs from a cooler at the farm to the hatchery 

should be capable of keeping the eggs cool enough to avoid sweating. 

Incubation and hatching 

Pre-warming of all Hy-Line hatching eggs is recommended to achieve maximum yield 

and uniformity of hatch time. This is accomplished by removing the eggs from the cooler 

8 to 12 hours prior to setting, and storing at a temperature of 24.1°C (75°F) during this 

time. Provide adequate air movement in the pre-warming area to reduce sweating and 

provide uniform temperature to all eggs. 

Under normal conditions, the Hy-Line W-36 eggs will achieve optimum hatch in 21 days 

and 6 hours. The Hy-Line W-98, Brown, and Silver Brown may require 21 days and 8 

hours. Age of eggs will influence hatch times. Allow 1 additional hour of incubation for 

every day beyond 10 days of egg age.

Contents 











Chicks 


Health 






Identification of Hy-Line Commercial Chicks 

Each Hy-Line chick must be individually examined at hatch to identify its gender before 

shipping to customers or housing. There are 3 methods to determine the sex of a newly 

hatched Hy-Line chick: 

vent sexing, 

color sexing, and 

feather sexing. 

Vent sexing is difficult and should be performed by trained professionals. In contrast, color 

and feather sexing is relatively easy. Vent sexing can be used to check questionable color 

or feather sexing, however. 

Color sexing 

Color sexing of Hy-Line Brown can be conducted when the chicks are taken from the 

hatchery before other processing is started. The sex is determined on the basis of down 

color. The males are generally pure white (Figure 1), although, occasionally, they may 

show some red over the head and neck. 

Figure 1. One-day-old Hy-Line Brown males. 

The Hy-Line Brown females are a buffy-red color (Figure 2). In perhaps 1% of the 

chicks, some confusion may occur wherein females will show nearly white heads. 

However, they will have the buffy-red color on the back, and still be recognizable from 

the males.

Figure 2. One-day-old Hy-Line Brown females. 

Occasionally, a male may show some red on the head, but this will occur as a round 

spot. In contrast, females showing red on the head will have the color concentrated 

around the base of the beak and around the eyes (Figure 3). 

Feather sexing 

Figure 3. One-day-old Hy-Line Brown males (left) 

and females (right) showing coloration differences on the head (see text). 

Hy-Line W-36, W-98, and Silver Brown commercial chicks are sexable by means of the 

wing feathers (Figure 4). 

Figure 4. The tip of the wing is used for feather sexing (left wing, top side shown). 

Male chicks show slow feathering (Figure 5, left), where the primary and covert feathers 

are of similar length, and the coverts and primaries are of similar thickness. The female

commercial chicks show fast feathering (Figure 5, right), where the coverts are shorter 

than the primaries, and the coverts are thin and the primaries thick. 

Figure 4. Slow feathering = male chicks (left). Fast feathering = female chick (right). 

Left wing, top side shown. See text for description of sight and feel of the primaries and coverts. 

In a small percentage of chicks, covert feathers may be longer and thicker than the 

primary feathers (i.e., 'super-slow feathering'). These chicks may be males (Figure 5). 




Figure 5. Super-slow feathering = male chicks.

Contents 









Health 






Basic Rules for Lighting Programs 

Guidelines for growing period 

Start pullets with 20 to 22 hours of continuous and bright (20 to 30 lux, 2 to 3 footcandles) 

light during the first week of age. Alternatively, an intermittent lighting program 

(4 hours of light followed by 2 hours of darkness) can be used during the first week of 

age. The dark period (or periods) serves as 'resting time' and helps strong chicks to 

show the weak chicks how to find feed and water. 

The light intensity should be 30 lux (3 foot-candles) during the first week of age, after 

which it can be reduced to 5 to 10 lux (0.5 to 1.0 foot-candles) in cages or to 15 lux (1.5 

foot-candles) when grown on the floor. The higher light intensity for floor-grown birds will 

allow the birds enough light to navigate their environment. In cages, there should be 10 

lux (1.0 foot-candles) at the feed through and 5 lux (0.5 foot-candles) inside the cage. 

Reduce the day length weekly to reach 9 to 10 hours at 10 weeks of age or, if longer, 

the day length dictated by greatest natural day length in open or brownout houses. In Hy- 

Line Brown and W-98 lines, a constant day length of 9 hours may be used to control 

excessive body weight after 10 weeks of age. 

The light intensity in the grow and lay houses should be similar, because pullets can be 

stimulated to start egg production by an increase in light intensity even if the day length 

is unchanged. Therefore, the light intensity in the grow house should be gradually 

increased in increments of 5 lux (0.5 foot-candles) per week to the intensity used in the 

lay house, starting 2 to 3 weeks before the pullets are moved. 

Guidelines for laying period 

Onset of sexual maturity (egg production) generally depends on 4 requirements: 

a minimum chronological age which is genetically determined (17 weeks), 

a minimum body weight (see tables of 18-week target body weight for individual Hy- 

Line varieties), 

a nutrient and energy consumption to support production, and 

a constant or increasing day length of at least 12 hours. 

Light stimulation should not be provided until flocks reach the optimum body weight (see 

tables of 18-week target body weight for individual Hy-Line varieties). Flocks which are 

light-stimulated into production at lower body weights will likely produce below normal 

egg weight and suffer from reduced peak production and post-peak dips in production. 

Timing of light stimulation can be used as a tool to help attain desired egg size. In 

general, earlier light stimulation will result in a few more eggs per hen, but at a tradeoff 

for slightly reduced egg weight. Later light stimulation will result in a few less total eggs, 

but a slightly larger egg weight earlier in production. In this way, lighting programs can be 

customized to best meet the egg size demand of a particular market. 

Provide light stimulation when the target body weight is reached, usually around 17 to 19

weeks of age. The appropriate target body weight depends in part on the variety of hen 

and in part the desired egg size. Stimulation at a relatively early age or low body weight 

will result in production of a greater number of eggs with a lower average egg size, 

which will negatively impact chick quality. Stimulation at an older age or a heavier body 

weight will produce a few less eggs, but of greater average egg size. 

The initial light increase should be no less than 1 hour (especially in open or brown-out 

houses). Increase the day length by 15 to 30 minutes per week or once every 2 weeks 

until 16 hours of light is reached. Preferably, the period of increasing day length 

stimulation should last until peak production (i.e., until about 30 weeks of age). The light 

intensity at housing should be 15 to 30 lux (1.5 to 3.0 foot-candles) in light-controlled 

houses and 30 to 40 lux (3 to 4 foot-candles) in open-sided houses. 

Allow no decrease in day length or light intensity in adult layers. Such decreases in day 

length will adversely affect egg production. 

Guidelines for housing styles 

It is necessary to first determine what style of houses are being used regarding light 

control for both growing and laying. For the purpose of designing a flock lighting 

program, each house has to be designated either dark-out or open. 

Dark-out means there is essentially no outside light coming in the house that would 

physiologically affect the flock's maturity. In that case, the outside natural daylength 

can be ignored and the ligthing program be planned using only artificial lights. That 

said, it is beneficial to consider and synchronize the time of lights-on and -off with 

the natural sunrise and sunset, respectively, under the constraints of the artificial 

daylength. 

Open house styles mean there are windows, curtains, or even just enough light 

leakage through fans and air vents that allow outside natural daylight to significantly 

illuminate the interior of the house. In many cases, this cannot be avoided, but a 

lighting program with the desired light patterns can still be planned using artificial 

interior lighting added to the natural daylight changes occurring outside. 

Sometimes it is not clear whether a house is sufficiently dark-out or not, and these 

houses are often called brown-out. It is mostly light-controlled, but not totally dark, as 

some light gets in through the ventilation, etc. The question is how to consider the 

house, open or dark-out? 

One method is to measure the light intensity with a light meter. Compare the 

maximum mid-day light intensity with the lights on to the intensity with the 

lights off (measuring just the light leakage from outside). If the light leakage 

is less than 10% of the maximum value, it is probably insignificant in 

stimulating the birds and can be ignored (i.e,. consider the house dark-out). 

However, if it is more than 10% of that maximum value, it probably needs to 

be considered open. 

Another method is just to observe the flock's activity. With the lights off, will 

the flock awaken and become active when the sun rises, just from light 

leaking in from outside? If so, then consider the house as open for this 

purpose. Even with these guidelines, it is still a judgment call whether a 

significant portion of the flock is being affected by outside light. 

Light-controlled growing to light-controlled laying 

Step-down day length from 20 to 22 hours of light the first week of age to 9 to 10 

hours of light at 10 weeks of age and hold constant.

Increase day length 1 hour at the 18-week body weight target. Add 15 to 30 minutes 

per week until 16 hours total light is reached and hold constant. 

Light-controlled growing to open or brownout laying 


9 to 10 hours of light at 10 weeks of age, or 

1 hour less than the natural day length the flock will be exposed to after 

moving to the layer house. 

Increase day length to 

natural day length or 

a minimum increase of 1 hour at the 18-week body weight target. 



at least the longest natural day length of the year. 

Open or brownout growing to light-controlled or brownout laying 


9 to 10 hours of light at 10 weeks of age or, if longer, 

the longest natural day length the flock will be exposed to from 8 to 18 weeks 

of age. 

Increase day length 1 hour at the 18-week body weight target. 



at least the longest natural day length of the year for brownout. 



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Contents 









Health 







An optional lighting technique that will promote greater feed consumption is the 

"midnight feeding." The technique involves turning the lights on for 1 hour in the middle 

of the dark period and running the feeders during this time. 

Midnight-feeding lighting program. The dark periods should be at least 3 hours in duration. The 1 hour of 

light should be removed gradually when no longer needed (see text). 

Midnight feeding will generally increase feed intake about 2 to 5 g/day per bird (0.4 to 

1.1 lb/day per 100 birds). The technique is applicable for heat stress conditions, or any 

time a greater feed intake is desired in either growing or laying flocks. 

For a typical layer lighting program with 16 hours of light and 8 hours dark, the night 

would consist of 3.5 hours of darkness, 1 hour of light, and 3.5 hours of darkness. The 

regular 16 hour light period should not be changed (because the 1-hour midnightfeeding 

period is not long enough to count as "day light"). However, it is important that 

the dark periods sourrounding the 1-hour midnight-feeding period are at least 3 hours 

long. 

The 1 hour of light can be added all at once, but, when no longer necessary, should 

be removed gradually at the rate of 15 minutes per week. 



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Contents 







Health 

Biosecurity 


Diseases 

Vaccination 



Coccidia 









Biosecurity 

Biosecurity is the best method of avoiding disease. A good biosecurity program identifies 

and controls the most likely ways a disease could enter the farm. Human and equipment 

movement onto the farm should be strictly controlled. Visitors to the farm should be 

limited to those who are essential for its operation. All visitors and workers should enter 

at a central location. Visitors should use a logbook to document their visits. Anyone 

having been on another poultry facility within 96 hours should not be permitted access. 

Clean boots, clothing, and head cover should be provided for everyone working or 

visiting the farm. Clean footbaths containing disinfectant should be placed outside the 

entries to all poultry houses. If possible, avoid using outside crews or equipment for 

vaccination, moving, and beak treatment. Ideally, workers should be limited to a single 

house. The number of flocks visited in 1 day should be limited, and always progressing 

from younger to older flocks, and from healthy to sick flocks. After visiting a sick flock, no 

other flocks should be visited. 

The removal of old hens from the farm is a time when disease can be introduced. The 

trucks and crews used to transport old hens have often been on other farms. A plan 

should be developed to minimize the biosecurity risk during times outside crews or 

equipment are needed for vaccination, moving pullets, and beak trimming. 

A single-aged growing farm using the all-in/all-out principle is best. This will prevent the 

transmission of disease from older flocks to younger, susceptible flocks. All houses 

should be designed to prevent exposure of the flock to wild birds. Quickly and properly 

dispose of dead chickens. 

Rodents are known carriers of many poultry diseases and they are the most common 

reason for re-contamination of a cleaned and disinfected poultry facility. They are also 

responsible for house-to-house spread of disease on a farm. The farm should be free of 

debris and tall grass that might provide cover for rodents. The perimeter of the house 

should have a minimum of 1 m (3 ft) area of crushed rock or concrete to prevent rodents 

from burrowing into the houses. Feed and eggs should be stored in rodent-proof areas. 

Bait stations should be placed throughout the house and maintained with fresh 

rodenticide. The bait stations should be checked and re-baited regularly and numbered 

for identification of areas with more rodent activity than others. 

Cleaning and disinfection of the house between flocks serves to reduce the infection 

pressure for a new incoming flock. The house should be cleaned of organic matter by 

high pressure spraying with a warm water containing a detergent and disinfectant. Allow 

time for the detergent to soak. After drying, the house should be disinfected or fumigated 

and allowed to dry again before repopulating with birds. Heating the house during 

washing improves the removal of organic matter. Wash the upper portion of the house 

before the pit. Thoroughly clean the air inlets, fan housing, fan blades and fan louvers. 

Flush and sanitize the water lines. All feed and manure should be removed from the 

housing before cleaning. Allow a minimum of 2 weeks downtime between flocks. 

Monitoring of poultry houses for the presence of Salmonella, particularly Salmonella 

enteritidis, is recommended. This can be done by routine testing of the environment.

Contents 







Health 

Biosecurity 


Diseases 

Vaccination 



Coccidia 









Vertically Transmitted Diseases 

Some diseases are known to be transmitted from infected breeders to their progeny 

(vertical transmission). The production and maintenance of disease-free breeders is the 

first step in the control of these diseases at the commercial level. All breeders directly 

under Hy-Line's control are free of Mycoplasma gallisepticum, Mycoplasma synoviae, 

Salmonella pullorum, Salmonella gallinarum (typhoid), Salmonella enteritidis, and 

lymphoid leukosis. Due to the possibility of horizontal transmission of any of these 

diseases, subsequent generations may not remain free (these generations are not under 

Hy-Line's control). It is the responsibility of the owners of the breeding and commercial 

flocks to prevent horizontal transmission of these diseases and to continue testing to be 

assured of a negative status. 



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Vaccination 

Certain diseases are too widespread or difficult to eradicate and require a routine 

vaccination program. In general, all flocks should be vaccinated against Marek's Diease, 

Newcastle Disease, Infectious Bronchitis, Infectious Bursal Disease (IBD; Gumboro), 

and Avian Encephalomyelitis (AE). The exact vaccination schedule depends upon many 

things such as disease exposures expected, maternal immunities, vaccine types 

available, and routes of administration preferred. Therefore, no one program can be 

recommended for all locations and situations. Consult with local veterinarians to 

determine the best vaccination program for your area. Following is a basic program 

where breeders received an inactivated Newcastle-Bronchitis-IBD vaccine. 

Basic vaccination program for commercial varieties 1 

Age Disease Distribution route 

1 day Marek's Disease (HVT/SB-1 or HVT/Rispens) Injection 

18 days Infectious Bursal Disease Drinking water 

24 days Infectious Bursal Disease 

Newcastle 

Bronchitis 

Drinking water 




6 weeks 

10 weeks 

Newcastle 

Bronchitis 

Avian Encephalomyelitis 

Newcastle 

Bronchitis 

13 weeks Avian Encephalomyelitis 

Pox 

Newcastle 

Bronchitis 

Salmonella 

15 weeks Newcastle 

Bronchitis 

Spray 

Spray 

Spray 

Spray 

Spray 

Wing-web 

Wing-web 

Injection 

Injection 

Injection 

Spray 

Spray 

1 Vaccination for other diseases may be required depending on local disease challenges. 

Basic vaccination program for parent stock 1 

Age Disease Distribution route 

1 day Marek's Disease (HVT/SB-1 or HVT/Rispens) Injection 

18 days Infectious Bursal Disease Drinking water

24 days Infectious Bursal Disease 

Newcastle 

Bronchitis 





6 weeks 

10 weeks 

Newcastle 

Bronchitis 

Avian Encephalomyelitis 

Newcastle 

Bronchitis 

13 weeks Avian Encephalomyelitis 

Pox 

Chick Anemia Virus 

Newcastle 

Bronchitis 


Salmonella 

15 weeks Newcastle 

Bronchitis 

Spray 

Spray 

Spray 

Spray 

Spray 

Wing-web 

Wing-web 

Wing-web 

Injection 

Injection 

Injection 

Injection 

Spray 

Spray 

1 Vaccination for other diseases may be required depending on local disease challenges. 



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Special attention should be paid to Infectious Bursal Disease (IBD) control. This disease 

can have many subtle effects which are detrimental to pullet health. The primary feature 

of IBD is immunosuppression caused by damage to the bursa of Fabricius, which leaves 

the bird unable to fend off other disease challenges. Secondary diseases such as 

gangrenous dermatitis, bacterial arthritis, peritonitis, and even Marek's Disease often 

result. Virtually all flocks are exposed to IBD and, therefore, should be protected by 

vaccination. Most breeding stock receives a killed IBD vaccine to boost maternal 

antibodies in the chicks. 

Research at Hy-Line International has shown the optimum time to vaccinate such chicks 

with intermediate strain live vaccines is at 18 to 20 days, 24 to 26 days, and at 30 to 32 

days of age. Extremely severe IBD challenges may require even more frequent 

vaccination with stronger strains of vaccine during this period. Bursas can be examined 

later to determine the extent of protection. 



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Infections with internal parasites cause damage to the bird's intestines. This may result 

in a variety of problems including: 

Decrease in shell strength, yolk color, egg size, and egg production. 

Poor body weight gain leading to unevenness or stunted birds. Affected birds may 

be dull and show pale combs. 

Increased cannibalism through vent pecking due to straining. Death, in very heavy 

infestations. 

There are 3 main worms that may cause problems in free-range or cage birds: 

Roundworms (Ascaridia galli). These are the largest and most common. They are 

white, up to 5 cm (2 in) long and may be visible in droppings in heavy infestations. 

Hairworms (Capillaria). These are much smaller (hair-like) and are barely visible 

with the naked eye but can cause significant damage even in only moderate 

infestations. 

Cecal worms (Heterakis gallinarum). These worms spend most of their time in the 

ceca. Cecal worms are generally harmless, but can be the intermediary host of 

another parasite, Histomonas, which can cause liver lesions. 

Birds become infected by picking up worm eggs from litter, soil, or feces. The worm eggs 

need warm moist conditions to develop outside the bird, which is why problems are 

frequently worse in the spring and summer, especially following a wet spring. Worm 

burdens can be identified by examination of feces, culled birds, or worm egg counts on 

bulk feces. 

Effective control is aimed at breaking the cycle of infection. Strategic use of anti-parasitic 

drugs (in the growing phase) will help to reduce challenge, but this needs to be 

combined with limiting stock density on land, the use of range rotation, good drainage, 

and the removal of heavily contaminated soil around the house before new pullets arrive. 



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Coccidia 

This parasitic infection of the intestines can lead to intestinal damage and, in severe 

infestations, death of birds. More commonly, poor control of sub-clinical infection 

reduces feed conversion, or leaves pullets with chronic irreversible intestinal damage. 

Such flocks may be uneven or underweight at housing, and may not perform to their full 

potential in lay. 

Currently, effective control is achieved with drug treatments in feed that suppress oocyst 

output. These may involve the use of ionophores or chemicals on a step-down program 

to ensure immunity in pullets. An alternative to anti-coccidial drug treatments is using a 

live vaccine. Live coccidial vaccines are available that can be administered by spray in 

the hatchery or by feed or water application the first few days in the brooder house. All 

treatment/vaccination strategies should be supported with effective biosecurity. The use 

of a disinfectant with proven efficacy against coccidial oocysts will reduce challenge 

pressure. Maintenance of good dry litter will reduce oocyst build up. 



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Mites, such as Red Mite (Dermanyssus gallinae) and Northern Fowl Mite (Ornithonyssus 

sylviarum), are a cause of increasing problems in free-range and caged laying hens. It is 

particularly severe in the summer months when the weather is warm and mites are able 

to multiply quickly. Even light infestations can irritate the birds, leading to poor 

performance and reduced feed intake. In more severe cases, infestations can lead to 

some or all of the following: 

Mites irritate the birds and can make the flock unsettled and nervous. 

The incidence of peritonitis may increase and there may be increased vent pecking. 

Feed intake may be depressed. 

Heavy mite infestations can depress egg production up to 5%. 

Heavy infestations of red mites will make birds anemic due to loss of blood. Birds 

will be evident in the flock with pale combs and, if severely affected, mortality may 

increase. Brown eggs may appear pale 

There may be loss of yolk color and—with heavy infestations of red mites—there will 

be evidence of mites and mite feces on eggs and egg belts, which may lead to 

downgrading of speckled eggs. 

There may be an increase in floor eggs as birds will be reluctant to use heavily 

infested nests. 

Where there are heavy mite infestations, egg collectors may experience skin 

irritation. 

Breaking the cycle of re-infection when the house is empty is the most effective 

approach. Treat the houses effectively at site depletion with an approved product, 

properly applied, to reach into all crevices on equipment, slats, and nest boxes. Use a 

fan nozzle to produce a flat spray. Do not mix pesticides with disinfectants unless 

recommended by the manufacturer. 

Monitor the house and birds during the life of the flock to allow prompt treatment even if 

only light infestations are identified. Programs for treatment to break the Northern Fowl 

Mite life cycle (5 to 7 days) should be done 3 times per day on days 0, 5, and 10. To 

control Red Mites, complete fumigation of the house between flocks with an appropriate 

pesticide is crucial for breaking the mite life cycle. 



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Prevention of Fowl Pox in Laying Hens 

Introduction 

Fowl pox virus is a slow spreading viral disease of various avian species that causes skin 

lesions (dry pox) or diptheritic lesions (wet pox). Dry pox results in scabs and lesions around 

the comb, wattle, ear lobes, and eyes. Wet pox lesions are associated with the oral cavity 

and the upper respiratory tract, especially the larynx and trachea. Wet pox is more serious, 

results in higher mortality, and is a source of current industry problems. The course of the 

disease in individual birds is from 10 to 14 days and "on a flock basis" generally lasts 6 to 

10 weeks. 

There are many types of avian pox viruses and they tend to be specific to particular 

species of birds. All age groups are at risk and distribution of this disease is worldwide. 

The incidence of disease is variable depending on climate, management, hygiene, 

biosecurity, and use of a regular vaccination program. 

History 

Historically, outbreaks of wet pox have caused severe mortality losses in both vaccinated 

and non-vaccinated flocks. Field isolates from severe wet pox cases have been studied and 

some have been found to contain intact reticuloendotheliosis virus (REV) provirus or long 

terminal repeats of REV. Most of these field strains show a greater pathogenicity and 

induce an antibody response to both REV and fowl pox virus. Reticuloendotheliosis virus is 

associated with immunosuppression and, with integrated sequences in the genome of fowl 

pox virus, seems to play an important role in the pathogenesis and prolonged persistence of 

wet pox. 

Wet pox alone can cause high mortality of up to 50 to 60% in unvaccinated chickens. 

This disease can start out as wet pox and spread to birds in the dry pox form and vice 

versa. It can be found causing both wet and dry pox at the same time. Infectious 

laryngotracheitis (ILT) can occur as a dual infection with wet pox. 

Lesions 

Dry pox 

While dry pox generally does not increase mortality, a severe outbreak can cause drops 

in egg production up to 15%. A bird infected with dry pox will develop proliferative scabs 

on unfeathered areas of skin, and the flock will display a high level of morbidity. An 

infection in pullets will result in low mean body weight of the flock.

Wet Pox 

Dry pox lesions on comb, nostrils, beak, and wattles. 

Tracheas can appear reddened or hemorrhagic during certain stages of the disease, 

clinically similar to an ILT infection. The trachea wall is thickened with proliferative, inflamed, 

often patchy lesions on the interior surface. Mortality occurs when the lesion totally occludes 

the larynx or the upper part of the trachea. 

Wet pox in trachea, patchy lesions.

Wet pox lesions in trachea, similar to infections laryngotracheitis (ILT). 

Wet pox in trachea, thickened wall with necrotic tissue.

Occlusion of the larynx; typical of wet pox or infectious laryngotracheitis (ILT). 

Wet pox lesions can also be found in the mouth or conjunctiva of the eye. Other upper 

respiratory diseases such as ILT, viscerotropic velogenic Newcastle disease, avian 

influenza, Mycoplasma gallisepticum (MG), Mycoplasma synoviae (MS), coryza, and 

cholera may complicate an initial diagnosis of wet pox because of similar respiratory 

lesions. 

Diagnosis 

Dry pox 

Dry pox can be identified visually by the characteristic scabs on the featherless areas of 

the bird. Histopathology may be required for conclusive diagnosis. 

Wet pox 

Diagnosis of wet pox can be complicated by similar appearing lesions of other 

respiratory diseases. The only conclusive way to confirm wet pox is by using 

histopathology on suspect lesion tissue fixed in formalin. The presence of eosinophilic 

intracytoplasmic inclusion bodies (Bollinger bodies) is diagnostic for pox virus infection. 

Transmission 

The virus contained in the scabs contaminates the environment and remains infective for 

many months. Mechanical transmission is considered the primary method for dissemination 

of the virus, and infection can occur through injured or lacerated skin. Mechanical vectors 

such as insects, can easily carry pox virus and may deposit the virus on susceptible birds. 

Flys may walk on the eyes of birds, leaving virus behind, and mosquito bites can result in 

rapid spread of pox throughout the farm. Airborne transmission is also suspected in many 

cases of wet pox. 

The mucous membranes of both the trachea and mouth appear to be highly susceptible

to the virus. The infection may occur in the absence of apparent trauma or injury. In a 

contaminated house, the infection can spread easily bird to bird, cage to cage, and by 

the standing water in drinking cups. 

Prevention and control 

Because there is no effective cure for fowl pox, prevention and control are vital for 

keeping flocks healthy. The following are some suggestions that will help decrease the 

impact of fowl pox on a flock: 

Virus particles can be found in the environment and debris found in the poultry 

houses, thus dust control and disinfection of the environment are important. 

An effective insect control program should be in place. 

A biosecurity program to prevent the movement of equipment that could be 

contaminated with pox should be implemented. 

Vaccination is practiced based on history of exposure—revaccination, if necessary, 

can be done in the face of an outbreak because pox infections are usually slow 

spreading. 

In the event of an outbreak, liquid iodine disinfectant (used for disinfecting water 

lines) added to the water appears to aid in reducing mortality. 

Create a stock solution by adding 30 to 45 mL/L (4 to 6 oz/gallon) iodine 

disinfectant to water. 

Add the stock solution to the water line through a medicator at a 

concentration of 8 mL/L (1 oz/gallon) drinking water. 

Spray or fog the house with a disinfectant to reduce exposure. 

Vaccination 

Vaccination should be completed prior to expected exposure to the fowl pox virus. Areas 

that have mosquitoes throughout the year often use 2 vaccinations, one early and one 

later for "permanent" protection. 

Guidelines for pox vaccination 

Chicks can be vaccinated as early as 1 day of age. Tissue culture origin (TCO) 

vaccines (at ¼ to ½ dose per chick) can be used at hatch, either alone by single 

needle wing-web, or in combination with Marek's disease vaccine. This type of 

vaccination does not protect for the life of the bird, but should protect adequately 

until the second vaccination is given. 

For permanent protection, birds need to be vaccinated after 8 to 10 weeks of age 

with a chick embryo origin (CEO) vaccine. 

Use the 2-prong needle applicators supplied with the vaccine. This allows the skin to 

be broken and exposed to vaccine virus 2 times and delivers a full dose of vaccine. 

Check "takes" (i.e., a small swelling or scab at the inoculation site) 6 days post 

vaccination. Vaccination "takes" should be seen in 99 to 100% of vaccinated pullets. 

Check to make sure the correct quantity of vaccine is used and recorded for each 

flock.

Vaccine reaction or "take." About 6 days post vaccination. 

In addition to the above rules for pox, there are additional steps that may need to be 

taken during a wet pox outbreak. 

In high challenge areas, birds may need 2 vaccinations in the pullet stage; an early 

vaccination at 3 to 6 weeks of age and a second at 8 to 14 weeks of age. Additional 

vaccinations can be added, depending on the degree and time of challenge. 

Pigeon pox vaccine appears to provide better cross protection to some wet pox field 

strains. The combination of fowl pox and pigeon pox stimulates a broader spectrum 

immune response needed for optimum protection. Use the combination of pigeon 

pox and fowl pox vaccine at 1.25 doses of each per bird. These vaccines can be 

mixed together and given in one application by wing web. 

A better vaccination response occurs by breaking the skin at four places. The skin 

can be punctured four times with one application by gluing 2 of the vaccine 

applicators together. Additional vaccine diluent is required to provide 1.25 

doses/bird. The quantity of vaccine used per flock should be checked and recorded. 

In flocks that receive multiple pox vaccinations or a day of age vaccination, the 

percentage of takes or degree of vaccine reaction from subsequent vaccinations will 

be lower than 99 to 100% because some birds will still be previously protected and 

not respond to the vaccine. "Takes" should still be checked and recorded after each 

vaccination so a farm history can be developed. 

There is no routine serological test for determining pox immunity, but one way to 

check immunity is to take 200 to 300 birds at 18 to 20 weeks of age that have been 

previously vaccinated and revaccinate them with a full dose of fowl pox. At 6 days 

post vaccination, check for "takes." We should expect 99 to 100% of these birds to 

show no "takes." A "take" at this time means they were not previously protected and 

were susceptible to challenge. Flocks at this age (under severe challenge) that do

not show at least 95% protection may need to be revaccinated. 

Conclusion 

Dry and wet pox challenges are always present and generally well controlled with a 

standard vaccination program, but you should monitor your pox control by constantly 

reviewing: 

changes in the challenge for the farm or surrounding area, 

understanding if the vaccines cover the current pox challenge, 

checking on administration, technique, handling, and storage of vaccine, 

recording "takes" and quantity of vaccine used on each flock, 

timing the vaccine administration for early pullet protection and for permanent 

protection, and 

implementing biosecurity practices to prevent introduction or spread of a pox 

challenge. 

This page was last updated February 1, 2010 

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Regularly empty, clean, and disinfect feed bins and avoid unnecessary build-up of 

dusty, stale, moldy, and unpalatable feed. Birds should be allowed to occasionally empty 

feeders to avoid feed build-up in the feeders and to allow the birds to consume the fines 

often left in the feed troughs. Order feed in good time to avoid running out of feed. 

Upon feed delivery, before discharge, ensure that the correct product and quantities 

have been delivered and that it is delivered to the correct feed bin. During discharge, 

collect representable feed samples and label the sample bags appropriately before 

storage (preferably at -20°C or -4°F) for at least 3 to 4 weeks (i.e., until all the feed from 

the particular load has been consumed and no problems in production or egg quality 

have been reported). Inspect the feed visually for particle size, color, and smell and 

compare it with previous samples. In the event of a significant deviation from the norm, 

inform your feed supplier immediately. Consider returning the load and, if so, send a 

feed sample to an accredited laboratory for analysis to verify the suspected defect. 

Periodically, feed samples should be sent to an accredited laboratory for analysis of 

nutrient content (e.g., moisture, amino acids, total fat, crude protein, phosphorus, 

calcium) and for comparison with the supplier's guarantees. 



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Energy 

Energy is supplied by dietary nutrients (i.e., fats or oils, carbohydrates, and amino acids) 

and is necessary for growth and egg production. For poultry, apparent metabolizable 

energy (defined as gross energy minus losses of energy in feces, urine, and gaseous 

products) is typically used to express the available-energy content of feed ingredients 

and complete diets. However, as illustrated in the table below, differences in the 

metabolizable energy value assigned to feed ingredients of the same name differ 

substantially among regions. Some of the differences can be attributed to differences in 

the feed ingredients' moisture content, but even when the metabolizable energy value is 

expressed on a dry matter basis, the assigned energy values differ. As a result, the 

calculated energy content of a given diet varies substantially depending on which 

assigned energy values were used for the individual feed ingredients. 

Table values of selected feed ingredients showing differences in 

metabolizable energy values (as-fed values) 

Region Corn (maize) Wheat, soft Soybean meal, 48% 

kcal/kg MJ/kg kcal/kg MJ/kg kcal/kg MJ/kg 

United States of America 1 3390 14.18 3210 13.43 2458 10.28 

Brazil 2 3381 14.15 3046 12.74 2302 9.63 

Netherlands 3 3415 14.29 3258 13.63 2309 9.66 

France 4 3203 13.40 2988 12.50 2366 9.90 

Europe 5 3289 13.79 3036 12.69 2323 9.72 

1 Feedstuffs 2008 Reference issue and buyers guide. Feedstuffs, September 10, 2008. Minnetonka, 

Minnesota, USA. 

2 Rostagno, H. S. (ed.). 2005. Brazilian tables for poultry and swine. Composition of feedstuffs and nutritional 

requirements. 2nd ed. Departamento de Zootecnia, Universidade Federal de Vicosa, Brazil. 

3 Centraal Veevoederbureau (CVB). 2008. CVB Table booklet feeding of poultry. CVB-series no. 45. (values 

of ME for laying hens, "MEla," are shown). 

4 Sauvant, D., J.-M. Perez, and G. Tran (eds). 2004. Tables of composition and nutritional value of feed 

materials. 2nd rev. ed. INRA-AFZ, France. 

5Janssen, W. M. M. A. (ed.). 1989. European table of energy values for poultry feedstuffs. 3rd ed. 

Spederholt Center for Poultry Research and Information Services, Beekbergen, The Netherlands. 

Because energy consumption is the main nutritional factor that determines the rate of 

egg production, the flock's current rate of egg production (or egg-production curve) is the 

best indicator of dietary energy adequacy. Comparisons of the flocks body weight with 

the standards is also helpful in determining if the flock is consuming sufficient energy. 

See also Feeding the Laying Hen.

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Birds do not require protein, but rather the amino acids that make up protein. Although 

minimum recommendations for dietary crude protein contents are shown in the 

accompanying tables, it is strongly recommended that diets be formulated on an amino 

acid basis with no crude protein minimums. However, when no minimum crude protein 

content is specified, it is important to consider the content of all amino acids to avoid 

deficiencies. With the use of synthetic (crystalline) amino acids (lysine, methionine, 

threonine), the limiting amino acids in most diets will likely be tryptophan, valine, or 

isoleucine. 

Digestible amino acids 

A portion (typically 10 to 15%) of the dietary amino acids is not digested and instead 

excreted in the feces. Because the indigestible portion varies greatly among feed 

ingredients, it is highly recommended that diets are formulated on a digestible amino acid 

basis. For instance, soybean meal, meat and bone meal, and cottonseed meal contain 

about the same amounts of total methionine, but their methionine digestibilities differ 

widely (see table below). Therefore, diets formulated on a total amino acid basis must 

contain large (and costly) safety margins to account for the differences in digestible 

amino acid content of different feed ingredients, especially when low-quality or coproduct 

ingredients are used. 

Differences in digestibility and contents of digestible methionine among 

feed ingredients with similar contents of total methionine 

Feed ingredient Methionine contents and digestibility 

Soybean meal (48%) 

Meat and bone meal 1 

(48%) 

Cottonseed meal 1 (46%) 

0.64% total methionine × 91% digestibility = 0.58% digestible 

methionine 


methionine 


methionine 

1 There may be legal and practical limitations in the use of meat and bone meal and/or cottonseed meal in 

laying-hen diets other than the amino acid digestibility. 

By formulating diets on a digestible amino acid basis, safety margins can be reduced and 

feed ingredients can be more accurately valued based on their content of bioavailable 

amino acids. Formulation of diets on a digestible amino acid basis is more accurate, 

results in more economical diets, and can reduce the impact on the environment 

compared to formulation on total amino acid basis or on a crude protein basis. Note that 

the amino acid recommendations for Hy-Line birds are based on digestible amino acids. 

Values for amino acid digestibilities in feed ingredients are available through amino acid 

companies, such as Evonik and Ajinomoto. A table of amino acid digestibilities in 

selected feed ingredients is available here in pdf format (322 kb). 

Ideal amino acid ratios

The hens' requirements for individual amino acids change due to genetic or 

environmental factors. However, the ratios among individual amino acids are only slightly 

affected. Thus, once the ideal amino acid ratios have been determined, the requirement 

for a single amino acid (i.e., lysine) can be determined experimentally for a given field 

situation and the requirements for all the other amino acids calculated from the ideal 

ratios. This approach has been adopted with success by the swine industry and is finding 

use in the broiler industry as well. 

The amino acid recommendations for all Hy-Line varieties are based on digestible lysine 

and all other amino acids are calculated using ideal amino acid ratios. The ideal amino 

acid ratios used are based on a review of the literature (see table below) as well as 

analyses of practical commercial diets that result in excellent performance. The ideal 

amino acid ratios used to set amino acid recommendations may differ slightly among Hy- 

Line varieties due to differences in body weights and egg weights. 

Ideal amino acid profiles 1 for laying hens. 

Amino 

acid 

Bregendahl 

et al. 

(2008) 2 

NRC 

(1994) 3 

Jais et 

al. 

(2008) 4 

CVB 

(1996) 5 

Coon 

and 

Zhang 

(1999) 5 

Leeson 

and 

Summers 

(2005) 6 

Rostagno 

(2005) 5 

Lysine 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 

Methionine 47 43 44 50 49 51 50 

Methionine 

+ cystine 

94 84 — 93 81 88 91 

Threonine 77 68 76 66 73 80 66 

Tryptophan 22 23 16 19 20 21 23 

Arginine — 7 101 82 — 130 103 100 

Isoleucine 79 94 76 79 86 79 83 

Valine 93 101 64 86 102 89 90 

1 Lysine requirement set at 100%. 

2 Based on true digestible requirements for maximal egg mass (egg mass is defined as percent egg 

production × grams of egg weight). 

3 Based on total amino acid requirements. 

4 Based on nitrogen balance. 

5 Based on digestible amino acid requirements. 

6 Based on total amino acid requirements for 32-to-45-wk-old laying hens. 

7 The arginine-to-lysine ratio was estimated to be 107 or less. 

The differences in individual ideal amino acid ratios shown in the table above reflect 

differences in how they were determined (i.e., by calculation from averages of amino acid 

requirements from many or few experiments) and likely by differences in body weight and 

egg production of the hens used in the respective experiments (i.e., partitioning of amino 

acid needs among maintenance, body weight gain, and egg production). Currently, all 

estimates of the ideal amino acid ratios for laying hens combine ratios for maintenance, 

body weight gain, and egg production. It should therefore be expected that the ratios can 

vary depending on the specific flock and its egg-production performance.

Literature Cited 

Bregendahl, K., S. A. Roberts, B. Kerr, and D. Hoehler. 2008. Ideal ratios of isoleucine, 

methionine, methionine plus cystine, threonine, tryptophan, and valine relative to lysine 

for white leghorn-type laying hens of twenty-eight to thirty-four weeks of age. Poultry 

Science 87:744-758. 

Centraal Veevoederbureau (CVB). 1996. Aminozurenbehoefte van Leghennen en 

Vleeskuikens [Amino acid requirements for laying hens and broiler chickens]. 

Documentation Report nr. 18 (in Dutch). Lelystad, The Netherlands. 

Coon, C., and B. Zhang. 1999. Ideal amino acid profile for layers examined. Feedstuffs 

71(14):13-15, 31. 

Jais, C., F. X. Roth, and M. Kirchgessner. 1995. The determination of the optimum ratio 

between the essential amino acids in laying hen diets. Archiv für Geflügelkunde 59:292- 

302. 

Leeson, S., and J. D. Summers. 2005. Commercial Poultry Production. 3rd ed. University 

Books, Guelph, ON. 

NRC. 1994. Nutrient Requirements of Poultry. 9th ed. National Academy Press, 

Washington, DC. 

Rostagno, H. S. 2005. Brazilian tables for poultry and swine. Composition of feedstuffs 

and nutritional requirements. 2nd ed. Departamento de Zootecnia, Universidade Federal 

de Vicosa, Brazil. 



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Use of Exogenous Feed Enzymes 

Exogenous feed enzymes can be effective in improving the digestibility of nutrients and 

energy in feed ingredients, thereby lowering diet cost and the impact on the 

environment. For instance, phytase can be used effectively to increase phosphorus 

bioavailability from phytate-containing ingredients, such as corn grain and soybean meal, 

whereas carbohydrases, such as xylanase and beta-glucanase, can effectively increase 

the diet's energy digestibility. 

However, the composition of the complete diet must be carefully considered to ensure 

that the exogenous enzymes have sufficient amounts of substrates to work on. For 

instance, the efficacy of phytase is greatest when all the phosphorus in the diet comes 

from phytate-containing ingredients. The available-phosphorus credit assigned to 

phytase should be higher in a diet containing corn and soybean meal than in a diet 

containing wheat, soybean meal, and meat-and-bone meal. Failure to consider the 

phytate content of the complete diet when assigning an available-phosphorus credit to 

the phytase product may lead to phosphorus deficiencies, resulting in poor egg 

production, osteomalacia, and gout. Similarly, failure to consider the xylan or beta-glucan 

content of the complete diet when assigning energy credits to a carbohydrase product 

may lead to insufficient energy consumption, resulting in reduced growth, egg 

production, and egg weight. 



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Feeding and management of pullets during the growing period have major effects on 

egg production and egg weights during the laying period. Mistakes made during the 

growing period can lead to poor production in lay and cannot easily be corrected during 

the laying period. Therefore, flexibility in pullet diet formulation and in the timing of diet 

changes is necessary to ensure that body weight and uniformity targets are met. 

Feeding the starter diet as crumbles can improve body weight gain and uniformity by 

increasing the chicks' feed consumption and avoiding selective feeding. 

Diet or phase changes 

Diet changes are governed by target body weights, not bird age. Close monitoring of the 

pullets' body weight is therefore a key prerequisite for diet changes. If chicks are below 

the recommended target weight at 3 weeks of age (when a change from the starter diet 

to the grower diet is normally recommended), the starter diet should be fed longer until 

the target weight-for-age is met. If there is a large discrepancy between the pullets' body 

weight and the target weight, diets can be reformulated with higher energy 

concentrations. Other options to consider include any factor that affect feed intake and, 

therefore consumption of energy and nutrients. These factors include 

Speed of feeders and the duration of the feeding—the feeders should run long 

enough to ensure that feed is distributed throughout the barn, adding 2 to 3 cm (1 in) 

of feed in the feed trough. 

The numbers of feedings per day—the feeders should run when the lights are turned 

on in the morning and before lights are turned off in the evening. Additional feeding 

periods should be distributed throughout the day, potentially with a pause in the 

middle of the day so the birds can empty (or almost empty) the feed troughs. A 

midnight feeding can also be used to increase feed consumption. 

Drinking-water flow rate—if birds do not drink water, they do not consume feed. 

Insufficient feeder or water space (crowding)—too little access to feed and/or water 

decreases feed consumption and, therefore, growth rate. 

Feed refusal—could be caused by presence of molds or mycotoxins. Or parts of the 

feed may not be consumed if ground too fine (i.e., poor particle-size distribution) or if 

the crumble-quality is not good. 

Abrupt feed-formulation changes—too large changes in feed-ingredient compositiion 

or nutrient content may (temporarily) decrease feed consumption. 

Lack of perches or insufficient perch space—perches improves the social 

environment and allow less-agressive birds in teh flock to consume more feed and 

water. 

Influencing the rate of body weight gain through nutrition 

Young pullets do not regulate feed consumption based on energy intake as well as 

mature laying hens do, and they will therefore usualy respond to higher-energy diets with 

an increase in body weight gain. Increasing the dietary energy content to promote 

growth in warm weather (when feed consumption is depressed) may not be as effective 

as in cool weather; therefore, the concentrations of amino acids, minerals, and vitamins 

should also be increased proportionally, following the principles of formulating for feed

intake for laying hens. 

Although high-density diets can be used to improve body weight gain, the sustained 

feeding of diets with higher-than-recommended energy contents or with a low fiber 

content can result in inadequate development of the birds' capacity for feed 

consumption, leading to low feed intakes and egg-production during lay. As long as 

body weight targets can be met, the energy content of the pre-lay diet should be lower 

than that of the preceding (developer) and subsequent (peaking) diet to encourage 

increased feed consumption and build capacity for feed consumption during lay. A 

midnight feeding can be used to increase feed intake and body weight gain, which is 

especially beneficial in hot weather. 

Pre-lay diets 

The recommended calcium content in the pullet diet is around 1%, which ensures 

sufficient calcium consumption to develop a good bone structure. The pre-lay diet, fed at 

the beginning of sexual maturity (i.e., approximately 2 weeks prior to the first egg and 

never earlier than 15 weeks of age), should contain higher levels of calcium (2.5% 

calcium) and avaiolable phosphorus than the grower diets in an effort to help develop 

medullary bone. 

Medullary bone acts as a calcium reservoir, from which the mature hen can quickly 

mobilize calcium for eggshell formation. Proper development of medullary bone has 

implications for osteoporosis and eggshell quality in late lay. Nevertheless, the extra 

management of a pre-lay diet, which is fed for only a short time, may preclude its use. In 

these cases, it is not recommended to feed a layer-type diet with high (4 to 5%) calcium 

prior to sexual maturity (i.e., instead of a pre-layer diet), because it can lead to wet 

manure, which persist well into the lay period. 

On the other hand, the grower and pre-lay diets should not be fed beyond the first egg, 

as they contain inadequate amounts of calcium for sustained egg production. If it is not 

practical to feed a pre-lay diet with 2.5% calcium for 2 weeks prior to lay, the last diet 

before point-of-lay should contain 1.4% calcium. Although this level of calcium is not as 

good as 2.5% calcium to help develop medullary bone, it is better than 1% calcium; the 

1.4% calcium is not high enough to cause problems with kidney damage or wet manure 

in lay. 



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The nutrition recommendations are based on supplying a given amount of nutrients per 

day to each hen. The recommended amount of nutrients are provided in milligrams or 

grams per day and one must therefore know (or acurately estimate) the hens' daily feed 

intake in order to calculate the dietary percentage inclusion of each nutrient. The diets 

should be formulated on a digestible amino acid basis according to desired egg 

production, egg weight, eggshell quality, and observed feed intake (see below). The 

level of egg production is mainly controlled by the energy intake, whereas the egg weight 

is affected—not controlled—by consumption of balanced protein and fats. 

Formulating for feed intake 

The hens' feed consumption rate is governed by several factors, including body weight 

(or age), rate of egg production, egg weight, effective ambient temperature, feed texture, 

dietary nutrient imbalances, and dietary energy content. The latter is especially 

important, because hens tend to increase or decrease feed consumption to maintain 

energy intake within a given range determined by the hens' physical capacity for feed 

intake-in other words, hens will attempt to consume more of a low-energy diet than of a 

high-energy diet. Only in special cases (such as nutrient imbalances or marginal salt 

deficiencies) will the hens adjust their feed consumption to meet their needs for specific 

nutrients, but usually not with great accuracy. 

Accurate and frequent estimates of actual flock feed intake are critical to effective feed 

formulation. Because the hens' feed consumption rate can vary with age of the bird, 

effective ambient temperature, and dietary energy content, the diet's concentration of 

energy and nutrients should be carefully considered such that the diet provides the 

recommended grams or milligrams of nutrient intake. 

For example, with an observed feed consumption of 95 g/day and a recommended daily 

calcium intake of 4.10 g/day, the dietary calcium concentration should be 4.32%: 

(4.10 g Ca needed × 100) / 95 g feed consumed = 4.32% Ca in the diet 

Similarly, if the recommended digestible lysine consumption is 750 mg/day, the dietary 

concentration of digestible lysine should be 0.79%: 

(750 mg lysine needed × 100) / 95 g feed consumed = 0.789% lysine in the diet 

Should the daily feed consumption decrease to, say, 85 g/day (for instance due to increased 

effective ambient temperature or an increase in the dietary energy concentration), the hens 

fed the above diet would consume only (85 g × 4.32% =) 3.67 g calcium and (85 g × 0.79% 

=) 672 mg digestible lysine, which is significantly less that the recommended amounts. The 

same is true for other nutrients and energy. As a result, eggshell quality, egg weight, and 

egg production may decrease. Therefore, with a feed consumption of 85 g/day, the dietary 

concentrations of calcium and digestible lysine should be adjusted to 4.82% and 0.88%, 

respectively, to ensure the recommended calcium and digestible-lysine intakes of 4.10 g 

and 750 mg, respectively. This principle is demonstrated in the nutrition tables where the 

nutrient levels are expressed on a percentage basis according to the feed intake.

Feeding at start of lay 

Formulating for the observed feed intake is especially important at onset of lay. The daily 

feed intake is relatively low in the time between the onset of egg production and peak 

egg production (18 to approximately 32 weeks of age). Yet, it is important to provide the 

hen with adequate nutrition at this time to sustain increases in body weight and the high 

demands for egg production—remember that even though the whole flock's egg 

production is, say 50%, the hens that are laying eggs lay 1 egg per day (corresponding 

to 100% egg production for the individual hen). This high demand for energy and 

nutrients should be met, but can be difficult because of the relatively low feed intake at 

this age. Therefore, it is recommended to start feeding a fairly concentrated diet, 

formulated for a relatively low feed intake, and then change diet to a less concentrated 

diet as the feed intake develops with age. Suggested nutrition programs are available for 

each of Hy-Line's laying hens. 



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Body weight at point of lay influences yolk size, which, in turn, influences egg weight. 

Therefore, changing the pullet feeding and management program to increase body 

weight at point of lay can increase the egg size throughout the laying period and vice 

versa. 

During the laying period, egg weight can be influenced by changing the consumption of 

balanced protein or amino acids (of these, methionine has traditionally been used to 

affect egg weight), linoleic acid, and supplemental fat or oil. Rather than changing just 

methionine, it is recommended to change all the amino acids to influence egg weight. 

Consumption of energy will typically affect the rate of egg production before affecting 

egg weight, so the dietary energy content should normally not be changed in an attempt 

to influence egg weight. 

Note that if these nutritional strategies are used to influence egg weights to avoid 

excessively heavy eggs, it is important to start egg-weight control early in 

the production cycle (i.e., 2 to 3 g before the desired egg weight). Once the eggs 

are above the desired weights, it is difficult—if not impossible—to reduce egg weight 

without also reducing egg production. 

Strategies to decrease (or "control") egg weight include 

1. Reducing feed intake 

this may best be done by increasing the ambient temperature in the barn 

without negatively affecting air quality, or 

by controlling the number of feedings per day), 

2. Reducing the consumption of amino acids ("balanced protein") 

3. Reducing the consumption of fat or oil 

this may be done without affecting the dietary energy content through the use 

of exogenous feed enzymes 

for the Hy-Line W-36 and W-36 Parent Stock, reducing the dietary fat or oil 

content before peak production is helpful (as long as the birds still receive 

sufficient energy) 

4. Reducing the consumption of linoleic acid (C18:2 n-3) 

it appears that fat or oil in general (as opposed to a specific fatty acid) has 

more influence on egg weight than linoleic acid (at linoleic-acid intakes 

above 1 g per day) 

5. Reducing the body weight at point of lay (and avoid increases in body weight above 

the performance standards throughout the lay cycle). 

The opposite strategies can be used to increase egg size. All strategies (except perhaps 

body weight, which is not easily changed without changing egg production) can be 

implemented at different ages to influence the shape of the egg-weight curve. 

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Adequate consumption of calcium, phosphorus, trace minerals (e.g., zinc, magnesium, 

manganese, and copper), and vitamin D3 is essential for eggshell quality. Bioavailability 

(and solubility) of the minerals vary greatly among feed ingredients and should be 

considered when formulating diets. 

The eggshell contains about 2 g calcium regardless of the laying-hen's age or egg 

weight. Therefore, as the hens' age and the eggs become larger, the shell becomes 

thinner. At the same time, the hens' ability to absorb calcium from the intestines 

diminishes. There are therefore several strategies to improve eggshell quality in late lay: 

Feed a pre-lay diet, 

formulate diets for observed feed consumption, 

control egg weight, 

increase the dietary content of calcium, 

change the form of the calcium supplement, 

increase the consumption of vitamin D3 , 

increase consumption of 25-hydroxy vitamin D 3 , 

increase consumption of organic (chelated) trace mineral, and 

replace part of the dietary salt (NaCl) with sodium bicarbonate (NaHCO3 ) during hot 

weather. 

Feed a pre-lay diet 

The pre-lay diet should contain about 2.5% calcium and is fed for 2 weeks prior to the 

first egg is laid (but not before 15 weeks of age). This type of diet helps develop 

medullary bone, which is a type of bone found inside the long bones (e.g., inside the 

femur). Medullary bone acts as a source (or reservoir) of calcium at night for eggshell 

formation. A more highly developed medullary bone will help improve eggshell quality, 

especially late in lay. Feeding the pre-lay diet is an option before the flock starts egg 

production. 

Formulate diets for observed feed consumption 

The percentage concentration of nutrients in the diet should correlate with the observed 

feed consumption, such that the diet provides the recommended grams or milligrams of 

the individual nutrients. Recommended diet concentrations for selected feed 

consumption rates and ages are available for each Hy-Line variety in the Nutrition 

Recommendations section. 

Control egg weight 

As mentioned above, larger eggs have thinner shells, so a relatively smaller egg will 

have a better shell quality. Egg weight is influenced by several factors, including body 

weight (larger hens will lay larger eggs) and nutrition. Start controlling egg weight with 

nutrition when the egg is 2 to 3 g lighter than the desired egg weight. Once the egg 

weight is too great, it is all but impossible to make it smaller without adversely affecting

egg production. Egg weight can be influenced by reducing the consumption of amino 

acids (reduce all the amino acids, not just methionine, to make a less expensive diet), 

linoleic acid, and oil in general. 

Increase the dietary content of calcium 

The hens' ability to absorb calcium from the diet diminishes with age, so the dietary 

calcium content should be increased with age. This is reflected in the nutrient 

recommendations. However, sometimes, higher or lower levels of calcium will result in 

good eggshell quality, so some flexibility in calcium levels is desired—the optimal calcium 

level in the diet is that which results in the best eggshell quality; this calcium level may be 

different from that shown in the management guide, but usually very close. Although it is 

preferred to increase the dietary content of calcium through changes in diet formulation, 

top-dressing with a calcium source (e.g., CaCO3 , marine shells, or oyster shells) can be 

effective. In this case, the calcium source can be distributed by hand directly into the 

feeders (on top of the feed) or it can be added to the hopper or feed container at the 

feed-distribution point inside the house. 

Change the form of the calcium supplement 

The form in which calcium is added to the diet can also improve eggshell quality. Hy-Line 

recommends that 65% of the added CaCO3 should have a mean particle size of 2 to 4 

mm, while 35% of the added CaCO 3 should have a mean particle size less than 2 mm. 

The lower solubility of the large-particle-size CaCO 3 will ensure that there is calcium 

available in the intestines during the night hours, when the hens normally do not 

consume the calcium-rich feed. If large-particle-size CaCO3 or oyster shells are 

topdressed onto the feed instead of mixing it directly into the feed, it is best to topdress in 

the late afternoon a few hours before the lights are turned off. A midnight feeding may 

provide sufficient calcium during the night, such that large-particle-size CaCO3 may not 

be necessary to optimize eggshell quality, although it is still recommended. 

Increase the consumption of vitamin D 3 

Vitamin D 3 is involved in the regulation of calcium absorption from the intestines. 

Therefore, increasing the consumption of vitamin D 3 (though the vitamin premix or 

drinking water) may increase shell quality. Although Vitamin D 2 may be available for 

purchase, Vitamin D 2 is not metabolized by poultry and, therefore, has no vitamin-D 

activity. Therefore, only vitamin D 3 can be used in poultry feed. 

Increase consumption of 25-hydroxy vitamin D 3 

The 25-hydroxy (25-OH) vitamin D 3 helps improve calcium retention and may be given 

through the feed or drinking water according with the manufacturer's recommendations. 

The 25-OH vitamin D3 can be mixed into the feed (e.g., through the vitamin premix) or 

administered through the drinking water. 

Increase consumption of organic (chelated) trace minerals. 

Consumption of organic zinc (Zn), manganese (Mn), and copper (Cu) has been shown to 

increase eggshell quality, especially in older layers. As a result, about 20 ppm each of 

Zn and Mn could be included in the trace mineral premix and an additional inclusion rate 

of organic Zn, Mn, and Cu could be administered in the feed during mid to late lay.

Replace part of the dietary salt (NaCl) with sodium bicarbonate 

(NaHCO3) 

Under heat-stress conditions, the diet can be re-formulated with 20 to 30% of the sodium 

(Na) coming from sodium bicarbonate (NaHCO3 ). During heat stress, birds increase their 

respiration rate ('pant') to remove excess heat, which, in turn, affects the bicarbonate 

buffer system in the blood. Specifically, the equilibrium 

CO 2 + H 2 O H 2 CO 3 HCO 3 - + H + 

shifts towards the left, in effect removing HCO 3 - from the blood. A reduction in the blood 

concentration of HCO 3 - can adversely affect eggshell quality, because the HCO3 - is used 

for eggshell formation (the calcium in the eggshell is in the form of CaCO 3 ). Adding a dietary 

source of HCO 3 - in the form of NaHCO3 can therefore help improve eggshell quality in 

warm weather. It is important to maintain the overall dietary content of sodium by reducing 

the amount of salt (i.e., do not just add NaHCO3 without reducing the NaCl in the diet), 

because an increase in sodium consumption can cause wet manure. Also note, that when 

salt (NaCl) is partially removed from the diet, the dietary content of chloride (Cl) is lowered; 

therefore, make sure that the diet contains sufficient chloride to meet the birds' needs. The 

minimum recommendations for sodium and chloride are provided in the nutritionrecommendations 

section. 



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Water is the most important nutrient and good-quality water must be available to the 

birds at all times. Only in special cases (e.g., prior to vaccine delivery through the 

drinking water), should drinking water be restricted, and then only for a short time and 

under careful monitoring. 

Monitoring drinking-water intake 

Water and feed consumption are directly related—when birds drink less water, they 

consume less feed, and production quickly declines accordingly. As a general rule, 

healthy adult birds will consume twice as much water as feed, although the ratio 

increases during periods of warm weather. Installation and use of water meters in each 

house or barn are recommended to monitor the flock's water intake on a daily basis. 

Such daily water-intake records can be used as an early warning of problems in the 

flock. 

Drinking-water quality 

Suggested maximum mineral concentrations as well as a suggested range of pH for 

drinking water are shown in the table below. In addition, nitrites (NO 

2- 

2 ) and bacterial 

contamination should be minimized (Leeson and Summers, 2005). In some cases, high 

concentrations of certain minerals (e.g., sodium, Na) in the drinking water should lead to 

corresponding changes in the dietary composition to avoid excessive mineral intakes. 

Suggested maximum concentrations of selected minerals in drinking 

water (Leeson and Summers, 2005). 

Item Concentration 

ppm or mg/L 

Total soluble salts ("hardness") 1500 

Chloride (Cl) 500 

Sulfate (S) 1000 

Iron (Fe) 50 

Magnesium (Mg) 200 

Potassium (K) 500 

Sodium (Na) 500 

Nitrate (NO 3 - ) 50 

Arsenic (As) 0.01 

pH (acidity) 6.0-8.5 

Literature Cited

Leeson, S., and J. D. Summers. 2005. Commercial Poultry Production. 3rd ed. University 

Books, Guelph, ON. 



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Feeding Rapeseed Meal or Canola Meal 

to Hy-Line Brown Hens 

All Hy-Line Brown hens, hatched after January 1 2009, can be fed diets containing at 

least 24% double-low rapeseed meal or Canola meal without causing fishy taint eggs. 

However, the highest recommended dietary content of rapeseed meal or Canola meal 

for Hy-Line Brown hens is 8 to 10%, similar to that of white laying hens. 

This information is also available in pdf format (1089 kb). 

Rapeseed (Canola) meal 

Rapeseed meal and Canola meal are the products remaining after the oil has been 

extracted from rapeseed and Canola, respectively. Rapeseed (Brassica napus and 

Brassica campestris/rapa) that have been bred to contain low levels (i.e., less than 2%) 

of erucic acid in the oil and low levels (i.e., less than 30 µmol/g) of glucosinolates in the 

meal portion are called double-low rapeseed or Canola. 

Depending on the type of rapeseed used, the extent to which oil is extracted, and the 

addition of the fibrous hulls back to the meal, rapeseed meal contains 32 to 38% crude 

protein and is a good source of amino acids (Table 1). However, the relatively high 

content of fiber reduces the metabolizable energy content and also adversely affects the 

digestibility of amino acids. Nevertheless, rapeseed meal is used throughout the world as 

a protein source in pullet and laying-hen diets, and its use is second only to soybean 

meal. 

In the 1970s, it was recognized that rapeseed meal in the diet of brown-shell laying hens 

could result in a low proportion of the eggs produced having a fishy taint or odor. This 

does not normally occur in white-shell laying hens. As a result, rapeseed meal is usually 

only fed to brown-shell laying hens in small amounts (i.e., no more than 2 to 3% of the 

diet), if at all. 

Fishy taint eggs 

Fishy taint eggs are caused by deposition of fishy smelling tri-methylamine (TMA) in the 

egg yolk. Although variable, people can detect a fishy taint in eggs when the yolks 

contain more than about 4 µg TMA per gram yolk. The contents of sinapine and 

glucosinolates in dietary rapeseed meal along with a defective gene in some brown hens 

are the main causes of the fishy taint eggs. 

Rapeseed meal contains 0.6 to 1.8% sinapine, which consists of sinapinic acid bound to 

choline (Figure 1). Sinapine is not digested by the hens, but moves with other undigested 

feed into the large intestines, where one of the fermentation products is TMA. The TMA 

is subsequently absorbed into the blood. Normally, the TMA is oxidized in the liver by the 

enzyme, flavin-containing monooxygenase 3 (FMO3), to the odorless TMA N-oxide, 

which is excreted by the kidneys. However, a small proportion of brown hens have a 

mutation in the FMO3 gene that renders the enzyme defective and allows the fishy 

smelling TMA to be deposited in the egg yolk. Although sinapine is a form of choline, 

other forms of choline (e.g., choline chloride) fed to brown hens at normal inclusion

levels do not cause fishy taint eggs, because the choline is absorbed in the small 

intestines before it can be fermented to TMA in the large intestines. 

Figure 1. Structure of sinapine, showing its components, sinapinic acid, choline, and trimethylamine (TMA). 

The bond between sinapinic acid and choline is broken by bacterial fermentation in the large intestines; 

choline is further broken down by bacteria in the large intestines to TMA, which is absorbed into the blood. 

Rapeseed meal contains glucosinolates—although the glucosinolate content must be 

less than 30 µmol/g to be called double-low rapeseed or Canola. Typically, Canadiangrown 

Canola meal contains about 7 µmol/g glucosinolates, whereas traditional (i.e., 

non-double-low) rapeseed meal contains 120 to 150 µmol/g. The glucosinolates are 

undesirable in part because they are unpalatable and in part because their breakdown 

products can inhibit the hens' production of thyroid hormones. In addition, the 

glucosinolates inhibit oxidase enzymes, including the FMO3 enzyme that oxidizes TMA 

to the odorless TMA N-oxide. Thus, consumption of glucosinolates may cause fishy taint 

eggs, depending on the amount of glucosinolate (and sinapine) consumed. 

Rapeseed meal and Canola meal can be fed to Hy-Line Brown 

hens 

Hy-Line Brown hens, hatched after January 1 2009, can tolerate high amounts of 

rapeseed meal without fear of causing fishy taint eggs. In a recent experiment conducted 

in Dr. Hank Classens' laboratory at the University of Saskatchewan in Canada, Hy-Line 

Brown hens were fed diets containing up to 24% Canola meal. Even with this very high 

dietary content of Canola, the Hy-Line Brown hens were able to maintain a TMA content 

in the yolk below the 4 µg/g detection level (Ward et al., 2009). 

When applying the information from the research by Ward et al. (2009) to field situations, 

there are a few items to consider: 

The highest level of Canola meal fed was 24%, so it is possible that the Hy-Line 

Brown hens can tolerate higher amounts without affecting the TMA content in the 

yolk. That said, it is unlikely that commercial diets will contain more than 24% 

Canola meal. Indeed, typically, no more than 5 to 8% Canola meal is recommended 

in diets for white laying hens, because of relatively low energy and nutrient contents 

that limits the dietary inclusion rate, a relatively high content of tannins that 

adversely affect palatability, and the contents of goitrogens (even in double-low 

rapeseed meal) that adversely affect egg production. So, in white laying hens, no 

more than about 8% rapeseed meal is recommended in the diet. It is therefore 

unlikely that Hy-Line Brown hens will be fed diets containing more than 8% 

rapeseed meal. 

The highest level of rapeseed meal that can be fed to Hy-Line Brown hens without

causing fishy taint eggs depends on the concentration of sinapine (and other forms 

of choline) in the specific rapeseed meal that is fed. If the locally available rapeseed 

meal contains "high" amounts of sinapine and if the rapeseed meal is included in 

"high" amounts in the diet, it is technically possible to overwhelm the FMO3 enzyme 

so that not all the TMA is oxidized to non-odorous TMA N-oxide. 

The experiment by Ward et al. (2009) lasted for only 4 weeks. From this particular 

study, it is impossible to know if dietary rapeseed meal will cause fishy taint if fed to 

Hy-Line Brown hens throughout their entire grow and production cycle. That said, it 

is unlikely that feeding even very high levels of double-low rapeseed to Hy-Line 

Brown hens for more than 4 weeks or throughout the hens' life cycle will cause fishytaint 

eggs. 

Recommendations 

Hy-Line Brown hens can tolerate relatively high amounts of rapeseed meal without 

causing fishy taint eggs. From the study by Ward et al. (2009), conducted with Hy-Line 

Brown hens, it is evident that the diet can contain at least 24% rapeseed meal without 

causing fishy taint eggs. Under practical, commercial conditions, it is unlikely that a 

laying hen diet will contain rapeseed meal at such high levels. Therefore, the content of 

rapeseed meal in diets for Hy-Line Brown hens is only limited by its energy and nutrient 

contents, its contents of tannins, and its price relative to other protein supplements. The 

fear of fishy taint eggs need not influence the dietary inclusion level of rapeseed meal to 

Hy-Line Brown hens. In other words, egg producers can use rapeseed meal in 

diets for Hy-Line Brown hens the same way as they would for white 

laying hens. 

Literature cited 

Ward, A. K., H. L. Classen, and F. C. Buchanan. 2009. Fishy-egg tainting is recessively 

inherited when brown-shelled layers are fed canola meal. Poultry Science 88:714-721. 

Availability 

Note that the local availability of Hy-Line Brown chicks that can tolerate double-low 

rapeseed meal depends on the grandparent or parent-stock flock; please check with 

your local Hy-Line sales agent for availability. 

Table 1. Nutritional composition of rapeseed (Canola) meal and 

soybean meal (as-fed basis, standardized to 88% dry matter). Note that 

the composition of rapeseed meal and soybean meal depends on 

variety, local growing conditions, and processing. 

Item Double-low rapeseed or 

Canola meal 

Soybean meal 

Dry matter, % 88.0 88.0 

Crude protein, % 36.8 47.8 

MEn, 1 kcal/kg 2040 2458 

MEn, 1 kcal/lb 925 1115 

MEn, 1 MJ/kg 8.54 10.29

Ether extract 

(crude fat), % 

Linoleic acid 

(C18:2, n-6), % 

3.67 1.00 

0.77 0.50 

Crude fiber, % 10.73 3.00 

Calcium (Ca), % 0.66 0.20 

Phosphorus (P) 

(total), % 

Phosphorus (P) 

(available), % 

1.13 0.65 

0.29 0.21 

Sodium (Na), % 0.10 0.04 

Potassium (K), % 1.25 1.90 

Sulfur (S), % 0.97 0.43 

Chloride (Cl), % 0.10 0.02 

Ash, % 6.96 6.00 

Goitrogens, 

µmol/g 

Erucic acid 

(C22:1, n-9), % 

3 Price including delivery in Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA (October 12, 2009). 

4 Standardized (true) ileal digestibility. 



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—— 





Stock 




Vitamin Recommendations 

The vitamin recommendations shown below include a safety margin. However, if the 

feed consumption is low due to heat stress or during the time of developing appetite 

between point of lay and peak egg production, the dietary vitamin content can be 

increased. This is most easily done by increasing the dietary addition of the vitamin 

premix (for example from 3 kg premix per 1000 kg diet to 3.75 kg premix per 1000 kg 

diet). Note that local regulations may limit the dietary content of individual vitamins, 

which, in turn, may limit how much 'extra' vitamin premix can be added to the diet. 

Jump to the table for 

Commercial pullets (growing period) 

Commercial laying hens (laying period) 

Breeders (parent stock) (growing and laying periods) 

See also the recommendations for trace minerals. 

Recommendations for added vitamins for commercial pullets 1 

Vitamin Recommended minimum vitamin content in the 

complete diet 

per 1 kg diet per 1 lb diet 

Vitamin A, IU 9900 4490 

Vitamin D 3 , IU 3300 1497 

25-hydroxy Vitamin 

D3 , 2 µg 

55 

(0.055 mg) 

25 

(0.025 mg) 

Vitamin E, IU 22 10 

Vitamin K (menadione), 

mg 

3.3 1.5 

Thiamine (B 1 ), mg 2.2 1.0 

Riboflavin (B 2 ), mg 6.6 3.0 

Niacin (B 3 ), mg 33 15 

Pantothenic acid (B 5 ), 

mg 

11 5 

Pyridoxine (B 6 ), mg 4.4 2.0 

Biotin (B 7 ), µg 

55 

(0.55 mg) 

25 

(0.25 mg)

Folic acid (B 9 ), mg 0.9 0.4 

Cobalamine (B 12 ), µg 

22 

(0.022 mg) 

10 

(0.010 mg) 

Choline, mg 110 50 

1 Minimum recommendations for growing period. Local laws or regulations may limit the dietary inclusion of 

some vitamins. 

2 If 25-OH Vitamin D3 is added to the diet, the contents of 'regular' vitamin D 3 may be lowered in accordance 

with the manufacturer's recommendations or to comply with local laws regulating the total amount of Vitamin 

D added to the diet. 

Recommendations for added vitamins for commercial laying hens 1,2 


complete diet 



Vitamin D 3 , IU 3300 1497 


D3 , 3 µg 

55 

(0.055 mg) 

25 

(0.025 mg) 

Vitamin E, IU 16.5 7.5 


mg 

2.2 1.0 

Thiamine (B 1 ), mg 1.7 0.8 

Riboflavin (B 2 ), mg 5.5 2.5 

Niacin (B 3 ), mg 28 13 


mg 

6.6 3.0 



55 

(0.55 mg) 

25 

(0.25 mg) 



22 

(0.022 mg) 

10 

(0.010 mg) 


1 Minimum recommendations for laying period. Local laws or regulations may limit the dietary inclusion of 

some vitamins. 

2 For W-36 hens in lay, increase amounts by 25% until approximately 95-100 g/day feed intake is reached. 



D added to the diet.

Recommendations for added vitamins for breeding laying hens 1,2 


complete diet 



Vitamin D 3 , IU 4400 1995 


D3 , 3 µg 

55 

(0.055 mg) 

25 

(0.025 mg) 

Vitamin E, IU 66 30 


mg 

2.2 1.0 

Thiamine (B 1 ), mg 2.2 1.0 

Riboflavin (B 2 ), mg 11 5 

Niacin (B 3 ), mg 44 20 


mg 

13 6 



220 

(0.220 mg) 

100 

(0.100 mg) 



24 

(0.024 mg) 

11 

(0.011 mg) 


1 Minimum recommendations for growing and laying periods. Local laws or regulations may limit the dietary 

inclusion of some vitamins. 

2 For W-36 parent stock in lay, increase amounts by 25% until approximately 95-100 g/day feed intake is 

reached. 



D added to the diet. 



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Trace-Mineral Recommendations 

The trace-mineral recommendations shown below include a safety margin. However, if 

the feed consumption is low due to heat stress or during the time of developing appetite 

between point of lay and peak egg production, the dietary trace-mineral content can be 

increased. This is most easily done by increasing the dietary addition of the trace-mineral 

premix (for example from 3 kg premix per 1000 kg diet to 3.75 kg premix per 1000 kg 

diet). Note that local regulations may limit the dietary content of individual trace minerals, 

which, in turn, may limit how much 'extra' trace-mineral premix can be added to the diet. 

The recommendations shown below are for inorganic source of trace minerals; the levels 

may be lowered if organic (chelated) trace minerals are used. Note that the bioavailability 

of individual trace minerals depends on the specific form in which they are fed (e.g., the 

iron in ferric oxide, Fe2O 3 , is completely unavailable, whereas the iron in ferrous sulfate, 

FeSO 4 , is highly available). 

In some cases, addition of the trace minerals manganese (Mn), zinc (Zn), and copper 

(Cu) from an organic (chelated) source may improve eggshell quality, especially mid to 

late lay. Organic selenium (Se) is recommended in all breeder diets to improve sperm 

mobility and, therefore, fertility. 

Jump to the table for 

Commercial pullets (growing period) 

Commercial laying hens (laying period) 

Breeders (parent stock) (growing and laying periods) 

See also the recommendations for vitamins. 

Recommendations for added trace minerals for commercial pullets 1 

Trace mineral Recommended minimum trace-mineral content in the 

complete diet 

Manganese (Mn), 

mg 

Zinc (Zn), mg 

Iron (Fe), mg 

Copper (Cu), mg 


88 

(88 ppm) 

88 

(88 ppm) 

55 

(55 ppm) 

11 

(11 ppm) 

1.7 

40 

40 

25 

5

Iodine (I), mg 

Selenium (Se), 

mg 

(1.7 ppm) 

0.30 

(0.30 ppm) 

1 Minimum recommendations for growing period. Local laws or regulations may limit the dietary inclusion of 

some trace minerals. 

0.8 

0.14 

Recommendations for added trace minerals for commercial laying 

hens 1 


complete diet 


mg 

Zinc (Zn), mg 

Iron (Fe), mg 




mg 


88 

(88 ppm) 

88 

(88 ppm) 

55 

(55 ppm) 

5.5 

(5.5 ppm) 

1.7 

(1.7 ppm) 

0.30 

(0.30 ppm) 

1 Minimum recommendations for laying period. Local laws or regulations may limit the dietary inclusion of 

some trace minerals. 

40 

40 

25 

2.5 

0.8 

0.14 

Recommendations for added trace minerals for breeding laying hens 1 


complete diet 


mg 

Zinc (Zn), mg 

Iron (Fe), mg 




83 

(83 ppm) 

83 

(83 ppm) 

66 

(66 ppm) 

19.3 

(19.3 ppm) 

2.2 

38 

38 

30 

8.8 

1.0


mg 

(2.2 ppm) 

0.30 

(0.30 ppm) 

1 Minimum recommendations for growing and laying periods. Local laws or regulations may limit the dietary 

inclusion of some trace minerals. 




0.14

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Vitamins 


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Brown 










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—— 





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Parent Stock 


W-36 Parent Stock growing period nutritional recommendations. 

W-36 Parent Stock laying period nutritional recommendations. 

W-36 Parent Stock suggested nutrition program for laying period. 

Download the combined W-36 Parent Stock performance and nutritionrecommendations 




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—— 





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Parent Stock 









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Parent Stock 


Hy-Line Brown Parent Stock growing period nutritional recommendations. 

Hy-Line Brown Parent Stock laying period nutritional recommendations. 

Hy-Line Brown Parent Stock suggested nutrition program for laying period. 

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Brown Parent Stock 


Hy-Line Silver Brown Parent Stock growing period nutritional recommendations. 

Hy-Line Silver Brown Parent Stock laying period nutritional recommendations. 

Hy-Line Silver Brown Parent Stock suggested nutrition program for laying period. 

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Performance Standards for Hy-Line W-36 

Capabilities of the Hy-Line W-36 (pdf, 14 kb) 


Laying period 

Target body weights (pdf, 14 kb). Updated January 2009. 

Feed consumption (pdf, 14 kb). Updated January 2009. 

Water consumption (pdf, 12 kb). Updated January 2009. 

Performance table (pdf, 26 kb). Updated January 2009. 

Performance graph (pdf, 73 kb). Updated January 2009. 


Egg-size distribution, US egg-size standards (pdf, 14 kb). Updated January 2009. 

Egg-size distribution, EU egg-size standards (pdf, 15 kb). Updated January 2009. 

Post-molt period 

Performance table, post-molt (pdf, 16 kb). Updated January 2009. 

Performance graph, post-molt (pdf, 148 kb). Updated January 2009. 

Combined performance and nutrition-recommendations tables 

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Performance Standards for Hy-Line W-98 

Capabilities of the Hy-Line W-98 (pdf, 14 kb) 


Laying period 

Target body weights (pdf, 12 kb). Updated August 2008. 

Feed consumption (pdf, 14 kb). Updated August 2008. 

Water consumption (pdf, 12 kb). Updated August 2008. 

Performance table (pdf, 27 kb). Updated August 2008. 

Performance graph (pdf, 73 kb). Updated August 2008. 

Water consumption (pdf, 12 kb). Updated August 2008. 

Egg-size distribution, US egg-size standards (pdf, 15 kb). Updated August 2008. 

Egg-size distribution, EU egg-size standards (pdf, 14 kb). Updated August 2008. 


Performance table, post-molt (pdf, 17 kb). Updated August 2008. 

Performance graph, post-molt (pdf, 146 kb). Updated August 2008. 


Download all Hy-Line W-98 tables combined for easy printing (pdf, 289 kb). 



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Performance Standards for Hy-Line Brown 

We are in the process of updating the performance standards for Hy-Line Brown. We will 

post the new standards here when they are available (expected before the end of June 

2010). In the meantime, please download the 2009 Hy-Line Brown management guide 

(pdf, 1.4 MB) for the 2009 performance standards. 

Capabilities of the Hy-Line Brown (pdf, 14 kb) [Link temporarily disabled; see text 

above.] 


Laying period 

Target body weights (pdf, 13 kb). Updated January 2009. [Link temporarily disabled; 

see text above.] 

Feed consumption (pdf, 13 kb). Updated January 2009. [Link temporarily disabled; 


Water consumption (pdf, 12 kb). Updated January 2009. [Link temporarily disabled; 


Performance table (pdf, 25 kb). Updated January 2009. [Link temporarily disabled; 


Performance graph (pdf, 521 kb). Updated January 2009. [Link temporarily disabled; 



[Link temporarily disabled; see text above.] 

Egg-size distribution, US egg-size standards (pdf, 13 kb). Updated January 2009. 

[Link temporarily disabled; see text above.] 


Performance table, post-molt (pdf, 16 kb). Updated January 2009. [Link temporarily 

disabled; see text above.] 

Performance graph, post-molt (pdf, 665 kb). Updated January 2009. [Link 

temporarily disabled; see text above.] 


Download all Hy-Line Brown tables combined for easy printing (pdf, 1243 kb). [Link 

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Performance Standards for Hy-Line Silver Brown 

Capabilities of the Hy-Line Silver Brown (pdf, 14 kb) 


Laying period 

Target body weights (pdf, 13 kb). Updated 2006. 

Feed consumption (pdf, 14 kb). Updated 2006. 

Water consumption (pdf, 12 kb). Updated 2006. 

Performance table (pdf, 24 kb). Updated 2006. 

Performance graph (pdf, 75 kb). Updated 2006. 

Water consumption (pdf, 12 kb). Updated 2006. 

Egg-size distribution, South African egg-size standards (pdf, 75 kb). Updated 2006. 


Download all Hy-Line Silver Brown tables combined for easy printing (pdf, 136 kb). 



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Performance Standards for Hy-Line Gray 

Capabilities of the Hy-Line Gray (pdf, 14 kb) 


Laying period 








Egg-size distribution, Japanese egg-size standards (pdf, 15 kb). Updated January 

2009. 


Download all Hy-Line Gray tables combined for easy printing (pdf, 148 kb). 



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Performance Standards for Hy-Line W-36 Parent 

Stock 

Capabilities of the Hy-Line W-36 Parent Stock (pdf, 14 kb) 


Laying period 









Download all Hy-Line W-36 Parent Stock tables combined for easy printing (pdf, 

256 kb). 



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—— 





Stock 



Performance Standards for Hy-Line W-98 Parent 

Stock 

Capabilities of the Hy-Line W-98 Parent Stock (pdf, 14 kb) 


Laying period 









Download all Hy-Line W-98 Parent Stock tables combined for easy printing (pdf, 

256 kb). 



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—— 





Stock 



Performance Standards for Hy-Line Brown Parent 

Stock 

Capabilities of the Hy-Line Brown Parent Stock (pdf, 14 kb) 


Laying period 









Download all Hy-Line Brown Parent Stock tables combined for easy printing (pdf, 

255 kb). 



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Performance Standards for Hy-Line Silver Brown 

Parent Stock 

Capabilities of the Hy-Line Silver Brown Parent Stock (pdf, 14 kb) 


Laying period 









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Lighting Programs 

Egg production is very closely related to the changes in day length. Body weight gain in 

grow, egg numbers, egg size, livability, and total profitability can be favorably influenced 

by a proper lighting program. 

When open-type houses are used, which allow natural daylight to affect the flock, the 

lighting program must be planned in conjunction with changes in the natural day length. 

Because no 2 places have the same sunrise-sunset times year-round, custom lighting 

programs for any location worldwide are available. Grandparent flocks can use the 

settings for parent flocks. 

The customizable lighting program is available in multiple languages and will create a 

downloadable spreadsheet with sunrise and sunset times for any location in the World 

and the lighting program for your flock. The following are screenshots from the lighting 

program (see also the section on Basic Rules of Lighting). 

Lighting program available in different languages for any location around the world. 

Example from the lighting program, showing weekly changes in artificial light (green bars) and natural light 

(black line) for a given location and time of year.

Example from the lighting program, showing the actual times for turning artificial lights on and off (as well as 

This page was last updated July 17, 2010 



local sunrise and sunset times).

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Health 







An optional lighting technique that will promote greater feed consumption is the 

"midnight feeding." The technique involves turning the lights on for 1 hour in the middle 

of the dark period and running the feeders during this time. 

Midnight-feeding lighting program. The dark periods should be at least 3 hours in duration. The 1 hour of 

light should be removed gradually when no longer needed (see text). 

Midnight feeding will generally increase feed intake about 2 to 5 g/day per bird (0.4 to 

1.1 lb/day per 100 birds). The technique is applicable for heat stress conditions, or any 

time a greater feed intake is desired in either growing or laying flocks. 

For a typical layer lighting program with 16 hours of light and 8 hours dark, the night 

would consist of 3.5 hours of darkness, 1 hour of light, and 3.5 hours of darkness. The 

regular 16 hour light period should not be changed (because the 1-hour midnightfeeding 

period is not long enough to count as "day light"). However, it is important that 

the dark periods sourrounding the 1-hour midnight-feeding period are at least 3 hours 

long. 

The 1 hour of light can be added all at once, but, when no longer necessary, should 

be removed gradually at the rate of 15 minutes per week. 



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41 

Ingredient (as-fed basis) Crude 

protein, 

% 

Lysine, % Methionine, % Cystine, % Threonine, % Tryptophan, % Arginine, % Isoleucine, % Valine, % 

Total content 

Digestibility 

Digestible content 

Total content 

Digestibility 


Total content 

Digestibility 


Alfalfa meal (17%), dehydrated 17.0 0.73 59 0.43 0.28 73 0.20 0.18 40 0.07 0.75 71 0.53 0.45 75 0.34 0.75 87 0.65 0.84 77 0.65 1.04 75 0.78 

Barley 11.5 0.53 88 0.47 0.18 88 0.16 0.25 88 0.22 0.36 85 0.31 0.17 69 0.12 0.50 85 0.43 0.42 90 0.38 0.62 85 0.53 

Canola meal (38%) 38.0 2.30 80 1.84 0.70 84 0.59 0.47 77 0.36 1.71 73 1.25 0.44 80 0.35 2.30 87 2.00 1.51 79 1.19 1.94 79 1.53 

Corn (maize) 7.9 0.24 92 0.22 0.18 94 0.17 0.18 87 0.16 0.29 85 0.25 0.07 81 0.06 0.40 93 0.37 0.29 95 0.28 0.42 92 0.39 

Corn DDGS 26.5 0.73 75 0.55 0.50 86 0.43 0.54 77 0.42 0.96 72 0.69 0.21 80 0.17 0.96 73 0.70 0.96 84 0.80 1.30 81 1.05 

Corn gluten feed (21%) 21.0 0.60 72 0.43 0.50 85 0.43 0.50 67 0.34 0.90 76 0.68 0.10 86 0.09 1.00 88 0.88 0.60 82 0.49 1.04 84 0.87 

Corn gluten meal (60%) 60.0 1.00 76 0.76 1.90 88 1.67 1.10 78 0.86 2.00 79 1.58 0.30 66 0.20 1.90 86 1.63 2.30 86 1.98 2.70 85 2.30 

Cottonseed meal (41%), mech. 41.0 1.52 65 0.99 0.55 72 0.40 0.59 74 0.44 1.30 68 0.88 0.50 80 0.40 4.33 88 3.81 1.31 71 0.93 1.84 74 1.36 

Cottonseed meal (41%), solv. 41.0 1.70 65 1.11 0.51 72 0.37 0.62 74 0.46 1.34 68 0.91 0.52 80 0.42 4.66 88 4.10 1.33 71 0.94 1.82 74 1.35 

DL-Methionine 58.1 – – – 99.00 100 99.00 – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – 

Fishmeal (62%), menhaden 62.0 4.70 86 4.04 1.70 86 1.46 0.50 71 0.36 2.75 80 2.20 0.50 78 0.39 3.65 82 2.99 2.40 85 2.04 2.80 83 2.32 

Fishmeal (65%), anchovy 65.0 4.90 86 4.21 1.90 86 1.63 0.60 71 0.43 2.70 80 2.16 0.75 78 0.59 3.38 82 2.77 3.00 85 2.55 3.40 83 2.82 

Flaxseed (linseed), whole 22.0 0.92 90 0.83 0.35 79 0.28 0.42 80 0.34 0.77 91 0.70 0.22 89 0.20 2.05 92 1.89 0.95 88 0.84 1.17 86 1.01 

Linseed (flax) meal (32%), exp. 32.0 1.10 87 0.96 0.47 82 0.39 0.56 73 0.41 1.10 – – 0.47 – – 2.60 95 2.47 1.70 86 1.46 1.50 83 1.25 

Linseed (flax) meal (33%), solv. 33.0 1.10 87 0.96 0.48 82 0.39 0.58 73 0.42 1.20 – – 0.48 – – 2.70 95 2.57 1.80 86 1.55 1.60 83 1.33 

L-Lysine·HCl 93.4 78.80 100 78.80 – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – 

L-Threonine 72.4 – – – – – – – – – 98.50 100 98.50 – – – – – – – – – – – – 

L-Tryptophan 84.0 – – – – – – – – – – – – 98.00 100 98.00 – – – – – – – – – 

Meat and bone meal (50%) 50.0 2.60 81 2.11 0.67 85 0.57 0.33 58 0.19 1.70 79 1.34 0.26 78 0.20 3.35 84 2.81 1.70 84 1.43 2.25 83 1.87 

Molasses, cane 2.9 – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – 

Oats 11.0 0.40 87 0.35 0.20 87 0.17 0.21 84 0.18 0.28 84 0.24 0.18 80 0.14 0.80 94 0.75 0.53 89 0.47 0.62 88 0.55 

Peanut meal (45%), mech. 45.0 1.55 76 1.18 0.41 86 0.35 0.68 79 0.54 1.40 85 1.19 0.46 87 0.40 4.70 91 4.28 1.80 89 1.60 2.60 89 2.31 

Peanut meal (48%), solv. 48.0 1.77 – – 0.42 – – 0.73 – – 1.16 – – 0.50 – – 4.55 – – 1.76 – – 1.88 – – 

Rapeseed meal (36%), solv. 36.0 2.12 80 1.70 0.67 84 0.56 0.54 77 0.42 1.60 73 1.17 0.46 80 0.37 2.04 87 1.77 1.41 79 1.11 1.81 79 1.43 

Rice 7.3 0.24 80 0.19 0.14 87 0.12 0.08 84 0.07 0.27 81 0.22 0.12 86 0.10 0.59 91 0.54 0.33 85 0.28 0.46 85 0.39 

Rice bran 13.5 0.50 74 0.37 0.17 77 0.13 0.10 68 0.07 0.40 69 0.28 0.10 79 0.08 0.45 86 0.39 0.39 75 0.29 0.60 75 0.45 

Rye 12.6 0.40 80 0.32 0.16 79 0.13 0.20 84 0.17 0.36 78 0.28 0.14 81 0.11 0.50 84 0.42 0.53 81 0.43 0.62 81 0.50 

Safflower meal (20%), exp. 20.0 0.70 82 0.57 0.40 85 0.34 0.50 77 0.39 0.47 73 0.34 0.30 79 0.24 1.20 84 1.01 0.28 80 0.22 1.00 81 0.81 

Safflower meal (22%), solv. 22.0 0.70 82 0.57 0.33 85 0.28 0.35 77 0.27 0.50 73 0.37 0.26 79 0.21 1.90 84 1.60 0.27 80 0.22 1.00 81 0.81 

Sesame meal (42%), exp. 42.0 1.37 82 1.12 1.48 84 1.24 0.60 84 0.50 1.71 79 1.35 0.82 84 0.69 5.06 84 4.25 2.28 87 1.98 2.53 88 2.23 

Sorghum, milo 11.0 0.27 90 0.24 0.10 89 0.09 0.20 79 0.16 0.27 83 0.22 0.09 87 0.08 0.40 88 0.35 0.60 90 0.54 0.53 87 0.46 

Soybean meal (42%), exp. 42.0 2.70 91 2.45 0.60 91 0.54 0.62 82 0.51 1.70 84 1.43 0.58 88 0.51 3.20 91 2.92 2.80 91 2.55 2.20 89 1.96 

Soybean meal (44%), solv. 44.0 2.90 90 2.61 0.65 91 0.59 0.67 82 0.55 1.70 85 1.45 0.60 89 0.53 3.40 93 3.16 2.50 89 2.23 2.40 88 2.11 

Soybean meal (48%), solv. 47.8 3.02 90 2.72 0.70 91 0.64 0.71 82 0.58 2.00 85 1.70 0.70 89 0.62 3.60 93 3.35 2.60 89 2.31 2.70 88 2.38 

Soybeans, full-fat, cooked 38.0 2.40 87 2.09 0.54 88 0.48 0.55 79 0.43 1.69 82 1.39 0.52 86 0.45 2.80 90 2.52 2.18 86 1.87 2.02 85 1.72 

Sunflower meal (41%), exp. 41.0 2.00 87 1.74 1.60 92 1.47 0.80 80 0.64 1.60 82 1.31 0.60 87 0.52 4.20 83 3.49 2.40 89 2.14 2.40 87 2.09 

Sunflower meal (42%), solv. 42.0 1.70 87 1.48 1.50 92 1.38 0.70 80 0.56 1.50 82 1.23 0.50 87 0.44 3.50 93 3.26 2.10 89 1.87 2.30 87 2.00 

Wheat bran 14.8 0.60 73 0.44 0.20 80 0.16 0.30 74 0.22 0.48 74 0.36 0.30 82 0.25 1.07 82 0.88 0.60 79 0.47 0.70 77 0.54 

Wheat middlings 15.0 0.70 80 0.56 0.12 86 0.10 0.19 74 0.14 0.50 73 0.37 0.20 79 0.16 1.00 80 0.80 0.70 82 0.57 0.80 77 0.62 

Wheat, hard 13.5 0.40 86 0.34 0.25 91 0.23 0.30 90 0.27 0.35 87 0.30 0.18 86 0.15 0.60 85 0.51 0.69 94 0.65 0.69 90 0.62 

Wheat, soft 10.8 0.30 86 0.26 0.14 91 0.13 0.20 90 0.18 0.28 78 0.22 0.12 86 0.10 0.40 85 0.34 0.43 94 0.40 0.48 90 0.43 

Nutrient recommendations (pages 23– 

26) are based on calculations using these nutrient values (source: Feedstuffs Magazine). 

Amino acid digestibility is standardized (true) ileal digestibility (Source: Evonik-Degussa). 

Total content 

Digestibility 


Total content 

Digestibility 


Total content 

Digestibility 


Total content 

Digestibility 


Total content 

Digestibility 

Digestible content

Ingredient (as-fed basis) 

Dry matter, % 

Crude protein, % 

Fat (ether extract), % 

Crude fiber, % 

Calcium, % 

Alfalfa meal (17%), dehydrated 93.0 17.0 3.0 24.0 1.30 0.23 0.23 0.08 0.47 2.40 0.21 672 1482 6.20 – 1515 

Barley 89.0 11.5 1.9 5.0 0.08 0.42 0.15 0.03 0.14 0.56 0.15 1250 2756 11.54 – 1027 

Calcium carbonate (38% Ca) 99.5 – – – 38.00 – – 0.06 – 0.06 – – – – – – 

Canola meal (38%) 91.0 38.0 3.8 11.1 0.68 1.17 0.30 – – 1.29 1.00 960 2117 8.86 – 6701 

Canola oil 99.0 – 99.0 – – – – – – – – 4000 8820 36.92 20.50 – 

Corn (maize) 87.0 7.9 3.5 1.9 0.01 0.25 0.09 0.02 0.04 0.30 0.08 1540 3396 14.21 1.75 1103 

Corn DDGS 89.0 26.5 10.1 7.0 0.07 0.77 0.48 0.20 0.16 0.85 0.84 1256 2770 11.60 5.05 3254 

Corn gluten feed (21%) 88.0 21.0 2.0 10.0 0.20 0.90 0.22 0.15 0.22 1.30 0.16 795 1753 7.34 – 2420 

Corn gluten meal (60%) 90.0 60.0 2.0 2.5 0.02 0.50 0.18 0.03 0.05 0.45 0.50 1700 3749 15.69 – 2200 

Cottonseed meal (41%), mech. 91.0 41.0 3.9 12.6 0.17 0.97 0.32 0.04 0.04 1.20 0.40 955 2106 8.81 – 2808 

Cottonseed meal (41%), solv. 90.0 41.0 2.1 11.3 0.16 1.00 0.32 0.04 0.04 1.16 0.30 915 2018 8.45 – 2706 

Dicalcium phosphate (18.5% P) 99.5 – – – 22.00 18.50 18.50 0.08 – 0.07 – – – – – – 

DL-Methionine 99.5 58.1 – – – – – – – – – 2277 5020 21.01 – – 

Fat, animal 99.0 – 98.0 – – – – – – – – 3600 7938 33.23 – – 

Fat, animal-vegetable blend 98.0 – 92.0 – – – – – – – – 3800 8379 35.07 30.00 – 

Fat, vegetable 99.0 – 99.0 – – – – – – – – 4000 8820 36.92 40.00 – 

Fishmeal (62%), menhaden 92.0 62.0 9.2 1.0 4.80 3.00 3.00 0.68 0.80 0.96 0.45 1340 2955 12.37 – 3081 

Fishmeal (65%), anchovy 91.0 65.0 10.0 1.0 4.00 2.85 2.85 0.88 0.60 0.90 0.54 1280 2822 11.81 – 5101 

Flaxseed (linseed), whole 92.0 22.0 34.0 6.5 0.25 0.50 – 0.08 – 1.50 – 1795 3958 16.57 54.00 3150 

Linseed (flax) meal (32%), exp. 90.0 32.0 3.5 9.5 0.40 0.80 – 0.11 – 1.24 0.39 700 1544 6.46 – 1672 

Linseed (flax) meal (33%), solv. 88.0 33.0 0.5 9.5 0.35 0.75 – 0.14 – 1.38 0.39 635 1400 5.86 – 1760 

L-Lysine·HCl 99.5 93.4 – – – – – – – – – 1868 4120 17.25 – – 

L-Threonine 99.5 72.4 – – – – – – – – – 1619 3570 14.94 – – 

L-Tryptophan 95.0 84.0 – – – – – – – – – 2653 5850 24.49 – – 

Meat and bone meal (50%) 93.0 50.0 8.5 2.8 9.20 4.70 4.70 0.73 0.75 1.40 0.40 1150 2536 10.61 – 2000 

Molasses, cane 74.0 2.9 – – 0.82 0.08 – 0.16 2.80 2.38 0.35 900 1985 8.31 – 660 

Mono-dicalcium phosphate (21% P) 99.5 – – – 16.00 21.00 – 0.05 – 0.06 – – – – – – 

Oats 90.0 11.0 4.0 10.5 0.10 0.35 0.14 0.07 0.12 0.37 0.21 1160 2558 10.71 – 1070 

Peanut meal (45%), mech. 92.0 45.0 5.0 12.0 0.15 0.55 0.18 – 0.03 1.15 0.28 – – – – 1540 

Peanut meal (48%), solv. 92.0 48.0 1.5 6.8 0.29 0.65 0.21 0.07 0.03 1.23 0.30 1000 2205 9.23 – 1948 

Rapeseed meal (36%), solv. 92.0 36.0 2.6 13.2 0.66 0.93 0.30 0.09 – – – 805 1775 7.43 – 6714 

Rice 89.0 7.3 1.7 10.0 0.04 0.26 0.09 0.04 0.06 0.34 0.10 1335 2944 12.32 – 1014 

Rice bran 91.0 13.5 5.9 13.0 0.10 1.70 0.24 0.10 0.07 1.35 0.18 925 2040 8.54 – 1390 

Rye 89.0 12.6 1.9 2.8 0.08 0.30 0.10 0.02 0.06 0.46 0.15 1230 2712 11.35 – – 

Safflower meal (20%), exp. 91.0 20.0 6.6 32.2 0.23 0.61 0.20 0.05 0.16 0.72 0.10 525 1158 4.85 – 800 

Safflower meal (22%), solv. 90.0 22.0 0.5 37.0 0.34 0.84 0.23 0.05 0.16 0.72 0.10 680 1499 6.28 – 800 

Salt, NaCl 99.6 – – – – – – 39.34 60.66 – – – – – – – 

Sesame meal (42%), exp. 94.0 42.0 7.0 6.5 2.00 1.30 0.24 0.04 0.06 1.39 0.40 1025 2260 9.46 – 1690 

Sodium bicarbonate, NaHCO 3 99.0 – – – – – – 27.38 – – – – – – – – 

Sorghum, milo 89.0 11.0 2.8 2.0 0.04 0.29 0.10 0.03 0.09 0.34 0.09 1505 3319 13.89 – 678 

Soybean meal (42%), exp. 89.0 42.0 3.5 6.5 0.20 0.60 0.20 0.04 0.02 1.71 0.33 1100 2426 10.15 – 2673 

Soybean meal (44%), solv. 90.0 44.0 0.5 7.0 0.25 0.60 0.20 0.04 0.02 1.97 0.43 1020 2249 9.41 – 2743 

Soybean meal (48%), solv. 88.0 47.8 1.0 3.0 0.20 0.65 0.21 0.04 0.02 1.90 0.43 1125 2481 10.38 – 2851 

Soybean oil 99.0 – 99.0 – – – – – – – – 4000 8820 36.92 40.00 – 

Soybeans, full-fat, cooked 90.0 38.0 18.0 5.0 0.25 0.59 0.20 0.04 0.03 1.70 0.30 1520 3352 14.03 – 2420 

Sunflower meal (41%), exp. 93.0 41.0 7.6 13.0 0.43 1.00 0.25 0.20 0.01 1.00 – 1050 2315 9.69 – – 

Sunflower meal (42%), solv. 93.0 42.0 2.3 13.0 0.40 1.00 0.25 0.20 0.01 1.00 – 800 1764 7.38 – 2901 

Wheat bran 89.0 14.8 4.0 10.0 0.14 1.17 0.38 0.06 0.14 1.20 0.22 590 1301 5.45 – 980 

Wheat middlings 89.0 15.0 3.6 8.5 0.15 0.91 0.28 0.06 0.07 0.60 0.16 950 2095 8.77 – 1100 

Wheat, hard 88.0 13.5 1.9 3.0 0.05 0.41 0.12 0.06 0.07 0.50 0.10 1440 3175 13.29 – 778 

Wheat, soft 86.0 10.8 1.7 2.8 0.05 0.30 0.11 0.06 0.07 0.40 0.10 1460 3219 13.48 – 778 

Nutrient recommendations (pages 23– 

26) 

are based on calculations using these energy and nutrient values (source: Feedstuffs Magazine). 

40 

Phosphorus, total, % 

Phosphorus, avail., % 

Sodium, % 

Chloride, % 

Potassium, % 

Sulfur, % 

ME, kcal/lb 

ME, kcal/kg 

ME, MJ/kg 

Linoleic acid, % 

Choline, mg/kg

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W-36 Growing period nutritional recommendations 

The table below shows the growing-period nutritional recommendations. See also the 

Feeding the Pullet section for information of how to implement the growing-period 

recommendations. The sections on Monitoring Body Weight and Body Weight Uniformity 

are also of importance. 

Hy-Line W-36 growing period nutritional recommendations. 

Item 1 

Feed to a body weight of, 

grams 

Starter 

1 

Starter 

2 

Grower Developer 

Prelay 

6 

170 410 940 1160 1240 

Approximate age, weeks 0-3 4-6 7-12 13-15 16-17 


Metabolizable energy, 

kcal/lb 


kcal/kg 


MJ/kg 

1350-1400 1350-1400 1350-1400 1350-1420 1320- 

1340 

2975-3085 2975-3085 2975-3085 2975-3130 2910- 

2950 

12.45- 

12.90 



12.45- 

12.90 

12.45- 

12.90 

12.45-13.10 12.20- 

12.35 

Lysine, % 1.05 0.98 0.88 0.76 0.78 

Methionine, % 0.47 0.44 0.40 0.36 0.38 

Methionine + cystine, % 0.74 0.74 0.67 0.59 0.66 

Threonine, % 0.69 0.66 0.60 0.52 0.55 

Tryptophan, % 0.18 0.18 0.17 0.15 0.16 

Arginine, % 1.12 1.05 0.94 0.81 0.83

Isoleucine, % 0.74 0.71 0.65 0.57 0.62 

Valine, % 0.76 0.73 0.69 0.61 0.66 


Lysine, % 1.15 1.07 0.96 0.83 0.85 

Methionine, % 0.51 0.47 0.44 0.38 0.41 


Threonine, % 0.82 0.77 0.70 0.62 0.64 

Tryptophan, % 0.21 0.21 0.20 0.18 0.20 

Arginine, % 1.21 1.13 1.01 0.87 0.90 

Isoleucine, % 0.79 0.76 0.70 0.61 0.67 

Valine, % 0.83 0.80 0.76 0.67 0.73 

Crude protein (N × 6.25), 3 

% 20 19 18 17 17 

Calcium, 4 % 1.0 1.0 1.0 1.0-1.4 2.5 


Sodium (Na), % 0.18 0.18 0.18 0.18 0.18 

Chloride, % 0.18 0.18 0.18 0.18 0.18 

Linoleic acid (C18:2 n-6), % 1.0 1.0 1.0 1.0 1.0 

1 Change diet at the recommended target body weight—the approximate age is a guide only. 

2 Differences in the metabolizable energy value assigned to feed ingredients of the same name can differ 


adjusted accordingly (see the Energy section). 



4Calcium should be supplied as a fine calcium carbonate source (mean particle size less than 2 mm). It can 

be supplied as a 50:50 mix of fine and coarse (mean diameter 2-4 mm) in the pre-lay diet. See also 

information about the pre-lay diet in the Feeding the Pullet section). 




6Do not feed the pre-lay diet beyond the first egg as this diet does not contain sufficient calcium to sustain 

egg production. 



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W-36 Laying period nutritional recommendations 

The nutrient recommendations are based on supplying a given amount (in grams or 

milligrams) of nutrients per day (Table 1). To convert these absolute values into a 

percentage of the diet, one must know the feed intake (Tables 2 to 5) in order to 

formulate the laying-hen diets according to the observed feed intake to ensure the daily 

consumption of the recommended grams or milligrams of nutrients. See also the Feeding 

the Laying Hen and the Suggested Nutrition Program sections for information of how to 

implement the laying-period recommendations. 

Table 1. Hy-Line W-36 laying period nutritional recommendations. 

Item 

1 Peaking Above 92% to 

87% egg 

production 

Approximate 

age, weeks 

Point-oflay 

to 32 


Metabolizable 

energy, kcal/lb 

Metabolizable 

energy, kcal/kg 

Metabolizable 

energy, MJ/kg 

1290- 

1340 

2845- 

2955 

11.90- 

12.35 

Minimum recommended consumption 


86-82% egg 

production 

Less than 82% 


33-44 45-58 59+ 

1290-1335 1280-1325 1270-1290 

2845-2945 2820-2920 2800-2845 

11.90-12.30 11.80-12.20 11.70-11.90 

Lysine, mg/day 805 750 710 695 

Methionine, 

mg/day 

Methionine + 

cystine, mg/day 

394 368 348 334 

676 630 596 570

Threonine, 

mg/day 

Tryptophan, 

mg/day 

564 525 497 487 

169 158 149 146 

Arginine, mg/day 861 803 760 744 

Isoleucine, 

mg/day 

636 593 561 549 

Valine, mg/day 725 675 639 626 


Lysine, mg/day 881 821 777 761 

Methionine, 

mg/day 

Methionine + 


Threonine, 

mg/day 

Tryptophan, 

mg/day 

424 395 374 359 

763 711 673 643 

663 618 585 572 

202 188 178 174 


Isoleucine, 

mg/day 

684 637 603 590 

Valine, mg/day 799 744 705 690 

Crude protein (N 

× 6.25), 3 g/day 17 16 15 15 

Calcium, 4 g/day 4.00 4.20 4.35 4.50 

Phosphorus 

(available), 5 

mg/day 

Sodium (Na), 

mg/day 

500 480 460 400 

180 180 180 180 

Chloride, mg/day 180 180 180 180 

Linoleic acid 

(C18:2 n-6), 

g/day 

1.0 1.0 1.0 1.0 

Choline, mg/day 100 100 100 100 

1 Consumption of balanced protein, fat, linoleic acid may be changed to optimize egg weight. See also the 

Nutrition and Egg Weight section. 

2The recommended energy range is based on the energy values shown for the individual feed ingredients. 



adjusted accordingly (see the Energy section). As a general rule, the higher energy concentrations shown are


3 The minimum recommendations for total amino acids and crude protein are only appropriate with a corn 


4 Approximately 65% of the added calcium carbonate (limestone) should be in particle sizes of 2-4 mm. See 

also the Nutrition and Eggshell Quality section. 

5 Digestible phosphorus is sometimes preferred over available phoshporus. However, there are insufficient 



Table 2. Peaking; point-of-lay to 32 weeks of age. 1 

Recommended energy concentration: 2 1290-1340 kcal/lb, 2845-2955 kcal/kg, 11.90-12.35 

MJ/kg 




Lysine, % 1.09 1.02 0.96 0.90 0.86 

Methionine, % 0.53 0.50 0.47 0.44 0.42 


Threonine, % 0.76 0.71 0.67 0.63 0.60 

Tryptophan, % 0.23 0.21 0.20 0.19 0.18 

Arginine, % 1.16 1.09 1.03 0.97 0.92 

Isoleucine, % 0.86 0.81 0.76 0.71 0.68 

Valine, % 0.98 0.92 0.86 0.81 0.77 


Lysine, % 1.19 1.12 1.05 0.99 0.94 

Methionine, % 0.57 0.54 0.50 0.48 0.45 


Threonine, % 0.90 0.84 0.79 0.74 0.71 

Tryptophan, % 0.27 0.26 0.24 0.23 0.21 

Arginine, % 1.25 1.17 1.10 1.04 0.99 

Isoleucine, % 0.92 0.87 0.81 0.77 0.73 

Valine, % 1.08 1.01 0.95 0.90 0.85 

Crude protein (N × 6.25), 3 % 21.6 20.3 19.0 18.0 17.0 

Calcium, 4 % 5.41 5.06 4.76 4.49 4.26 


Sodium (Na), % 0.24 0.23 0.21 0.20 0.19 

Chloride, % 0.24 0.23 0.21 0.20 0.19



1Consumption of balanced protein, fat, linoleic acid may be changed to optimize egg weight. See also the 









4Approximately 65% of the added calcium carbonate (limestone) should be in particle sizes of 2-4 mm. See 





Table 3. Above 92% to 87% egg production; 33-44 weeks of age. 1 


MJ/kg 




Lysine, % 0.88 0.83 0.79 0.75 0.71 

Methionine, % 0.43 0.41 0.39 0.37 0.35 


Threonine, % 0.62 0.58 0.55 0.53 0.50 

Tryptophan, % 0.19 0.18 0.17 0.16 0.15 

Arginine, % 0.94 0.89 0.85 0.80 0.78 

Isoleucine, % 0.70 0.66 0.62 0.59 0.56 

Valine, % 0.79 0.75 0.71 0.68 0.64 


Lysine, % 0.97 0.91 0.86 0.82 0.78 

Methionine, % 0.46 0.44 0.42 0.40 0.38 


Threonine, % 0.73 0.69 0.65 0.62 0.59 

Tryptophan, % 0.22 0.21 0.20 0.19 0.18 

Arginine, % 1.02 0.96 0.91 0.86 0.82 

Isoleucine, % 0.75 0.71 0.67 0.64 0.61 

Valine, % 0.88 0.83 0.78 0.74 0.71


Calcium, 4 % 4.94 4.67 4.42 4.20 4.00 


Sodium (Na), % 0.21 0.20 0.19 0.18 0.17 

Chloride, % 0.21 0.20 0.19 0.18 0.17 

















Table 4. 86-82% egg production; 45-58 weeks of age. 1 


MJ/kg 




Lysine, % 0.84 0.79 0.75 0.71 0.68 

Methionine, % 0.41 0.39 0.37 0.35 0.33 


Threonine, % 0.58 0.55 0.52 0.50 0.47 

Tryptophan, % 0.18 0.17 0.16 0.15 0.14 

Arginine, % 0.89 0.84 0.80 0.76 0.72 

Isoleucine, % 0.66 0.62 0.59 0.56 0.53 

Valine, % 0.75 0.71 0.67 0.64 0.61 


Lysine, % 0.91 0.86 0.82 0.78 0.74 

Methionine, % 0.44 0.42 0.39 0.37 0.36


Threonine, % 0.69 0.65 0.62 0.59 0.56 

Tryptophan, % 0.21 0.20 0.19 0.18 0.17 

Arginine, % 0.96 0.91 0.86 0.82 0.78 

Isoleucine, % 0.71 0.67 0.63 0.60 0.57 

Valine, % 0.83 0.78 0.74 0.71 0.67 


Calcium, 4 % 5.12 4.83 4.58 4.35 4.14 


Sodium (Na), % 0.21 0.20 0.19 0.18 0.17 

Chloride, % 0.21 0.20 0.19 0.18 0.17 

















Table 5. Less than 82% egg production; 59+ weeks of age. 1 


MJ/kg 




Lysine, % 0.84 0.79 0.75 0.71 0.67 

Methionine, % 0.40 0.38 0.36 0.34 0.32 


Threonine, % 0.59 0.55 0.52 0.50 0.47 

Tryptophan, % 0.18 0.17 0.16 0.15 0.14 

Arginine, % 0.90 0.85 0.80 0.76 0.72

Isoleucine, % 0.66 0.62 0.59 0.56 0.53 

Valine, % 0.75 0.71 0.67 0.64 0.61 


Lysine, % 0.92 0.86 0.82 0.78 0.74 

Methionine, % 0.43 0.41 0.39 0.37 0.35 


Threonine, % 0.69 0.65 0.62 0.58 0.56 

Tryptophan, % 0.21 0.20 0.19 0.18 0.17 

Arginine, % 0.96 0.91 0.86 0.82 0.78 

Isoleucine, % 0.71 0.67 0.63 0.60 0.57 

Valine, % 0.83 0.78 0.74 0.70 0.67 


Calcium, 4 % 5.42 5.11 4.84 4.59 4.37 


Sodium (Na), % 0.22 0.20 0.19 0.18 0.17 

Chloride, % 0.22 0.20 0.19 0.18 0.17 



















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Suggested Nutrition Program for Hy-Line W-36 








Download the suggested W-36 nutrition program for easy printing (pdf, 1.6 MB) 

The following nutrition program is a suggested nutrition program. There are many 

programs that work well—the one shown below is only one of them and can be adapted 

for individual farms taking into considerations local conditions and economic goals. It is 

strongly recommended that a professional nutritionist be consulted to determine the 

nutrition program that works best for the individual farm. 

For the Hy-Line W-36, the following suggested diet program is used with success 

worldwide and follows the principle of feeding for the observed feed intake and desired 

production. Feeding according to this or a similar program ensures a high peak egg 

production, an excellent persistence of lay, and a highly profitable business. Note that 

the diets should be formulated for the actual, observed feed intakes, which may be 

different from the feed intakes shown in this example. 

The first diet that is fed as the hens start laying eggs is critical to sustain body weight 

gain and the high demands of egg production. Remember that even though the whole 

flock's egg production is, say 50%, the hens that are laying eggs produce 1 egg per day 

(corresponding to 100% egg production for the individual hen). Therefore, it is 

recommended to start feeding a fairly concentrated diet (i.e., formulated for a relatively 

low feed intake) to supply the needed energy and nutrients to meet the dietary demands 

of the hens that are laying and then change to a less concentrated diet as soon as the 

feed intake has increased.

Development of feed intake with age and suggested diet phases 

according to the above-mentioned nutrition program and the diet matrix shown in the text below. 

Diet 1 (approximately 18 to 26 weeks of age) 

Diet 1 is fed from start of lay at approximately 18 weeks of age. At this time, the feed 

intake is relatively low, but rapidly increasing. Accordingly, the diet is formulated for a 

relatively low feed intake of about 82 to 84 g/day—or as low as economically and 

practically feasible (the exact feed-intake value should be determined by the local 

nutritionist and depends in part on the individual farm and economics). The diet is fed 

until the observed feed consumption reaches about 90 g/day, which typically occurs 

around 26 to 27 weeks of age. 

Because of the relatively low (but increasing) feed intake at this time, the diet should be 

fairly concentrated, often necessitating relatively high inclusion levels of oil, digestible 

amino acids, calcium, and available phosphorus. Because of the high nutrient density of 

Diet 1, the diet appears expensive when compared on a price per 1000 kg basis. 

However, the diet is only fed for a short time and only little of the diet is consumed 

because of the relatively low feed intake during this time. Therefore, the actual cost of 

feeding Diet 1 is low and, importantly, ensures adequate energy and nutrient intake to 

ensure a high peak and prevents depletion of body reserves. 


When the flock's feed intake has increased to about 90 g/day, Diet 1 can be 

reformulated to take advantage of the now higher feed intake. Diet 2 should be 

formulated to deliver the same kilocalories (or megajoules) of energy and milligrams or 

grams of nutrients as Diet 1. That means that Diet 2 is less concentrated (because of 

the higher feed intake) and, therefore, less expensive. The diet is fed until the feed 

intake is 95 g/day. 

Diets 3, 4, 5, 6, etc. (approximately 37+ weeks of age) 

The next diet is formulated for a feed intake of about 95 g/day, which typically occurs 

around 36 to 37 weeks of age, and is therefore slightly less concentrated than Diet 2. 

The feed intake of the Hy-Line W-36 does not change much after this time, so 

subsequent diet changes are governed mainly by controlling egg weight, maintaining 

eggshell quality, and reducing diet cost (the latter as the hens' energy and nutrient needs

decrease). That said, these diets should be reformulated to avoid under- or over-feeding 

the hens if the feed intake changes. 

Diet matrix 

When diets are formulated to the aforementioned principles of observed feed intake and 

desired production, a "diet matrix" can be constructed, illustrated in the table below. The 

diets are formulated for age (or, more appropriately, hen-day egg production) and, within 

each phase, for observed feed intake. With this set of diets, the farm manager can select 

and order an appropriate feed from the feed mill every time a new load of feed is 

needed. Each feed matches the feed intake and provides exactly the recommended 

grams or milligrams of nutrients (i.e., birds are not under- or over-fed, which would 

otherwise result in loss of profits). Note that not all of the diets are necessarily fed, but 

are available if the hens' feed intake changes because of hot or cold weather or other 

reasons. The number of diets also ensures that the differences among the diets are 

relatively small, which helps avoid decreases in egg production that can otherwise occur 

with abrupt diet changes. 

Suggested diet matrix for Hy-Line W-36. 1,2 The matrix is intended for a flock 

that normally consumes approximately 95 g feed per day post-peak. In warmer climates, 

the normal postpeak feed intake may be closer to 90 g/day and closer to 100 g/day in 

cooler climates in which case the matrix should be adjusted accordingly. 

Age 

Observed feed intake 2 

84 g/day 90 g/day 95 g/day 100 g/day 

18-32 weeks Diet 1 Diet 2 

33-42 weeks Diet 3 Diet 4 Diet 5 


54+ weeks Diet 9 Diet 10 Diet 11 

1Note that, in most cases, only 5 diets are fed through the first lay cycle (i.e., the yellow highlighted Diets 1, 

2, 4, 7, and 10) because once the feed intake has stabilized (typically at 95 g/day), it does not change much. 

However, Diets 3, 6, and 9 as well as Diets 5, 8, and 11 are available from the feed mill in case the feed 

intake decreases or increases, respectively. 

2The matrix should be adjusted according to actual feed intakes, which may differ from those shown. 

The diet matrix shown above gives the farm manager 11 diets to choose from. However, 

only 4 to 5 of those diets are used under normal conditions: 

Diet 1 because of the relatively low feed intake and the importance of providing the 

hen with adequate nutrition during this period; 

Diet 2 because it is more economical to feed than Diet 1 once the feed intake has 

increased; and 

Diets 4, 7, and 10 to control egg weight and eggshell quality. 

Diets 3, 6, and 9 as well as Diets 5, 8, and 11 may never need to be fed, but are available 

from the feed mill in case the feed intake decreases or increases, respectively. These diets 

may only have to be fed for a short time until the feed intake returns to the "normal" 95 

g/day again.

Hy-Line International Red Book 

Growing Period (to 17 weeks): 


Capabilities of the Hy-Line W-36 

Livability 97% 

Feed Consumed 5.21 kg (11.5 lb) 

Body Weight at 17 Weeks 1.24 kg (2.7 lb) 

Laying Period (to 110 weeks): 

Percent Peak 93–94% 

Hen-Day Eggs to 60 Weeks 240–250 



Hen-Housed Eggs to 60 Weeks 236–246 



Livability to 60 Weeks 96% 


Days to 50% Production (from hatch) 146 

Egg Weight at 26 Weeks 54.9 g/egg (43.6 lb/case) 




Total Egg Mass per Hen-Day (18—80 weeks) 20.8 kg (45.9 lb) 

Total Egg Mass per Hen-Housed (18–80 weeks) 20.2 kg (44.6 lb) 



Shell Strength Excellent 

Haugh Units at 38 Weeks 91 



Percent Solids at 38 Weeks 24.6 



Average Daily Feed Consumption (18–80 weeks) 91 g/day per bird (20.1 lb/day per 100 birds) 

Feed Conversion Rate, kg Feed/kg Eggs or lb Feed/lb Eggs (21–60 weeks) 1.82 


Feed Utilization, kg Egg/kg Feed or lb Egg/lb Feed (21–60 weeks) 0.55 


Feed per Dozen Eggs (21–60 weeks) 1.29 kg (2.84 lb) 


Condition of Droppings Dry 


Performance Standards—2009 

The genetic potential of Hy-Line varieties can only be realized if good poultry husbandry practices and management are used. The above information is based on fi eld experience 

compiled by Hy-Line, extensive commercial fl ock records cataloged by Hy-Line from all parts of the world and principles taken from industry technical literature. It should be used 

for guidance and educational purposes only, recognizing that local environmental and disease conditions may vary and a handout cannot cover all possible circumstances. 

This page was last updated May 2010


Target Weights of Hy-Line W-36 Pullets 

—Growing Period— 

Age Body Weight* 

Weeks g lb 

1 65 0.14 

2 110 0.24 

3 170 0.37 

4 250 0.55 

5 320 0.71 

6 410 0.90 

7 500 1.10 

8 590 1.30 

9 690 1.52 

10 790 1.74 

11 870 1.92 

12 940 2.07 

13 1020 2.25 

14 1090 2.40 

15 1160 2.56 

16 1200 2.65 

17** 1240 2.73 

18 1270 2.80 

* Pullets grown on the fl oor, or in a tropical climate, can be 50 g (0.1 lb) lighter than shown. 

** Move to Lay House 









Growing Period Feed Consumption*—W-36 

Age in Daily Cumulative 



weeks g/day per bird lb/day per 100 birds g to date lb to date 

1 13 2.80 89 0.20 

2 16 3.50 200 0.44 

3 19 4.20 333 0.74 

4 29 6.30 533 1.18 

5 38 8.40 800 1.76 

6 41 8.97 1085 2.39 

7 43 9.45 1385 3.05 

8 46 10.10 1706 3.76 

9 48 10.60 2042 4.50 

10 51 11.20 2398 5.29 

11 53 11.60 2766 6.10 

12 54 12.00 3147 6.94 

13 56 12.30 3538 7.80 

14 57 12.60 3938 8.68 

15 59 13.00 4351 9.59 

16 61 13.40 4776 10.53 

17 62 13.70 5211 11.49 

* Pullets feed consumption varies with feed formulation and environmental temperatures. 







Water Consumption for Hy-Line W-36 Pullets and Layers 

Water Consumed per 100 Birds per Day 

Chicks should consume 0.83 liters (0.22 gallons) per 100 birds on day one of age. 

Age in Weeks Liters Gallons 

1 

2 

3 

4 

5 

6 

7 

8 

9 

10–15 

16–20 

21–25* 

Over 25* 

* Higher temperatures tend to elevate water consumption by 1.9 liters (0.5 gallons) per 100 birds. 

0.8–1.1 0.20–0.30 

1.1–1.9 0.30–0.50 

1.7–2.7 0.45–0.70 

2.5–3.8 0.65–1.00 

3.4–4.7 0.90–1.25 

4.5–5.7 1.20–1.50 

5.7–6.8 1.50–1.80 

6.1–8.0 1.60–2.10 

6.4–9.5 1.70–2.50 

6.8–10.2 1.80–2.70 

7.2–15.2 1.90–4.00 

9.9–18.2 2.60–4.80 

15.2–20.8 4.00–5.50 









Age 

in 

Weeks 

Curr. 

under Opt. 

Conditions 

% Hen-Day Mortality 

Curr. 

under Avg. 

Conditions 

% 

Cum. 


Cum. 

under Opt. 

Conditions 

Hen-Day 

Eggs 

Cum. 

under Avg. 

Conditions 

Hy-Line W-36 Performance Table 

Cum. 

under Opt. 

Conditions 

Hen-Housed 

Eggs 

Cum. 

under Avg. 

Conditions 

Body Weight Average 

Egg Weight* 

kg lb g/egg 

Net lb/ 

30 doz 

case 

% 

Grade A 

Large and 

Above 

23 oz/doz 

Feed 

Consumption 

g/day 

per 

bird 

lb/day 

per 100 

birds 

Hen-Housed 

Egg Mass 

Cum. 

kg lb 



18 0 1 0.04 0.0 0.1 0.0 0.1 1.27 2.80 43.2 34.2 - 64 14.1 0.00 0.01 98.0 22.4 4280 

19 4 3 0.1 0.3 0.3 0.3 0.3 1.30 2.87 44.3 35.2 1 65 14.3 0.01 0.03 97.8 22.5 4270 

20 21 15 0.1 1.8 1.4 1.7 1.4 1.35 2.98 45.8 36.4 2 67 14.8 0.1 0.1 97.6 22.9 4260 

21 55 38 0.2 5.6 4.0 5.6 4.0 1.40 3.09 47.4 37.6 6 69 15.3 0.2 0.4 97.2 23.1 4250 

22 78 62 0.3 11.1 8.3 11.0 8.3 1.45 3.20 49.6 39.3 14 75 16.5 0.4 0.9 96.8 23.2 4250 

23 89 78 0.4 17.3 13.8 17.2 13.8 1.47 3.24 51.4 40.8 25 80 17.6 0.7 1.5 96.4 23.4 4240 

24 92 86 0.5 23.7 19.8 23.6 19.8 1.48 3.26 52.9 42.0 36 84 18.5 1.0 2.2 96.0 23.5 4240 

25 93 90 0.6 30.2 26.1 30.1 26.0 1.50 3.31 53.9 42.8 45 87 19.1 1.3 2.9 95.6 23.6 4230 

26 94 91 0.6 36.8 32.5 36.7 32.4 1.50 3.31 54.9 43.6 53 89 19.5 1.7 3.7 95.3 23.7 4220 

27 94 92 0.7 43.4 39.0 43.2 38.8 1.51 3.33 55.5 44.1 58 90 19.9 2.0 4.5 95.0 23.8 4210 

28 94 93 0.7 50.0 45.4 49.7 45.2 1.51 3.33 56.3 44.7 64 90 19.8 2.4 5.3 94.6 23.9 4200 

29 94 92 0.8 56.6 51.9 56.3 51.6 1.52 3.35 56.9 45.2 69 91 20.1 2.8 6.1 94.2 24.0 4190 

30 94 92 0.9 63.1 58.4 62.8 58.0 1.52 3.35 57.5 45.6 73 91 20.1 3.1 6.9 93.9 24.1 4180 

31 94 92 0.9 69.7 64.8 69.3 64.4 1.52 3.35 57.8 45.9 75 92 20.3 3.5 7.7 93.6 24.2 4170 

32 94 92 1.0 76.3 71.2 75.8 70.8 1.52 3.35 58.2 46.2 78 93 20.5 3.9 8.5 93.2 24.3 4160 

33 94 92 1.1 82.9 77.7 82.3 77.1 1.52 3.35 58.5 46.4 80 93 20.5 4.2 9.4 92.9 24.4 4150 

34 93 91 1.1 89.4 84.1 88.8 83.5 1.52 3.35 58.9 46.7 83 94 20.7 4.6 10.2 92.6 24.4 4140 

35 93 91 1.2 95.9 90.4 95.2 89.8 1.52 3.35 59.2 47.0 84 94 20.7 5.0 11.0 92.3 24.5 4130 

36 93 91 1.3 102.4 96.8 101.6 96.0 1.52 3.35 59.5 47.3 87 95 20.9 5.4 11.8 92.0 24.5 4120 

37 93 90 1.4 108.9 103.1 108.0 102.3 1.52 3.35 59.8 47.5 88 95 20.9 5.7 12.7 91.7 24.6 4110 

38 92 90 1.4 115.4 109.4 114.4 108.5 1.52 3.35 60.1 47.7 90 95 20.9 6.1 13.5 91.4 24.6 4110 

39 92 90 1.5 121.8 115.7 120.7 114.7 1.53 3.37 60.2 47.8 90 96 21.2 6.5 14.3 91.1 24.6 4100 

40 91 89 1.6 128.2 121.9 127.0 120.8 1.53 3.37 60.4 47.9 90 96 21.2 6.9 15.1 90.8 24.6 4100 

41 91 89 1.7 134.5 128.2 133.3 126.9 1.53 3.37 60.6 48.1 91 96 21.1 7.2 15.9 90.5 24.6 4090 

42 91 88 1.8 140.9 134.3 139.5 133.0 1.53 3.37 60.8 48.2 91 95 20.9 7.6 16.7 90.3 24.7 4090 

43 90 88 1.9 147.2 140.5 145.7 139.0 1.53 3.37 60.9 48.3 91 95 20.9 8.0 17.6 90.0 24.7 4085 

44 90 87 2.0 153.5 146.6 151.9 145.0 1.53 3.37 61.0 48.4 91 95 20.9 8.3 18.4 89.7 24.7 4085 

45 89 87 2.1 159.7 152.7 158.0 151.0 1.53 3.37 61.1 48.5 92 95 20.9 8.7 19.2 89.5 24.7 4080 

46 89 87 2.1 166.0 158.7 164.1 156.9 1.54 3.40 61.1 48.5 91 95 20.9 9.1 20.0 89.2 24.7 4080 

47 89 86 2.2 172.2 164.8 170.2 162.8 1.54 3.40 61.2 48.6 91 95 20.9 9.4 20.8 89.1 24.7 4075 

48 88 85 2.3 178.4 170.8 176.2 168.6 1.54 3.40 61.3 48.6 91 95 20.9 9.8 21.5 88.9 24.7 4075 

49 87 85 2.4 184.5 176.7 182.1 174.4 1.54 3.40 61.3 48.7 91 95 20.9 10.1 22.3 88.6 24.7 4070 

50 87 85 2.5 190.5 182.6 188.1 180.2 1.54 3.40 61.3 48.7 91 95 20.9 10.5 23.1 88.5 24.7 4070 

51 87 84 2.6 196.6 188.5 194.0 185.9 1.54 3.40 61.5 48.8 91 95 20.9 10.8 23.9 88.3 24.7 4065 

52 86 83 2.7 202.7 194.4 199.8 191.6 1.54 3.40 61.6 48.9 91 95 20.9 11.2 24.7 88.1 24.7 4065 

53 86 83 2.8 208.7 200.2 205.7 197.3 1.54 3.40 61.6 48.9 91 94 20.7 11.5 25.4 87.9 24.7 4060 

54 85 83 2.9 214.6 206.0 211.5 202.9 1.54 3.40 61.7 49.0 90 94 20.7 11.9 26.2 87.7 24.7 4060 

55 85 82 3.0 220.6 211.7 217.2 208.5 1.54 3.40 61.8 49.1 90 94 20.7 12.2 27.0 87.6 24.7 4050 

56 85 82 3.1 226.5 217.4 223.0 214.0 1.54 3.40 62.0 49.2 90 94 20.7 12.6 27.7 87.5 24.7 4050 

57 84 81 3.2 232.4 223.1 228.7 219.5 1.54 3.40 62.0 49.2 90 94 20.7 12.9 28.5 87.3 24.7 4045 

58 84 81 3.3 238.3 228.8 234.4 225.0 1.54 3.40 62.1 49.3 90 94 20.7 13.2 29.2 87.2 24.7 4045 

59 83 81 3.4 244.1 234.4 240.0 230.5 1.54 3.40 62.2 49.3 90 94 20.7 13.6 30.0 87.1 24.7 4040 

* Egg weights after 40 weeks of age assume phase feeding of protein to limit egg size. 

** Percent solids in liquid egg mix of white and yolk. 




Haugh 

Units 

Egg Quality 

% 

Solids** 

Breaking 

Strength 



Age 

in 

Weeks 

Curr. 

under Opt. 

Conditions 


Curr. 

under Avg. 

Conditions 

% 

Cum. 

Cum. 

under Opt. 

Conditions 

Hen-Day 

Eggs 

Cum. 

under Avg. 

Conditions 


Cum. 

under Opt. 

Conditions 

Hen-Housed 

Eggs 

Cum. 

under Avg. 

Conditions 




Egg Weight* 

kg lb g/egg 







This page was last updated May 2010 

Net lb/ 

30 doz 

case 

% 

Grade A 

Large and 

Above 

23 oz/doz 

Feed 

Consumption 

g/day 

per 

bird 

lb/day 

per 

100 

birds 

Hen-Housed 

Egg Mass 

Cum. 

kg lb 

60 83 80 3.5 249.9 240.1 245.6 235.9 1.54 3.40 62.2 49.3 90 94 20.7 13.9 30.7 87.0 24.7 4040 

61 83 80 3.6 255.7 245.6 251.2 241.3 1.54 3.40 62.3 49.4 90 94 20.7 14.3 31.4 86.9 24.7 4035 

62 82 79 3.8 261.5 251.2 256.7 246.6 1.54 3.40 62.3 49.4 90 93 20.5 14.6 32.2 86.8 24.7 4030 

63 82 78 3.9 267.2 256.7 262.2 251.9 1.54 3.40 62.5 49.6 90 93 20.5 14.9 32.9 86.7 24.7 4020 

64 81 78 4.0 272.9 262.1 267.7 257.1 1.54 3.40 62.5 49.6 90 93 20.5 15.3 33.6 86.6 24.7 4010 

65 81 77 4.1 278.5 267.6 273.1 262.3 1.54 3.40 62.6 49.7 90 93 20.5 15.6 34.3 86.5 24.7 4005 

66 80 77 4.3 284.1 272.9 278.5 267.5 1.54 3.40 62.6 49.7 90 93 20.5 15.9 35.1 86.4 24.7 3990 

67 80 76 4.4 289.7 278.3 283.8 272.6 1.54 3.40 62.6 49.7 90 93 20.5 16.2 35.8 86.3 24.7 3985 

68 80 76 4.5 295.3 283.6 289.2 277.6 1.54 3.40 62.7 49.7 90 93 20.5 16.5 36.5 86.2 24.7 3970 

69 80 76 4.7 300.9 288.9 294.5 282.7 1.54 3.40 62.9 49.9 90 93 20.5 16.9 37.2 86.1 24.7 3960 

70 80 76 4.8 306.5 294.2 299.9 287.7 1.54 3.40 62.9 50.0 90 93 20.5 17.2 37.9 86.0 24.7 3955 

71 80 75 4.9 312.1 299.4 305.2 292.7 1.54 3.40 63.1 50.1 90 93 20.5 17.5 38.6 85.9 24.7 3950 

72 80 75 5.1 317.7 304.7 310.5 297.7 1.54 3.40 63.1 50.1 90 93 20.5 17.8 39.2 85.8 24.7 3945 

73 80 75 5.2 323.3 310.0 315.8 302.7 1.54 3.40 63.1 50.1 90 93 20.5 18.1 39.9 85.7 24.7 3940 

74 79 74 5.4 328.9 315.2 321.0 307.6 1.54 3.40 63.4 50.3 90 93 20.5 18.4 40.6 85.6 24.7 3940 

75 79 74 5.5 334.4 320.3 326.3 312.5 1.54 3.40 63.5 50.4 90 93 20.5 18.7 41.3 85.5 24.7 3930 

76 78 74 5.6 339.9 325.5 331.4 317.4 1.54 3.40 63.5 50.4 90 93 20.5 19.0 42.0 85.4 24.7 3930 

77 78 72 5.8 345.3 330.5 336.6 322.2 1.54 3.40 63.8 50.6 90 93 20.5 19.4 42.7 85.3 24.7 3920 

78 77 72 5.9 350.7 335.6 341.6 326.9 1.54 3.40 63.8 50.7 90 93 20.5 19.7 43.3 85.2 24.7 3920 

79 76 71 6.1 356.0 340.6 346.6 331.6 1.54 3.40 63.9 50.7 90 93 20.5 20.0 44.0 85.1 24.7 3910 

80 75 70 6.2 361.3 345.5 351.5 336.2 1.54 3.40 63.9 50.7 90 93 20.5 20.2 44.6 85.0 24.7 3910 

Haugh 

Units 

Egg Quality 

% 

Solids** 

Breaking 

Strength


Percent or grams 

100 

95 

90 

85 

80 

75 

70 

65 

60 

55 

50 

45 

40 

35 

30 

25 

20 

Egg weight (g) 

Body weight (kg) 



15 

0.8 

10 

0.6 

0.4 

5 

Mortality (%) 

0.2 

0 

0.0 

15 20 25 30 35 40 45 50 55 60 65 70 75 80 

Age (weeks) 

Hen-day egg production (%) 

The genetic potential of Hy-Line varieties can only be realized if good poultry husbandry practices and management are used. The above information is based on fi eld experience compiled by Hy-Line, extensive commercial 

fl ock records cataloged by Hy-Line from all parts of the world and principles taken from industry technical literature. It should be used for guidance and educational purposes only, recognizing that local environmental and 

disease conditions may vary and a handout cannot cover all possible circumstances. 



5.0 

4.8 

4.6 

4.4 

4.2 

4.0 

3.8 

3.6 

3.4 

3.2 

3.0 

2.8 

2.6 

2.4 

2.2 

2.0 

1.8 

1.6 

1.4 

1.2 

1.0 

Kilograms


Age in % Hen-Day % Mortality Hen-Day Hen-Housed Body Weight 

Average 

Egg Weight* 

Weeks Lay Curr. Cum. Cum. Cum. kg lb g/egg Net lb/30 

doz case 


Hy-Line W-36 Post Molt Performance Table 

% Grade A 

Large and Above Feed Consumption 

23 oz/doz g/day 

per bird 

lb/day per 

100 birds 



Hen-Housed 

Egg Mass Cum. 

kg lb 

69 0 4.7 280.8 274.9 1.30 2.87 - - - - - 16.3 36.0 

70 0 4.8 280.8 274.9 1.27 2.80 - - - 40 8.8 16.3 36.0 

71 0 4.9 280.8 274.9 1.30 2.87 - - - 60 13.2 16.3 36.0 

72 11 5.0 281.5 275.7 1.35 2.97 62.5 49.6 91 78 17.2 16.4 36.1 

73 33 5.2 283.8 277.9 1.39 3.07 62.6 49.7 91 83 18.3 16.5 36.4 

74 56 5.3 287.8 281.6 1.44 3.17 63.0 50.0 92 86 19.0 16.8 37.0 

75 67 5.4 292.4 286.0 1.44 3.17 63.1 50.1 92 88 19.4 17.0 37.6 

76 75 5.5 297.7 291.0 1.46 3.21 63.2 50.2 92 89 19.6 17.4 38.3 

77 79 5.6 303.2 296.2 1.49 3.28 63.3 50.2 92 90 19.8 17.7 39.0 

78 81 5.8 308.9 301.5 1.51 3.32 63.3 50.2 92 92 20.3 18.0 39.7 

79 82 5.9 314.6 306.9 1.53 3.36 63.4 50.3 92 93 20.3 18.4 40.5 

80 82 6.0 320.4 312.3 1.55 3.41 63.4 50.3 91 93 20.3 18.7 41.3 

81 82 6.2 326.1 317.7 1.56 3.43 63.4 50.3 91 93 20.5 19.1 42.0 

82 83 6.3 331.9 323.2 1.57 3.45 63.4 50.3 91 93 20.5 19.4 42.8 

83 83 6.5 337.7 328.6 1.57 3.47 63.5 50.4 91 93 20.5 19.7 43.5 

84 82 6.6 343.5 334.0 1.57 3.47 63.5 50.4 91 93 20.5 20.1 44.3 

85 81 6.8 349.1 339.2 1.57 3.47 63.5 50.4 91 93 20.5 20.4 45.0 

86 81 6.9 354.8 344.5 1.57 3.47 63.5 50.4 91 93 20.5 20.8 45.8 

87 80 7.1 360.4 349.7 1.57 3.47 63.5 50.4 91 93 20.5 21.1 46.5 

88 80 7.3 366.0 354.9 1.57 3.47 63.5 50.4 91 93 20.5 21.4 47.2 

89 79 7.4 371.5 360.0 1.57 3.47 63.5 50.4 90 94 20.7 21.7 47.9 

90 79 7.6 377.1 365.1 1.57 3.47 63.5 50.4 90 94 20.7 22.1 48.6 

91 79 7.7 382.6 370.2 1.57 3.47 63.6 50.5 90 94 20.7 22.4 49.4 

92 78 7.9 388.1 375.3 1.57 3.47 63.6 50.5 90 94 20.7 22.7 50.1 

93 78 8.1 393.5 380.3 1.57 3.47 63.6 50.5 90 94 20.7 23.0 50.8 

94 78 8.3 399.0 385.3 1.57 3.47 63.7 50.6 90 94 20.7 23.3 51.5 

95 77 8.4 404.4 390.2 1.57 3.47 63.7 50.6 90 94 20.7 23.7 52.2 

96 77 8.6 409.8 395.2 1.57 3.47 63.7 50.6 90 95 20.9 24.0 52.9 

97 77 8.8 415.2 400.1 1.57 3.47 63.8 50.6 90 95 20.9 24.3 53.6 

98 76 9.0 420.5 404.9 1.57 3.47 63.8 50.6 90 95 20.9 24.6 54.2 

99 76 9.1 425.8 409.8 1.57 3.47 63.8 50.6 90 95 20.9 24.9 54.9 

100 75 9.3 431.0 414.5 1.57 3.47 63.9 50.7 90 95 20.9 25.2 55.6 

101 75 9.5 436.3 419.3 1.57 3.47 63.9 50.7 90 95 20.9 25.5 56.3 

102 74 9.7 441.5 423.9 1.57 3.47 64.0 50.8 90 96 21.2 25.8 56.9 

103 74 9.9 446.7 428.6 1.57 3.47 64.0 50.8 90 96 21.2 26.1 57.6 

104 74 10.1 451.8 433.3 1.57 3.47 64.1 50.9 90 96 21.2 26.4 58.2 

105 73 10.3 456.9 437.9 1.57 3.47 64.1 50.9 90 96 21.2 26.7 58.9 

106 72 10.5 462.0 442.4 1.57 3.47 64.2 51.0 90 96 21.2 27.0 59.5 

107 71 10.7 467.0 446.8 1.57 3.47 64.2 51.0 90 97 21.4 27.3 60.1 

108 71 10.9 471.9 451.2 1.57 3.47 64.3 51.0 89 97 21.4 27.6 60.8 

109 70 11.1 476.8 455.6 1.57 3.47 64.3 51.0 89 98 21.6 27.8 61.4 

110 70 11.3 481.7 459.9 1.57 3.47 64.4 51.1 89 98 21.6 28.1 62.0 

* These egg weights are those which can be achieved through controlled feeding of protein. Larger egg sizes can be achieved by feeding higher protein levels. 









100 

5.0 

95 

4.8 

90 

4.6 

4.4 

85 

4.2 

80 

4.0 

75 

3.8 

70 

65 


3.6 

3.4 

3.2 

60 

3.0 

55 

2.8 

50 

2.6 

2.4 

45 

2.2 

40 

2.0 

35 

30 


1.8 

1.6 

1.4 

25 

1.2 

20 

1.0 

15 

0.8 

10 

0.6 

0.4 

5 

Mortality (%) 

0.2 

0 

0.0 

15 20 25 30 35 40 45 50 55 60 65 70 75 80 85 90 95 100 105 110 


Age (weeks) 






Kilograms


Age in 

Weeks 

Average 

Egg Weight 

(lb/case) 

Jumbo 

Over 30 

oz/doz 

Egg Size Distribution—U.S. Standards 

Extra Large 

27–30 

oz/doz 

Large 

24–27 

oz/doz 

Medium 

21–24 

oz/doz 

Small 

18–21 

oz/doz 



Peewee 

Under 18 

oz/doz 

22 39.3 0.0 0.1 5.3 44.7 44.6 5.4 

24 42.0 0.0 0.9 19.5 55.9 22.5 1.2 

26 43.6 0.0 2.9 32.1 51.9 12.6 0.4 

28 44.7 0.1 5.5 41.0 45.7 7.5 0.2 

30 45.6 0.2 8.4 48.3 38.8 4.2 0.1 

32 46.2 0.2 10.5 52.3 34.1 2.8 0.0 

34 46.7 0.3 13.1 55.8 29.1 1.7 0.0 

36 47.3 0.4 15.6 58.3 24.7 1.1 0.0 

38 47.7 0.5 18.5 60.0 20.3 0.6 0.0 

40 47.9 0.7 20.9 58.9 18.9 0.6 0.0 

42 48.2 1.0 23.5 58.6 16.5 0.5 0.0 

44 48.4 1.2 25.1 57.2 15.9 0.5 0.0 

46 48.5 1.3 25.8 57.0 15.4 0.5 0.0 

48 48.6 1.7 27.4 55.6 14.9 0.5 0.0 

50 48.7 1.9 27.6 55.2 14.9 0.5 0.0 

52 48.9 2.2 29.6 53.9 13.9 0.5 0.0 

54 49.0 2.5 30.4 52.8 13.9 0.5 0.0 

56 49.2 2.9 32.3 51.8 12.5 0.5 0.0 

58 49.3 3.4 33.0 50.7 12.5 0.5 0.0 

60 49.3 3.8 33.7 49.8 12.2 0.5 0.0 

62 49.4 4.0 34.1 49.2 12.2 0.5 0.0 

64 49.6 4.4 35.3 48.5 11.4 0.4 0.0 

66 49.7 4.6 35.9 48.1 11.0 0.4 0.0 

68 49.7 4.8 36.5 47.7 10.7 0.4 0.0 

70 50.0 5.2 37.7 46.8 10.0 0.3 0.0 

72 50.1 5.6 38.9 45.9 9.3 0.3 0.0 

74 50.3 6.3 40.6 44.5 8.3 0.2 0.0 

76 50.4 6.6 41.1 44.0 8.0 0.2 0.0 

78 50.7 7.4 42.7 42.5 7.2 0.2 0.0 

80 50.7 7.7 43.3 41.9 6.9 0.2 0.0 







Age in 

Weeks 

Average 

Egg Weight (g) 

Egg Size Distribution—E.U. Standards 

Very Large 

Over 73 g 

Large 

63–73 g 

Medium 

53–63 g 



Small 

43–53 g 

22 49.6 0.0 0.1 21.9 78.0 

24 52.9 0.0 1.4 47.7 50.9 

26 54.9 0.0 4.2 61.5 34.3 

28 56.3 0.0 7.7 68.2 24.1 

30 57.5 0.0 11.6 72.0 16.4 

32 58.2 0.1 14.3 73.3 12.4 

34 58.9 0.1 17.5 73.4 9.0 

36 59.5 0.1 20.7 72.7 6.6 

38 60.1 0.1 24.4 71.0 4.6 

40 60.4 0.2 27.1 68.5 4.3 

42 60.8 0.2 30.2 66.1 3.5 

44 61.0 0.3 32.2 64.1 3.5 

46 61.1 0.3 33.0 63.4 3.3 

48 61.3 0.5 34.8 61.5 3.3 

50 61.3 0.6 35.0 61.2 3.3 

52 61.6 0.7 37.4 58.9 3.1 

54 61.7 0.8 38.3 57.8 3.1 

56 62.0 1.0 40.6 55.4 3.0 

58 62.1 1.2 41.4 54.5 2.9 

60 62.2 1.4 42.4 53.4 2.9 

62 62.3 1.5 42.9 52.8 2.9 

64 62.5 1.6 44.3 51.4 2.6 

66 62.6 1.7 45.1 50.8 2.5 

68 62.7 1.8 45.8 50.1 2.4 

70 62.9 2.0 47.2 48.7 2.2 

72 63.1 2.2 48.7 47.2 2.0 

74 63.4 2.5 50.8 45.1 1.7 

76 63.5 2.6 51.4 44.3 1.6 

78 63.8 3.0 53.5 42.1 1.4 

80 63.9 3.2 54.1 41.4 1.3 








Growing Period Nutritional Recommendations—W-36 


Item 1 Starter 1 Starter 2 Grower Developer Pre-lay 5 

Feed to a body weight of 170 g 410 g 940 g 1160 g 1240 g 

Approximate age 0–3 weeks 4–6 weeks 7–12 weeks 13–15 weeks 16–17 weeks 

Recommended concentration2 Metabolizable energy, kcal/lb 1350–1400 1350–1400 1350–1400 1350–1420 1320–1340 

Metabolizable energy, kcal/kg 2977–3087 2977–3087 2977–3087 2977–3131 2911–2955 

Metabolizable energy, MJ/kg 12.46–12.92 12.46–12.92 12.46–12.92 12.46–13.11 12.18–12.37 



Lysine, % 1.05 0.98 0.88 0.76 0.78 

Methionine, % 0.47 0.44 0.40 0.36 0.38 


Threonine, % 0.69 0.66 0.60 0.52 0.55 

Tryptophan, % 0.18 0.18 0.17 0.15 0.16 

Arginine, % 1.12 1.05 0.94 0.81 0.83 

Isoleucine, % 0.74 0.71 0.65 0.57 0.62 

Valine, % 0.76 0.73 0.69 0.61 0.66 


Nutritional Recommendations—2009 

Lysine, % 1.15 1.07 0.96 0.83 0.85 

Methionine, % 0.51 0.47 0.44 0.38 0.41 


Threonine, % 0.82 0.77 0.70 0.62 0.64 

Tryptophan, % 0.21 0.21 0.20 0.18 0.20 

Arginine, % 1.21 1.13 1.01 0.87 0.90 

Isoleucine, % 0.79 0.76 0.70 0.61 0.67 

Valine, % 0.83 0.80 0.76 0.67 0.73 

Crude protein (nitrogen × 6.25), 3 % 20.00 19.00 18.00 17.00 17.00 

Calcium, 4 % 1.00 1.00 1.00 1.40 2.50 

Phosphorus (available), % 0.50 0.49 0.47 0.45 0.48 

Sodium, % 0.18 0.18 0.18 0.18 0.18 

Chloride, % 0.18 0.18 0.18 0.18 0.18 


1 Change diets at the recommended target body weight—the approximate age is a guide only. 

2 Differences in the metabolizable energy value assigned to feed ingredients of the same name can differ substantially; in some cases, the recommended dietary energy 

content may have to be adjusted accordingly (see Hy-Line Red Book for additional information). 

3 The minimum recommendations for total amino acids and crude protein are only appropriate with a corn and soybean meal diet; please formulate the diet on digestible 

amino acid basis instead. 

4 Calcium should be supplied as a fi ne calcium carbonate source (mean particle size less than 2 mm). 

5 Do not feed the pre-lay diet beyond the fi rst egg as it does not contain suffi cient calcium to sustain egg production. 






Item 1 Peaking 


Above 92% to 87% 


86 to 82% 



Less than 82% 


Point of lay to 32 weeks 33–44 weeks 45–58 weeks 59+ weeks 

Recommended concentration2 Metabolizable energy, kcal/lb 1290–1340 1290–1335 1280–1325 1270–1290 

Metabolizable energy, kcal/kg 2844–2955 2844–2944 2822–2922 2800–2844 

Metabolizable energy, MJ/kg 11.90–12.37 11.90–12.32 11.81–12.23 11.72–11.90 



Lysine, mg/day 805 750 710 695 

Methionine, mg/day 394 368 348 334 

Methionine + cystine, mg/day 676 630 596 570 

Threonine, mg/day 564 525 497 487 

Tryptophan, mg/day 169 158 149 146 


Isoleucine, mg/day 636 593 561 549 

Valine, mg/day 725 675 639 626 


Laying Period Nutritional Recommendations—W-36 


Lysine, mg/day 881 821 777 761 







Valine, mg/day 799 744 705 690 

Crude protein (nitrogen × 6.25), 3 g/day 16.00 15.50 15.25 15.00 

Calcium, 4 g/day 4.00 4.20 4.35 4.50 

Phosphorus (available), mg/day 500 480 460 400 

Sodium, mg/day 180 180 180 180 


Linoleic acid (C18:2 n-6), g/day 1.00 1.00 1.00 1.00 

Choline, mg/day 100 100 100 100 

1 Consumption of crude protein, methionine + cystine, fat, linoleic acid, and/or energy may be changed to optimize egg size. 

2 The recommended energy range is based on the energy values shown in the Hy-Line Red Book. Differences in the metabolizable energy value assigned to feed 

ingredients of the same name can differ substantially; in some cases, the recommended dietary energy content may have to be adjusted accordingly (see Hy-Line Red 

Book for additional information). 

3 Total amino acids are only appropriate with a corn and soybean meal diet; please formulate the diet on digestible amino acid basis if a substantial amount of other 

protein-supplying ingredients are used. 

4 Approximately 65% of the added calcium carbonate (limestone) should be in particle sizes of 2–4 mm. 










86 to 82% 



Less than 82% 






Feed consumption 

g/day per hen 74 79 84* 89 94 85 90 95* 100 105 85 90 95* 100 105 83 88 93* 98 103 

lb/day per 100 hens 16.3 17.4 18.5 19.6 20.7 18.7 19.8 20.9 22.1 23.2 18.7 19.8 20.9 22.1 23.2 18.3 19.4 20.5 21.6 22.7 


Lysine, % 1.09 1.02 0.96 0.90 0.86 0.88 0.83 0.79 0.75 0.71 0.84 0.79 0.75 0.71 0.68 0.84 0.79 0.75 0.71 0.67 

Methionine, % 0.53 0.50 0.47 0.44 0.42 0.43 0.41 0.39 0.37 0.35 0.41 0.39 0.37 0.35 0.33 0.40 0.38 0.36 0.34 0.32 

Methionine + cystine, % 0.91 0.86 0.80 0.76 0.72 0.74 0.70 0.66 0.63 0.60 0.70 0.66 0.63 0.60 0.57 0.69 0.65 0.61 0.58 0.55 

Threonine, % 0.76 0.71 0.67 0.63 0.60 0.62 0.58 0.55 0.53 0.50 0.58 0.55 0.52 0.50 0.47 0.59 0.55 0.52 0.50 0.47 

Tryptophan, % 0.23 0.21 0.20 0.19 0.18 0.19 0.18 0.17 0.16 0.15 0.18 0.17 0.16 0.15 0.14 0.18 0.17 0.16 0.15 0.14 

Arginine, % 1.16 1.09 1.03 0.97 0.92 0.94 0.89 0.85 0.80 0.76 0.89 0.84 0.80 0.76 0.72 0.90 0.85 0.80 0.76 0.72 

Isoleucine, % 0.86 0.81 0.76 0.71 0.68 0.70 0.66 0.62 0.59 0.56 0.66 0.62 0.59 0.56 0.53 0.66 0.62 0.59 0.56 0.53 

Valine, % 0.98 0.92 0.86 0.81 0.77 0.79 0.75 0.71 0.68 0.64 0.75 0.71 0.67 0.64 0.61 0.75 0.71 0.67 0.64 0.61 


Lysine, % 1.19 1.12 1.05 0.99 0.94 0.97 0.91 0.86 0.82 0.78 0.91 0.86 0.82 0.78 0.74 0.92 0.86 0.82 0.78 0.74 

Methionine, % 0.57 0.54 0.50 0.48 0.45 0.46 0.44 0.42 0.40 0.38 0.44 0.42 0.39 0.37 0.36 0.43 0.41 0.39 0.37 0.35 


Threonine, % 0.90 0.84 0.79 0.74 0.71 0.73 0.69 0.65 0.62 0.59 0.69 0.65 0.62 0.59 0.56 0.69 0.65 0.62 0.58 0.56 

Tryptophan, % 0.27 0.26 0.24 0.23 0.21 0.22 0.21 0.20 0.19 0.18 0.21 0.20 0.19 0.18 0.17 0.21 0.20 0.19 0.18 0.17 

Arginine, % 1.25 1.17 1.10 1.04 0.99 1.02 0.96 0.91 0.86 0.82 0.96 0.91 0.86 0.82 0.78 0.96 0.91 0.86 0.82 0.78 

Isoleucine, % 0.92 0.87 0.81 0.77 0.73 0.75 0.71 0.67 0.64 0.61 0.71 0.67 0.63 0.60 0.57 0.71 0.67 0.63 0.60 0.57 

Valine, % 1.08 1.01 0.95 0.90 0.85 0.88 0.83 0.78 0.74 0.71 0.83 0.78 0.74 0.71 0.67 0.83 0.78 0.74 0.70 0.67 

Crude protein 

(nitrogen × 6.25), 3 % 

21.62 20.25 19.05 17.98 17.02 18.24 17.22 16.32 15.50 14.76 17.94 16.94 16.05 15.25 14.52 18.07 17.05 16.13 15.31 14.56 

Calcium, 4 % 5.41 5.06 4.76 4.49 4.26 4.94 4.67 4.42 4.20 4.00 5.12 4.83 4.58 4.35 4.14 5.42 5.11 4.84 4.59 4.37 

Phosphorus (available), % 0.68 0.63 0.60 0.56 0.53 0.56 0.53 0.51 0.48 0.46 0.54 0.51 0.48 0.46 0.44 0.48 0.45 0.43 0.41 0.39 

Sodium, % 0.24 0.23 0.21 0.20 0.19 0.21 0.20 0.19 0.18 0.17 0.21 0.20 0.19 0.18 0.17 0.22 0.20 0.19 0.18 0.17 

Chloride, % 0.24 0.23 0.21 0.20 0.19 0.21 0.20 0.19 0.18 0.17 0.21 0.20 0.19 0.18 0.17 0.22 0.20 0.19 0.18 0.17 

Linoleic acid (C18:2 n-6), % 1.35 1.27 1.19 1.12 1.06 1.18 1.11 1.05 1.00 0.95 1.18 1.11 1.05 1.00 0.95 1.20 1.14 1.08 1.02 0.97 

*Typical feed consumption for the age based on available data. 















Post-Molt Nutritional Recommendations—W-36 

Recommended concentration 1 Molt Diet 

Metabolizable energy, kcal/lb 1179–1270 

Metabolizable energy, kcal/kg 2600–2800 

Metabolizable energy, MJ/kg 10.88–11.72 


Standardized (true) ileal digestibility 


















Crude protein (nitrogen × 6.25), 2 % 8.50 

Calcium, 3 % 1.30 

Phosphorus (available), % 0.25 

Sodium, 4 % 0.03 









3 The added calcium carbonate (limestone) should be in particle sizes of less than 2 mm. 

4 The sodium content in the Molt 1 diet should not exceed 0.035%. 








Recommended post-molt dietary calcium and available phosphorus contents. 

Peaking 


After the Molt 3 diet, formulate diets according to level of desired percentage egg production following the nutritional 

recommendations for fi rst-cycle laying hens (see Hy-Line Red Book), albeit with a 20 kcal/kg (10 kcal/lb, 0.10 MJ/kg) 

reduction in the dietary energy content. Other noticeable differences in the post-molt diets are an increased need for 

dietary calcium and a decreased need for dietary phosphorus, refl ected in the table. 

Minimum recommended daily consumption Peaking 



Calcium, 1 % 5.96 5.58 5.24 4.94 4.68 





Calcium, 1 % 5.48 5.17 4.89 4.64 4.42 


77 to 75% egg production 



Calcium, 1 % 5.59 5.28 5.00 4.75 4.52 







Calcium, 1 % 5.76 5.44 5.16 4.90 4.67 


* Typical feed consumption based on available data. 



77 to 75% 


Less than 75% 


Calcium, g/day 4.35 4.55 4.75 4.95 

Phosphorus (available),mg/day 500 450 400 350 






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W-98 Growing period nutritional recommendations 





Hy-Line W-98 growing period nutritional recommendations. 

Item 1 


grams 

Starter 

1 

Starter 

2 


Prelay 

6 

180 450 1000 1180 1270 




kcal/lb 


kcal/kg 


MJ/kg 

1325-1375 1350-1400 1325-1375 1300-1375 1285- 

1315 

2920-3030 2980-3085 2920-3030 2870-3030 2830- 

2900 

12.20- 

12.70 



12.45- 

12.90 

12.20- 

12.70 

12.00-12.70 11.85- 

12.15 

Lysine, % 1.00 0.92 0.82 0.69 0.69 

Methionine, % 0.45 0.43 0.40 0.35 0.384 


Threonine, % 0.65 0.60 0.53 0.46 0.46 

Tryptophan, % 0.17 0.17 0.16 0.14 0.14 

Arginine, % 1.07 0.98 0.88 0.74 0.74

Isoleucine, % 0.70 0.66 0.61 0.52 0.55 

Valine, % 0.72 0.68 0.64 0.55 0.59 


Lysine, % 1.09 1.01 0.90 0.76 0.76 

Methionine, % 0.48 0.46 0.43 0.38 0.36 


Threonine, % 0.76 0.70 0.63 0.54 0.54 

Tryptophan, % 0.20 0.20 0.19 0.16 0.16 

Arginine, % 1.15 1.06 0.94 0.79 0.79 

Isoleucine, % 0.75 0.71 0.65 0.56 0.59 

Valine, % 0.79 0.75 0.71 0.61 0.65 


% 20.00 18.00 18.00 16.00 15.50 

Calcium, 4 % 1.00 1.00 1.00 1.40 2.75 


Sodium (Na), % 0.19 0.19 0.18 0.18 0.18 

Chloride, % 0.19 0.19 0.18 0.18 0.18 


















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W-98 Laying period nutritional recommendations 








Table 1. Hy-Line W-98 laying period nutritional recommendations. 

Item 


87% egg 

production 

Approximate 

age, weeks 

Point-oflay 

to 32 


Metabolizable 


Metabolizable 


Metabolizable 

energy, MJ/kg 

1290- 

1340 

2845- 

2955 

11.90- 

12.35 



86-82% egg 

production 

Less than 82% 


33-44 45-58 59+ 

1290-1335 1280-1325 1270-1290 

2845-2945 2820-2920 2800-2845 

11.90-12.30 11.80-12.20 11.70-11.90 

Lysine, mg/day 790 760 720 685 

Methionine, 

mg/day 

Methionine + 


371 357 338 329 

593 570 540 562

Threonine, 

mg/day 

Tryptophan, 

mg/day 

520 502 475 452 

158 152 144 137 


Isoleucine, 

mg/day 

624 600 569 541 

Valine, mg/day 711 684 648 617 


Lysine, mg/day 865 832 788 750 

Methionine, 

mg/day 

Methionine + 


Threonine, 

mg/day 

Tryptophan, 

mg/day 

399 384 364 354 

668 643 609 633 

613 590 559 532 

189 182 172 164 


Isoleucine, 

mg/day 

671 646 612 582 

Valine, mg/day 784 754 715 680 


× 6.25), 3 g/day 16.50 16.00 15.50 15.00 

Calcium, 4 g/day 4.10 4.25 4.40 4.55 

Phosphorus 


mg/day 

Sodium (Na), 

mg/day 

500 470 430 370 

180 180 180 180 


Linoleic acid 

(C18:2 n-6), 

g/day 

1.0 1.0 1.0 1.0 

Choline, mg/day 100 100 100 100 

















MJ/kg 




Lysine, % 0.94 0.89 0.84 0.80 0.76 

Methionine, % 0.44 0.42 0.39 0.37 0.36 


Threonine, % 0.62 0.59 0.55 0.53 0.50 

Tryptophan, % 0.19 0.18 0.17 0.16 0.15 

Arginine, % 1.01 0.95 0.90 0.85 0.81 

Isoleucine, % 0.74 0.70 0.66 0.63 0.60 

Valine, % 0.85 0.80 0.76 0.72 0.68 


Lysine, % 1.03 0.97 0.92 0.87 0.83 

Methionine, % 0.48 0.45 0.42 0.40 0.38 


Threonine, % 0.73 0.69 0.65 0.62 0.59 

Tryptophan, % 0.23 0.21 0.20 0.19 0.18 

Arginine, % 1.08 1.02 0.97 0.92 0.87 

Isoleucine, % 0.80 0.75 0.71 0.68 0.65 

Valine, % 0.93 0.88 0.83 0.79 0.75 


Calcium, 4 % 4.88 4.61 4.36 4.14 3.94 


Sodium (Na), % 0.21 0.20 0.19 0.18 0.17 

Chloride, % 0.21 0.20 0.19 0.18 0.17



















MJ/kg 




Lysine, % 0.86 0.82 0.78 0.74 0.70 

Methionine, % 0.41 0.38 0.36 0.35 0.33 


Threonine, % 0.57 0.54 0.51 0.49 0.46 

Tryptophan, % 0.17 0.16 0.16 0.15 0.14 

Arginine, % 0.92 0.87 0.83 0.79 0.75 

Isoleucine, % 0.68 0.65 0.61 0.58 0.56 

Valine, % 0.78 0.74 0.70 0.66 0.63 


Lysine, % 0.95 0.89 0.85 0.81 0.77 

Methionine, % 0.44 0.41 0.39 0.37 0.36 


Threonine, % 0.67 0.63 0.60 0.57 0.55 

Tryptophan, % 0.21 0.20 0.19 0.18 0.17 

Arginine, % 0.99 0.94 0.89 0.85 0.81 

Isoleucine, % 0.73 0.69 0.66 0.63 0.60 

Valine, % 0.86 0.81 0.77 0.73 0.70


Calcium, 4 % 4.83 4.57 4.34 4.13 3.94 


Sodium (Na), % 0.20 0.19 0.18 0.17 0.17 

Chloride, % 0.20 0.19 0.18 0.17 0.17 



















MJ/kg 




Lysine, % 0.80 0.76 0.72 0.69 0.65 

Methionine, % 0.38 0.36 0.34 0.32 0.31 


Threonine, % 0.53 0.50 0.48 0.45 0.43 

Tryptophan, % 0.16 0.15 0.14 0.14 0.13 

Arginine, % 0.86 0.81 0.77 0.73 0.70 

Isoleucine, % 0.63 0.60 0.57 0.54 0.52 

Valine, % 0.72 0.68 0.65 0.62 0.59 


Lysine, % 0.88 0.83 0.79 0.75 0.72 

Methionine, % 0.40 0.38 0.36 0.35 0.33


Threonine, % 0.62 0.59 0.56 0.53 0.51 

Tryptophan, % 0.19 0.18 0.17 0.16 0.16 

Arginine, % 0.92 0.87 0.83 0.79 0.75 

Isoleucine, % 0.68 0.64 0.61 0.58 0.56 

Valine, % 0.79 0.75 0.72 0.68 0.65 


Calcium, 4 % 4.89 4.63 4.40 4.19 4.00 


Sodium (Na), % 0.20 0.19 0.18 0.17 0.16 

Chloride, % 0.20 0.19 0.18 0.17 0.16 



















MJ/kg 




Lysine, % 0.75 0.71 0.68 0.65 0.62 

Methionine, % 0.36 0.34 0.33 0.31 0.30 


Threonine, % 0.50 0.47 0.45 0.43 0.41 

Tryptophan, % 0.15 0.14 0.14 0.13 0.12 

Arginine, % 0.81 0.76 0.73 0.69 0.66

Isoleucine, % 0.59 0.56 0.54 0.51 0.49 

Valine, % 0.68 0.64 0.61 0.58 0.56 


Lysine, % 0.82 0.78 0.74 0.71 0.68 

Methionine, % 0.39 0.37 0.35 0.33 0.32 


Threonine, % 0.58 0.55 0.53 0.50 0.48 

Tryptophan, % 0.18 0.17 0.16 0.15 0.15 

Arginine, % 0.87 0.82 0.78 0.74 0.71 

Isoleucine, % 0.64 0.61 0.58 0.55 0.52 

Valine, % 0.75 0.71 0.67 0.64 0.61 


Calcium, 4 % 5.00 4.74 4.50 4.29 4.10 


Sodium (Na), % 0.20 0.19 0.18 0.17 0.16 

Chloride, % 0.20 0.19 0.18 0.17 0.16 



















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relatively low feed intake of about 87 g/day—or as low as economically and practically 

feasible (the exact feed-intake value should be determined by the local nutritionist and 

depends in part on the individual farm and economics). The diet is fed until the observed 

feed consumption reaches about 95 g/day, which typically occurs around 26 to 27 weeks 

of age. 
























Diet matrix 














that normally consumes approximately 100 g feed per day post-peak. In warmer 

climates (or in cages), the normal postpeak feed intake may be closer to 95 g/day and 

closer to 105 g/day in cooler climates (or cage-free) in which case the matrix should be 

adjusted accordingly. 

Age 








2, 4, 7, and 10) because once the feed intake has stabilized (typically at 100 g/day), it does not change 

much. However, Diets 3, 6, and 9 as well as Diets 5, 8, and 11 are available from the feed mill in case the 

feed intake decreases or increases, respectively. 












g/day again.



















Total Egg Mass per Hen-Day (17–80 weeks) 21.8 kg (48.1 lb) 
























Weeks g lb 

1 65 0.14 

2 110 0.24 

3 180 0.40 

4 260 0.57 

5 350 0.77 

6 450 0.99 

7 550 1.21 

8 650 1.43 

9 750 1.65 

10 850 1.87 

11 930 2.05 

12 1000 2.20 

13 1070 2.36 

14 1130 2.49 

15 1180 2.60 

16** 1230 2.71 

17 1270 2.80 
















1 14 3.09 98 0.22 

2 17 3.75 217 0.48 

3 21 4.63 364 0.80 

4 29 6.39 567 1.25 

5 39 8.60 840 1.85 

6 43 9.48 1141 2.52 

7 46 10.14 1463 3.23 

8 49 10.80 1806 3.98 

9 52 11.46 2170 4.78 

10 54 11.91 2548 5.62 

11 55 12.13 2933 6.47 

12 57 12.57 3332 7.35 

13 59 13.01 3745 8.26 

14 60 13.23 4165 9.18 

15 62 13.67 4599 10.14 

16 64 14.11 5047 11.13 













1 

2 

3 

4 

5 

6 

7 

8 

9 

10–15 

16–20 

21–25* 

Over 25* 


0.8–1.1 0.20–0.30 

1.1–1.9 0.30–0.50 

1.7–2.7 0.45–0.70 

2.5–3.8 0.65–1.00 

3.4–4.7 0.90–1.25 

4.5–5.7 1.20–1.50 

5.7–6.8 1.50–1.80 

6.1–8.0 1.60–2.10 

6.4–9.5 1.70–2.50 

6.8–10.2 1.80–2.70 

7.2–15.2 1.90–4.00 

9.9–18.2 2.60–4.80 

15.2–20.8 4.00–5.50 








Age 

in 

Weeks 

Curr. 

under Opt. 

Conditions 


Curr. 

under Avg. 

Conditions 

% 

Cum. 


Cum. 

under Opt. 

Conditions 

Hen-Day 

Eggs 

Cum. 

under Avg. 

Conditions 


Cum. 

under Opt. 

Conditions 

Hen-Housed 

Eggs 

Cum. 

under Avg. 

Conditions 


Egg Weight* 

kg lb g/egg 

Net lb/ 

30 doz 

case 

% 

Grade A 

Large and 

Above 

23 oz/doz 

Feed 

Consumption 

g/day 

per 

bird 

lb/day 

per 100 

birds 

Hen-Housed 

Egg Mass 

Cum. 

kg lb 



18 14 12 0.1 1.0 0.8 1.0 0.8 1.32 2.91 41.8 33.2 0 72 15.9 0.0 0.1 98.2 22.0 4520 

19 35 33 0.1 3.4 3.2 3.4 3.1 1.39 3.07 45.6 36.2 5 78 17.2 0.1 0.3 98.0 22.3 4515 

20 59 57 0.2 7.6 7.1 7.5 7.1 1.45 3.20 47.9 38.0 12 82 18.1 0.3 0.7 97.8 22.5 4500 

21 78 76 0.2 13.0 12.5 13.0 12.4 1.49 3.29 49.9 39.6 21 86 19.0 0.6 1.3 97.2 22.9 4500 

22 87 85 0.3 19.1 18.4 19.1 18.4 1.52 3.35 51.6 41.0 31 88 19.4 0.9 2.0 97.0 22.9 4490 

23 92 90 0.4 25.6 24.7 25.5 24.6 1.54 3.40 53.4 42.4 42 90 19.8 1.2 2.7 96.5 23.1 4485 

24 92 90 0.4 32.0 31.0 31.9 30.9 1.56 3.44 54.4 43.2 49 92 20.3 1.6 3.5 96.0 23.3 4480 

25 93 91 0.5 38.5 37.4 38.4 37.3 1.57 3.47 55.8 44.3 58 92 20.3 1.9 4.3 95.5 23.4 4475 

26 93 91 0.5 45.0 43.8 44.8 43.6 1.58 3.49 56.7 45.0 63 95 20.9 2.3 5.1 95.1 23.5 4470 

27 93 92 0.6 51.5 50.2 51.3 50.0 1.59 3.51 57.5 45.6 68 96 21.2 2.7 5.9 94.7 23.6 4465 

28 94 92 0.7 58.1 56.6 57.8 56.4 1.60 3.52 58.4 46.3 74 97 21.4 3.0 6.7 94.2 23.6 4460 

29 94 93 0.7 64.7 63.1 64.4 62.8 1.60 3.53 59.0 46.8 77 97 21.4 3.4 7.6 93.7 23.7 4455 

30 94 93 0.8 71.3 69.7 70.9 69.3 1.61 3.54 59.5 47.2 80 98 21.6 3.8 8.4 93.3 23.7 4450 

31 93 93 0.8 77.8 76.2 77.4 75.8 1.61 3.55 59.8 47.5 82 98 21.6 4.2 9.3 92.8 23.8 4440 

32 93 92 0.9 84.3 82.6 83.8 82.1 1.61 3.55 60.1 47.7 84 98 21.6 4.6 10.1 92.2 23.8 4440 

33 92 91 1.0 90.7 89.0 90.2 88.4 1.61 3.56 60.4 47.9 85 98 21.6 5.0 11.0 92.0 23.9 4430 

34 92 91 1.0 97.2 95.3 96.6 94.7 1.61 3.56 60.6 48.1 87 98 21.6 5.4 11.8 91.5 23.9 4430 

35 91 90 1.1 103.5 101.6 102.9 101.0 1.62 3.57 61.0 48.4 89 99 21.8 5.7 12.7 91.1 24.0 4420 

36 91 90 1.1 109.9 107.9 109.2 107.2 1.62 3.57 61.3 48.7 91 99 21.8 6.1 13.5 90.6 24.0 4400 

37 91 89 1.2 116.3 114.2 115.4 113.4 1.62 3.58 61.6 48.9 92 99 21.8 6.5 14.4 90.4 24.2 4400 

38 90 89 1.3 122.6 120.4 121.7 119.5 1.62 3.58 61.9 49.1 94 99 21.8 6.9 15.2 90.0 24.2 4395 

39 90 88 1.3 128.9 126.6 127.9 125.6 1.63 3.59 62.1 49.3 94 99 21.8 7.3 16.1 89.6 24.5 4395 

40 90 88 1.4 135.2 132.7 134.1 131.7 1.63 3.59 62.3 49.4 94 99 21.8 7.7 16.9 89.3 24.5 4390 

41 89 87 1.5 141.4 138.8 140.2 137.7 1.63 3.60 62.6 49.7 95 99 21.8 8.1 17.8 88.9 24.5 4350 

42 89 87 1.6 147.6 144.9 146.4 143.7 1.63 3.60 62.8 49.8 95 99 21.8 8.4 18.6 88.5 24.5 4350 

43 88 87 1.6 153.8 151.0 152.4 149.6 1.64 3.61 63.0 50.0 95 99 21.8 8.8 19.4 88.0 24.5 4320 

44 87 86 1.7 159.9 157.0 158.4 155.6 1.64 3.61 63.3 50.2 95 99 21.8 9.2 20.3 87.8 24.5 4320 

45 87 86 1.8 166.0 163.0 164.4 161.5 1.64 3.62 63.6 50.5 95 99 21.8 9.6 21.1 87.4 24.5 4290 

46 86 85 1.9 172.0 169.0 170.3 167.3 1.64 3.62 63.8 50.6 95 100 22.0 10.0 22.0 87.1 24.4 4290 

47 86 85 2.0 178.0 174.9 176.2 173.1 1.64 3.62 63.8 50.6 95 100 22.0 10.3 22.8 86.7 24.4 4265 

48 85 85 2.1 184.0 180.9 182.0 179.0 1.65 3.63 64.0 50.8 95 100 22.0 10.7 23.6 86.4 24.4 4265 

49 85 84 2.1 189.9 186.8 187.8 184.7 1.65 3.63 64.0 50.8 95 100 22.0 11.1 24.5 86.1 24.4 4220 

50 85 84 2.2 195.9 192.6 193.7 190.5 1.65 3.63 64.1 50.9 95 100 22.0 11.5 25.3 85.6 24.4 4200 

51 84 83 2.3 201.7 198.5 199.4 196.1 1.65 3.64 64.2 51.0 95 100 22.0 11.8 26.1 85.0 24.4 4190 

52 84 83 2.4 207.6 204.3 205.1 201.8 1.65 3.64 64.3 51.0 94 100 22.0 12.2 26.9 85.0 24.4 4190 

53 84 82 2.5 213.5 210.0 210.9 207.4 1.65 3.64 64.4 51.1 94 100 22.0 12.6 27.8 84.8 24.4 4160 

54 83 82 2.7 219.3 215.7 216.5 213.0 1.65 3.64 64.5 51.2 94 100 22.0 13.0 28.6 84.6 24.4 4160 

55 83 81 2.8 225.1 221.4 222.2 218.5 1.66 3.65 64.6 51.3 94 100 22.0 13.3 29.4 84.3 24.4 4100 

56 83 81 2.9 230.9 227.1 227.8 224.0 1.66 3.65 64.8 51.4 94 101 22.3 13.7 30.2 84.0 24.3 4100 

57 82 80 3.0 236.7 232.7 233.4 229.4 1.66 3.65 64.8 51.4 93 101 22.3 14.1 31.0 83.8 24.3 4095 

58 82 80 3.1 242.4 238.3 238.9 234.9 1.66 3.65 64.8 51.4 93 101 22.3 14.4 31.8 83.1 24.3 4095 

59 81 79 3.3 248.1 243.8 244.4 240.2 1.66 3.66 64.9 51.5 93 101 22.3 14.8 32.6 82.8 24.3 4090 






Haugh 

Units 

Egg Quality 

% 

Solids** 

Breaking 

Strength 



Age 

in 

Weeks 

Curr. 

under Opt. 

Conditions 


Curr. 

under Avg. 

Conditions 

% 

Cum. 

Cum. 

under Opt. 

Conditions 

Hen-Day 

Eggs 

Cum. 

under Avg. 

Conditions 


Cum. 

under Opt. 

Conditions 

Hen-Housed 

Eggs 

Cum. 

under Avg. 

Conditions 




Egg Weight* 

kg lb g/egg 








Net lb/ 

30 doz 

case 

% 

Grade A 

Large and 

Above 

23 oz/doz 

Feed 

Consumption 

g/day 

per 

bird 

lb/day 

per 100 

birds 

Hen-Housed 

Egg Mass 

Cum. 

kg lb 

60 81 78 3.4 253.8 249.3 249.9 245.5 1.66 3.66 65.0 51.6 93 101 22.3 15.1 33.4 82.6 24.3 4080 

61 80 77 3.5 259.4 254.7 255.3 250.7 1.66 3.66 65.1 51.7 93 101 22.3 15.5 34.1 82.4 24.3 4080 

62 80 77 3.7 265.0 260.1 260.7 255.9 1.66 3.66 65.2 51.7 93 101 22.3 15.8 34.9 82.2 24.3 4065 

63 79 76 3.8 270.5 265.4 266.0 261.0 1.66 3.67 65.3 51.8 92 101 22.3 16.2 35.7 82.0 24.3 4065 

64 79 76 4.0 276.0 270.7 271.3 266.1 1.66 3.67 65.3 51.8 92 101 22.3 16.5 36.5 81.9 24.2 4055 

65 78 75 4.1 281.5 275.9 276.6 271.1 1.66 3.67 65.4 51.9 92 101 22.3 16.9 37.2 81.8 24.2 4050 

66 78 75 4.3 286.9 281.2 281.8 276.2 1.66 3.67 65.4 51.9 92 101 22.3 17.2 38.0 81.6 24.2 4005 

67 77 74 4.4 292.3 286.4 286.9 281.1 1.66 3.67 65.5 52.0 92 101 22.3 17.6 38.7 81.5 24.2 4005 

68 76 74 4.6 297.6 291.6 292.0 286.0 1.67 3.68 65.5 52.0 92 102 22.5 17.9 39.5 81.5 24.2 3990 

69 76 74 4.8 303.0 296.7 297.1 291.0 1.67 3.68 65.5 52.0 92 102 22.5 18.2 40.2 81.3 24.2 3990 

70 75 73 4.9 308.2 301.8 302.1 295.8 1.67 3.68 65.6 52.1 92 102 22.5 18.6 41.0 81.1 24.2 3965 

71 74 73 5.1 313.4 307.0 307.0 300.7 1.67 3.68 65.6 52.1 92 102 22.5 18.9 41.7 81.1 24.2 3965 

72 74 72 5.3 318.6 312.0 311.9 305.5 1.67 3.68 65.6 52.1 91 102 22.5 19.2 42.4 81.0 24.2 3945 

73 73 72 5.4 323.7 317.0 316.7 310.2 1.67 3.69 65.6 52.1 91 102 22.5 19.6 43.1 80.9 24.2 3945 

74 73 71 5.6 328.8 322.0 321.5 314.9 1.67 3.69 65.7 52.1 91 102 22.5 19.9 43.9 80.8 24.2 3930 

75 72 71 5.8 333.8 327.0 326.3 319.6 1.67 3.69 65.7 52.1 91 102 22.5 20.2 44.6 80.7 24.2 3930 

76 72 70 6.0 338.9 331.9 331.0 324.2 1.67 3.69 65.8 52.2 91 102 22.5 20.5 45.3 80.5 24.2 3920 

77 71 70 6.2 343.8 336.8 335.7 328.8 1.67 3.69 65.8 52.2 91 102 22.5 20.9 46.0 80.4 24.2 3920 

78 71 69 6.3 348.8 341.6 340.3 333.3 1.68 3.70 65.8 52.2 91 102 22.5 21.2 46.7 80.2 24.1 3900 

79 70 69 6.5 353.7 346.4 344.9 337.8 1.68 3.70 65.9 52.3 91 102 22.5 21.5 47.4 80.1 24.1 3900 

80 70 69 6.7 358.6 351.3 349.5 342.3 1.68 3.70 65.9 52.3 91 103 22.7 21.8 48.1 80.0 24.1 3900 

Haugh 

Units 

Egg Quality 

% 

Solids** 

Breaking 

Strength



100 

95 

90 

85 

80 

75 

70 

65 

60 

55 

50 

45 

40 

35 

30 

25 

20 





15 

0.8 

10 

0.6 

0.4 

5 

Mortality (%) 

0.2 

0 

0.0 

15 20 25 30 35 40 45 50 55 60 65 70 75 80 

Age (weeks) 







5.0 

4.8 

4.6 

4.4 

4.2 

4.0 

3.8 

3.6 

3.4 

3.2 

3.0 

2.8 

2.6 

2.4 

2.2 

2.0 

1.8 

1.6 

1.4 

1.2 

1.0 

Kilograms



Average 

Egg Weight* 


doz case 



% Grade A 



per bird 

lb/day per 

100 birds 



Hen-Housed 

Egg Mass Cum. 

kg lb 

68 44 4.6 289.5 284.0 1.67 3.68 65.5 52.0 92 - - 17.8 39.3 

69 0 4.9 289.5 284.0 1.33 2.93 - - - 36 8.0 17.8 39.3 

70 0 5.1 289.5 284.0 1.27 2.80 - - - 68 15.0 17.8 39.3 

71 5 5.3 289.8 284.4 1.44 3.18 63.0 50.0 93 92 20.3 17.8 39.3 

72 22 5.4 291.4 285.8 1.51 3.32 63.4 50.3 93 96 21.1 17.9 39.5 

73 52 5.5 295.0 289.3 1.56 3.44 63.7 50.6 93 98 21.7 18.1 40.0 

74 77 5.6 300.4 294.4 1.61 3.55 63.9 50.7 93 101 22.2 18.5 40.7 

75 80 5.7 306.0 299.6 1.64 3.62 64.1 50.9 93 100 22.1 18.8 41.5 

76 83 5.8 311.8 305.1 1.66 3.66 64.3 51.0 94 100 22.0 19.2 42.4 

77 84 6.0 317.7 310.6 1.67 3.68 64.5 51.2 93 99 21.9 19.6 43.2 

78 83 6.1 323.5 316.1 1.67 3.69 64.6 51.3 93 99 21.9 20.0 44.0 

79 82 6.2 329.2 321.5 1.67 3.69 64.7 51.3 93 99 21.8 20.3 44.8 

80 81 6.3 334.9 326.8 1.68 3.70 64.7 51.3 93 99 21.8 20.7 45.6 

81 80 6.5 340.5 332.0 1.68 3.70 64.7 51.3 93 99 21.8 21.1 46.4 

82 80 6.6 346.1 337.2 1.68 3.70 64.8 51.4 93 98 21.7 21.4 47.2 

83 79 6.8 351.6 342.4 1.68 3.70 64.8 51.4 93 98 21.7 21.8 48.0 

84 79 6.9 357.2 347.6 1.68 3.71 64.8 51.4 93 98 21.7 22.1 48.8 

85 79 7.1 362.7 352.7 1.68 3.71 64.8 51.4 93 98 21.6 22.5 49.6 

86 78 7.2 368.2 357.8 1.68 3.71 64.9 51.5 93 98 21.6 22.9 50.4 

87 78 7.4 373.6 362.8 1.68 3.71 64.9 51.5 92 98 21.7 23.2 51.2 

88 78 7.5 379.1 367.9 1.68 3.71 64.9 51.5 92 98 21.7 23.6 52.0 

89 77 7.7 384.5 372.8 1.69 3.72 65.0 51.6 92 98 21.7 23.9 52.7 

90 76 7.9 389.8 377.7 1.69 3.72 65.0 51.6 92 99 21.8 24.3 53.5 

91 76 8.0 395.1 382.6 1.69 3.72 65.0 51.6 92 99 21.8 24.6 54.3 

92 75 8.2 400.4 387.5 1.69 3.72 65.1 51.7 92 99 21.8 24.9 55.0 

93 75 8.4 405.6 392.3 1.69 3.72 65.1 51.7 92 99 21.9 25.3 55.8 

94 74 8.6 410.8 397.0 1.69 3.72 65.1 51.7 92 100 21.9 25.6 56.5 

95 74 8.8 416.0 401.7 1.69 3.73 65.2 51.7 92 100 22.0 26.0 57.3 

96 74 9.0 421.2 406.4 1.69 3.73 65.2 51.7 91 100 22.0 26.3 58.0 

97 73 9.2 426.3 411.1 1.69 3.73 65.2 51.7 91 100 22.1 26.6 58.7 

98 73 9.4 431.4 415.7 1.69 3.73 65.2 51.7 91 100 22.2 27.0 59.5 

99 72 9.6 436.4 420.3 1.69 3.73 65.3 51.8 91 101 22.2 27.3 60.2 

100 72 9.8 441.5 424.8 1.69 3.73 65.3 51.8 91 101 22.3 27.6 60.9 

101 71 10.0 446.4 429.3 1.69 3.73 65.3 51.8 91 101 22.3 28.0 61.6 

102 70 10.3 451.3 433.7 1.70 3.74 65.3 51.8 91 101 22.4 28.3 62.3 

103 70 10.5 456.2 438.1 1.70 3.74 65.4 51.9 91 102 22.4 28.6 63.0 

104 70 10.7 461.1 442.4 1.70 3.74 65.4 51.9 90 102 22.5 28.9 63.8 

105 70 11.0 466.0 446.8 1.70 3.74 65.4 51.9 90 102 22.5 29.2 64.5 

106 69 11.2 470.9 451.1 1.70 3.74 65.4 51.9 90 102 22.6 29.5 65.2 

107 69 11.5 475.7 455.4 1.70 3.74 65.5 52.0 90 103 22.6 29.9 65.9 

108 68 11.7 480.4 459.6 1.70 3.74 65.5 52.0 90 103 22.7 30.2 66.5 

109 68 12.0 485.2 463.7 1.70 3.74 65.6 52.1 89 103 22.7 30.5 67.2 

110 67 12.3 489.9 467.9 1.70 3.75 65.6 52.1 89 103 22.8 30.8 67.9 










100 

5.0 

95 

4.8 

90 

4.6 

4.4 

85 

4.2 

80 

4.0 

75 

3.8 

70 

65 


3.6 

3.4 

3.2 

60 

3.0 

55 

2.8 

50 

2.6 

2.4 

45 

2.2 

40 

2.0 

35 


1.8 

30 

1.6 

1.4 

25 

1.2 

20 

1.0 

15 

0.8 

10 

0.6 

0.4 

5 

Mortality (%) 

0.2 

0 

0.0 

15 20 25 30 35 40 45 50 55 60 65 70 75 80 85 90 95 100 105 110 


Age (weeks) 






Kilograms


Age in 

Weeks 

Average 

Egg Weight 

(lb/case) 

Jumbo 

Over 30 

oz/doz 


Extra Large 

27–30 

oz/doz 

Large 

24–27 

oz/doz 

Medium 

21–24 

oz/doz 

Small 

18–21 

oz/doz 



Peewee 

Under 18 

oz/doz 

22 41.0 0.0 1.7 17.1 45.2 30.0 5.9 

24 43.2 0.3 5.3 29.3 44.4 18.6 2.2 

26 45.0 0.8 10.7 38.5 38.6 10.6 0.8 

28 46.3 1.4 15.8 44.5 32.1 5.9 0.3 

30 47.2 1.9 19.8 47.7 26.9 3.5 0.1 

32 47.7 2.1 22.2 49.6 23.7 2.3 0.1 

34 48.1 2.2 24.1 52.0 20.4 1.4 0.0 

36 48.7 2.2 27.6 53.7 15.8 0.6 0.0 

38 49.1 2.2 31.9 54.0 11.6 0.3 0.0 

40 49.4 2.8 34.2 52.3 10.5 0.2 0.0 

42 49.8 3.6 37.7 49.9 8.6 0.2 0.0 

44 50.2 5.0 40.8 46.7 7.4 0.2 0.0 

46 50.6 6.6 43.5 43.4 6.4 0.1 0.0 

48 50.8 7.2 44.2 42.2 6.4 0.1 0.0 

50 50.9 7.9 44.7 41.3 6.0 0.1 0.0 

52 51.0 9.0 45.2 39.8 5.9 0.1 0.0 

54 51.2 10.1 45.7 38.4 5.7 0.1 0.0 

56 51.4 11.2 46.5 36.7 5.5 0.1 0.0 

58 51.4 11.5 46.5 36.4 5.5 0.1 0.0 

60 51.6 12.7 46.6 35.2 5.4 0.1 0.0 

62 51.7 13.7 46.9 34.2 5.1 0.1 0.0 

64 51.8 14.4 46.9 33.5 5.1 0.1 0.0 

66 51.9 15.0 46.9 33.0 5.0 0.1 0.0 

68 52.0 16.0 46.5 32.5 5.0 0.1 0.0 

70 52.1 16.9 46.1 32.0 5.0 0.1 0.0 

72 52.1 16.9 46.1 32.0 5.0 0.1 0.0 

74 52.1 17.9 45.6 31.5 5.0 0.1 0.0 

76 52.2 18.3 45.8 30.9 5.0 0.1 0.0 

78 52.2 18.7 45.7 30.7 4.9 0.1 0.0 

80 52.3 19.2 45.4 30.3 4.9 0.1 0.0 







Age in 

Weeks 

Average 



Very Large 

Over 73 g 

Large 

63–73 g 

Medium 

53–63 g 



Small 

43–53 g 

22 51.6 0.0 2.5 38.0 59.5 

24 54.4 0.1 7.2 52.1 40.6 

26 56.7 0.3 14.0 59.2 26.5 

28 58.4 0.5 20.5 61.8 17.2 

30 59.5 0.7 25.5 61.9 11.8 

32 60.1 0.8 28.5 61.8 9.0 

34 60.6 0.8 31.4 61.3 6.4 

36 61.3 0.9 35.2 60.1 3.8 

38 61.9 0.9 39.3 57.6 2.2 

40 62.3 1.0 43.0 54.2 1.8 

42 62.8 1.2 47.1 50.3 1.5 

44 63.3 1.8 50.9 46.1 1.3 

46 63.8 2.5 54.2 42.2 1.1 

48 64.0 2.8 55.1 41.0 1.1 

50 64.1 3.2 55.9 39.9 1.0 

52 64.3 3.8 56.7 38.5 1.0 

54 64.5 4.5 57.4 37.2 1.0 

56 64.8 5.1 58.5 35.5 1.0 

58 64.8 5.6 58.9 34.5 1.0 

60 65.0 6.2 59.0 33.9 1.0 

62 65.2 6.7 59.7 32.7 1.0 

64 65.3 7.3 59.8 32.0 1.0 

66 65.4 7.6 59.9 31.6 1.0 

68 65.5 8.3 59.6 31.1 1.0 

70 65.6 9.0 59.3 30.8 0.9 

72 65.6 9.1 59.2 30.7 0.9 

74 65.7 9.5 59.2 30.4 0.9 

76 65.8 10.1 58.9 30.1 0.9 

78 65.8 10.6 58.6 29.9 0.9 

80 65.9 10.8 58.6 29.8 0.9 








Growing Period Nutritional Recommendations—W-98 










Lysine, % 1.00 0.92 0.82 0.69 0.69 

Methionine, % 0.45 0.43 0.40 0.35 0.34 


Threonine, % 0.65 0.60 0.53 0.46 0.46 

Tryptophan, % 0.17 0.17 0.16 0.14 0.14 

Arginine, % 1.07 0.98 0.88 0.74 0.74 

Isoleucine, % 0.70 0.66 0.61 0.52 0.55 

Valine, % 0.72 0.68 0.64 0.55 0.59 



Lysine, % 1.09 1.01 0.90 0.76 0.76 

Methionine, % 0.48 0.46 0.43 0.38 0.36 


Threonine, % 0.76 0.70 0.63 0.54 0.54 

Tryptophan, % 0.20 0.20 0.19 0.16 0.16 

Arginine, % 1.15 1.06 0.94 0.79 0.79 

Isoleucine, % 0.75 0.71 0.65 0.56 0.59 

Valine, % 0.79 0.75 0.71 0.61 0.65 


Calcium, 4 % 1.00 1.00 1.00 1.40 2.75 


Sodium, % 0.19 0.19 0.18 0.18 0.18 

Chloride, % 0.19 0.19 0.18 0.18 0.18 


















86 to 82% 



Less than 82% 








Lysine, mg/day 790 760 720 685 







Valine, mg/day 711 684 648 617 




Lysine, mg/day 865 832 788 750 







Valine, mg/day 784 754 715 680 


Calcium, 4 g/day 4.10 4.25 4.40 4.55 


Sodium, mg/day 180 180 180 180 



Choline, mg/day 100 100 100 100 

















86 to 82% 



Less than 82% 







g/day per hen 84 89 94* 99 104 88 93 98* 103 108 90 95 100* 105 110 91 96 101* 106 111 

lb/day per 100 hens 18.5 19.6 20.7 21.8 22.9 19.4 20.5 21.6 22.7 23.8 19.8 20.9 22.1 23.2 24.3 20.1 21.2 22.3 23.4 24.5 


Lysine, % 0.94 0.89 0.84 0.80 0.76 0.86 0.82 0.78 0.74 0.70 0.80 0.76 0.72 0.69 0.65 0.75 0.71 0.68 0.65 0.62 

Methionine, % 0.46 0.43 0.41 0.39 0.37 0.42 0.40 0.38 0.36 0.34 0.39 0.37 0.35 0.34 0.32 0.37 0.35 0.33 0.32 0.30 


Threonine, % 0.66 0.62 0.59 0.56 0.53 0.60 0.57 0.54 0.52 0.49 0.56 0.53 0.50 0.48 0.46 0.53 0.50 0.48 0.45 0.43 

Tryptophan, % 0.20 0.19 0.18 0.17 0.16 0.18 0.17 0.16 0.16 0.15 0.17 0.16 0.15 0.14 0.14 0.16 0.15 0.14 0.14 0.13 

Arginine, % 1.01 0.95 0.90 0.85 0.81 0.92 0.87 0.83 0.79 0.75 0.86 0.81 0.77 0.73 0.70 0.81 0.76 0.73 0.69 0.66 

Isoleucine, % 0.74 0.70 0.66 0.63 0.60 0.68 0.65 0.61 0.58 0.56 0.63 0.60 0.57 0.54 0.52 0.59 0.56 0.54 0.51 0.49 

Valine, % 0.85 0.80 0.76 0.72 0.68 0.78 0.74 0.70 0.66 0.63 0.72 0.68 0.65 0.62 0.59 0.68 0.64 0.61 0.58 0.56 


Lysine, % 1.03 0.97 0.92 0.87 0.83 0.95 0.89 0.85 0.81 0.77 0.88 0.83 0.79 0.75 0.72 0.82 0.78 0.74 0.71 0.68 

Methionine, % 0.50 0.47 0.44 0.42 0.40 0.45 0.43 0.41 0.39 0.37 0.42 0.40 0.38 0.36 0.34 0.40 0.38 0.36 0.34 0.33 


Threonine, % 0.78 0.73 0.69 0.66 0.63 0.71 0.67 0.64 0.61 0.58 0.66 0.62 0.59 0.56 0.54 0.62 0.59 0.56 0.53 0.51 

Tryptophan, % 0.24 0.22 0.21 0.20 0.19 0.22 0.21 0.19 0.19 0.18 0.20 0.19 0.18 0.17 0.16 0.19 0.18 0.17 0.16 0.15 

Arginine, % 1.08 1.02 0.97 0.92 0.87 0.99 0.94 0.89 0.85 0.81 0.92 0.87 0.83 0.79 0.75 0.87 0.82 0.78 0.74 0.71 

Isoleucine, % 0.80 0.75 0.71 0.68 0.65 0.73 0.69 0.66 0.63 0.60 0.68 0.64 0.61 0.58 0.56 0.64 0.61 0.58 0.55 0.52 

Valine, % 0.93 0.88 0.83 0.79 0.75 0.86 0.81 0.77 0.73 0.70 0.79 0.75 0.72 0.68 0.65 0.75 0.71 0.67 0.64 0.61 

Crude protein 

(nitrogen × 6.25), 3 % 

19.64 18.54 17.55 16.67 15.87 18.18 17.20 16.33 15.53 14.81 17.22 16.32 15.50 14.76 14.09 16.48 15.63 14.85 14.15 13.51 

Calcium, 4 % 4.88 4.61 4.36 4.14 3.94 4.83 4.57 4.34 4.13 3.94 4.89 4.63 4.40 4.19 4.00 5.00 4.74 4.50 4.29 4.10 


Sodium, % 0.21 0.20 0.19 0.18 0.17 0.20 0.19 0.18 0.17 0.17 0.20 0.19 0.18 0.17 0.16 0.20 0.19 0.18 0.17 0.16 

Chloride, % 0.21 0.20 0.19 0.18 0.17 0.20 0.19 0.18 0.17 0.17 0.20 0.19 0.18 0.17 0.16 0.20 0.19 0.18 0.17 0.16 










































Calcium, 3 % 1.30 


Sodium, 4 % 0.03 

























Peaking 



Calcium, 1 % 5.06 4.78 4.53 4.30 4.10 





Calcium, 1 % 5.24 4.94 4.68 4.45 4.24 





Calcium, 1 % 5.11 4.84 4.60 4.38 4.18 





Calcium, 1 % 5.05 4.80 4.57 4.36 4.17 





77 to 75% 


Less than 75% 


Calcium, g/day 4.30 4.45 4.60 4.80 









Contents 







Health 



Vitamins 


—— 






—— 





Stock 












Hy-Line Gray growing period nutritional recommendations 






Item 1 


grams 

Starter 

1 

Starter 

2 


Prelay 

6 

190 390 1170 1370 1490 




kcal/lb 


kcal/kg 


MJ/kg 

1250-1360 1250-1360 1240-1360 1240-1360 1240- 

1360 

2755-3000 2755-3000 2735-3000 2735-3000 2735- 

3000 

11.55- 

12.55 



11.55- 

12.55 

11.45- 

12.55 

11.45-12.55 11.45- 

12.55 

Lysine, % 1.00 0.91 0.82 0.69 0.73 

Methionine, % 0.45 0.41 0.38 0.32 0.34 


Threonine, % 0.66 0.61 0.56 0.48 0.51 

Tryptophan, % 0.17 0.16 0.16 0.14 0.15 

Arginine, % 1.07 0.97 0.88 0.74 0.78

Isoleucine, % 0.70 0.66 0.61 0.52 0.58 

Valine, % 0.72 0.67 0.64 0.55 0.62 


Lysine, % 1.09 1.00 0.90 0.76 0.80 

Methionine, % 0.48 0.44 0.41 0.35 0.37 


Threonine, % 0.78 0.72 0.66 0.56 0.60 

Tryptophan, % 0.20 0.20 0.20 0.17 0.18 

Arginine, % 1.15 1.05 0.94 0.79 0.84 

Isoleucine, % 0.75 0.70 0.65 0.56 0.63 

Valine, % 0.79 0.74 0.71 0.61 0.68 


% 20.00 19.00 17.50 15.50 16.00 

Calcium, 4 % 1.0 1.0 1.0 1.4 2.5 


Sodium (Na), % 0.18 0.18 0.18 0.18 0.18 

Chloride, % 0.18 0.18 0.18 0.18 0.18 


















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Contents 







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Vitamins 


—— 






—— 





Stock 












Hy-Line Gray laying period nutritional recommendations 

The nutrient recommendations are based on supplying a given amount (in grams 

or milligrams) of nutrients per day (Table 1). To convert these absolute values 

into a percentage of the diet, one must know the feed intake (Tables 2 to 5) in 

order to formulate the laying-hen diets according to the observed feed intake to 

ensure the daily consumption of the recommended grams or milligrams of 

nutrients. See also the Feeding the Laying Hen and the Suggested Nutrition 

Program sections for information of how to implement the laying-period 


Table 1. Hy-Line Gray laying period nutritional recommendations. 

Item 


90% egg 

production 

Approximate 

age, weeks 

Point-oflay 

to 32 


Metabolizable 


Metabolizable 


Metabolizable 

energy, MJ/kg 

1260- 

1300 

2780- 

2865 

11.65- 

12.00 



89-83% 

egg 

production 

Less than 

83% egg 

production 

33-44 45-58 59+ 

1250-1300 1225-1300 1225-1300 

2755-2865 2700-2865 2700-2865 

11.55-12.00 11.30-12.00 11.30-12.00 

Lysine, mg/day 810 775 740 705 

Methionine, 

mg/day 

397 357 340 317 

Methionine + 664 605 570 529


Threonine, 

mg/day 

Tryptophan, 

mg/day 

Arginine, 

mg/day 

Isoleucine, 

mg/day 

567 543 518 494 

170 163 155 148 

867 829 792 754 

640 612 585 557 

Valine, mg/day 729 698 666 635 


Lysine, mg/day 887 849 810 772 

Methionine, 

mg/day 

Methionine + 


Threonine, 

mg/day 

Tryptophan, 

mg/day 

Arginine, 

mg/day 

Isoleucine, 

mg/day 

427 383 366 341 

749 682 643 596 

663 638 609 581 

203 195 186 177 

932 892 851 811 

688 658 629 599 

Valine, mg/day 804 769 735 700 

Crude protein 

(N × 6.25), 3 

g/day 17.50 17.00 16.00 15.00 

Calcium, 4 

g/day 

Phosphorus 


mg/day 

Sodium (Na), 

mg/day 

Chloride, 

mg/day 

Linoleic acid 

(C18:2 n-6), 

g/day 

Choline, 

mg/day 

4.00 4.25 4.45 4.60 

460 420 380 360 

180 180 180 180 

180 180 180 180 

1.0 1.0 1.0 1.0 

100 100 100 100

1Consumption of balanced protein, fat, linoleic acid may be changed to optimize egg weight. See 

also the Nutrition and Egg Weight section. 

2The recommended energy range is based on the energy values shown for the individual feed 

ingredients. Differences in the metabolizable energy value assigned to feed ingredients of the same 

name can differ substantially among regions; in some cases, the dietary recommended energy 

content may have to be adjusted accordingly (see the Energy section). As a general rule, the higher 

energy concentrations shown are appropriate for the lower feed intakes within a phase. 

3The minimum recommendations for total amino acids and crude protein are only appropriate with a 

corn (maize) and soybean meal diet; please formulate the diet on a digestible amino acid basis. 

4Approximately 65% of the added calcium carbonate (limestone) should be in particle sizes of 2-4 

mm. See also the Nutrition and Eggshell Quality section. 

5Digestible phosphorus is sometimes preferred over available phoshporus. However, there are 

insufficient data available to make recommendations about a minimum dietary content of digestible 

phosphorus. Instead, use the available-phoshorus recommendations and the available-phosphorus 

contents of feed ingredients. 


Recommended energy concentration: 2 1260-1300 kcal/lb, 2780-2865 kcal/kg, 

11.65-12.00 MJ/kg 




Lysine, % 0.94 0.89 0.85 0.81 0.77 

Methionine, % 0.46 0.44 0.42 0.40 0.38 


Threonine, % 0.66 0.63 0.60 0.57 0.54 

Tryptophan, % 0.20 0.19 0.18 0.17 0.16 

Arginine, % 1.01 0.96 0.91 0.87 0.83 

Isoleucine, % 0.75 0.71 0.67 0.64 0.61 

Valine, % 0.85 0.81 0.77 0.73 0.70 


Lysine, % 1.03 0.98 0.93 0.89 0.85 

Methionine, % 0.50 0.47 0.45 0.43 0.41 


Threonine, % 0.78 0.74 0.70 0.67 0.64 

Tryptophan, % 0.24 0.22 0.21 0.20 0.19 

Arginine, % 1.09 1.03 0.98 0.93 0.89 

Isoleucine, % 0.80 0.76 0.72 0.69 0.66 

Valine, % 0.94 0.89 0.84 0.80 0.77


Calcium, 4 % 4.44 4.21 4.00 3.81 3.64 


Sodium (Na), % 0.20 0.19 0.18 0.17 0.16 

Chloride, % 0.20 0.19 0.18 0.17 0.16 




















11.55-12.00 MJ/kg 




Lysine, % 0.78 0.74 0.70 0.67 0.65 

Methionine, % 0.36 0.34 0.32 0.31 0.30 


Threonine, % 0.54 0.52 0.49 0.47 0.45 

Tryptophan, % 0.16 0.16 0.15 0.14 0.14 

Arginine, % 0.83 0.79 0.75 0.72 0.69 

Isoleucine, % 0.61 0.58 0.56 0.53 0.51 

Valine, % 0.70 0.66 0.63 0.61 0.58 


Lysine, % 0.85 0.81 0.77 0.74 0.71 

Methionine, % 0.38 0.36 0.35 0.33 0.32


Threonine, % 0.64 0.61 0.58 0.55 0.53 

Tryptophan, % 0.20 0.19 0.18 0.17 0.16 

Arginine, % 0.89 0.85 0.81 0.78 0.74 

Isoleucine, % 0.66 0.63 0.60 0.57 0.55 

Valine, % 0.77 0.73 0.70 0.67 0.64 


Calcium, 4 % 4.25 4.05 3.86 3.70 3.54 


Sodium (Na), % 0.18 0.17 0.16 0.16 0.15 

Chloride, % 0.18 0.17 0.16 0.16 0.15 




















11.30-12.00 MJ/kg 




Lysine, % 0.74 0.70 0.67 0.64 0.62 

Methionine, % 0.34 0.32 0.31 0.30 0.28 


Threonine, % 0.52 0.49 0.47 0.45 0.43 

Tryptophan, % 0.16 0.15 0.14 0.13 0.13

Arginine, % 0.79 0.75 0.72 0.69 0.66 

Isoleucine, % 0.59 0.56 0.53 0.51 0.49 

Valine, % 0.67 0.63 0.61 0.58 0.56 


Lysine, % 0.81 0.77 0.74 0.70 0.68 

Methionine, % 0.37 0.35 0.33 0.32 0.31 


Threonine, % 0.61 0.58 0.55 0.53 0.51 

Tryptophan, % 0.19 0.18 0.17 0.16 0.16 

Arginine, % 0.85 0.81 0.77 0.74 0.71 

Isoleucine, % 0.63 0.60 0.57 0.55 0.52 

Valine, % 0.74 0.70 0.67 0.64 0.61 


Calcium, 4 % 4.45 4.24 4.05 3.87 3.71 


Sodium (Na), % 0.18 0.17 0.16 0.16 0.15 

Chloride, % 0.18 0.17 0.16 0.16 0.15 




















11.30-12.00 MJ/kg 


Feed consumption, lb/day per 100 hens 22.1 23.2 24.3* 25.4 26.5


Lysine, % 0.71 0.67 0.64 0.61 0.59 

Methionine, % 0.32 0.30 0.29 0.28 0.26 


Threonine, % 0.49 0.47 0.45 0.43 0.41 

Tryptophan, % 0.15 0.14 0.13 0.13 0.12 

Arginine, % 0.75 0.72 0.69 0.66 0.63 

Isoleucine, % 0.56 0.53 0.51 0.48 0.46 

Valine, % 0.64 0.60 0.58 0.55 0.53 


Lysine, % 0.77 0.74 0.70 0.67 0.64 

Methionine, % 0.34 0.32 0.30 0.30 0.28 


Threonine, % 0.58 0.55 0.53 0.51 0.48 

Tryptophan, % 0.18 0.17 0.16 0.15 0.15 

Arginine, % 0.81 0.77 0.74 0.71 0.68 

Isoleucine, % 0.60 0.57 0.54 0.52 0.50 

Valine, % 0.70 0.67 0.64 0.61 0.58 


Calcium, 4 % 4.60 4.38 4.18 4.00 3.83 


Sodium (Na), % 0.18 0.17 0.16 0.16 0.15 

Chloride, % 0.18 0.17 0.16 0.16 0.15 
















phosphorus. Instead, use the available-phoshorus recommendations and the available-phosphorus




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Contents 







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Vitamins 


—— 






—— 





Stock 




Suggested Nutrition Program for Hy-Line Gray 













For the Hy-Line Gray, the following suggested diet program is used with success 






















feed consumption reaches about 105 g/day, which typically occurs around 26 to 27 

weeks of age. 


















around 35 weeks of age, and is therefore slightly less concentrated than Diet 2. The 

feed intake of the Hy-Line Gray does not change much after this time, so subsequent 

diet changes are governed mainly by controlling egg weight, maintaining eggshell 

quality, and reducing diet cost (the latter as the hens' energy and nutrient needs



Diet matrix 













Suggested diet matrix for Hy-Line Gray. 1,2 The matrix is intended for a flock 


climates, the normal postpeak feed intake may be closer to 105 g/day and closer to 115 

g/day in cooler climates in which case the matrix should be adjusted accordingly. 

Age 






















g/day again.




Capabilities of the Hy-Line Gray 

Livability 96–98% 

Feed Consumed 6.0 kg 

Body Weight at 17 Weeks 1.43 kg 


Percent Peak 94% 

Hen-Day Eggs to 60 Weeks 248 



Hen-Housed Eggs to 60 Weeks 245 






Egg Weight at 26 Weeks 57.0 g/egg 



Total Egg Mass per Hen-Day (19–74 weeks) 20.3 kg 




Freedom from Egg Inclusions Excellent 




Average Daily Feed Consumption (19–80 weeks) 108 g/day per bird 

Feed Conversion Rate, kg Feed/kg Eggs (21–60 weeks) 1.97 


Feed Utilization, kg Egg/kg Feed (21–60 weeks) 0.51 


Feed per Dozen Eggs (21–60 weeks) 1.46 kg 


Feather Color White with Buff Spotting 

Skin Color Yellow 









Target Weights of Hy-Line Gray Pullets 



Weeks g lb 

1 70 0.15 

2 115 0.25 

3 190 0.42 

4 280 0.62 

5 380 0.84 

6 490 1.08 

7 590 1.30 

8 710 1.57 

9 810 1.79 

10 920 2.03 

11 1020 2.25 

12 1120 2.47 

13 1190 2.62 

14 1260 2.78 

15 1330 2.93 

16 1400 3.09 

17** 1460 3.22 

18 1520 3.35 











Growing Period Feed Consumption*—Gray 




weeks g/day per bird kcal/day per bird g to date kcal to date 

1 13 37 91 259 

2 20 57 231 658 

3 25 72 406 1162 

4 29 83 609 1743 

5 33 95 840 2408 

6 37 106 1099 3150 

7 41 114 1386 3948 

8 46 128 1708 4844 

9 51 141 2065 5831 

10 56 155 2457 6916 

11 61 169 2884 8099 

12 66 183 3346 9380 

13 70 189 3836 10703 

14 73 197 4347 12082 

15 75 203 4872 13503 

16 77 212 5411 14987 

17 78 220 5957 16527 









Water Consumption for Hy-Line Gray Pullets and Layers 




1 

2 

3 

4 

5 

6 

7 

8 

9 

10–15 

16–20 

21–25* 

Over 25* 


0.8–1.1 0.20–0.30 

1.1–1.9 0.30–0.50 

1.7–2.7 0.45–0.70 

2.5–3.8 0.65–1.00 

3.4–4.7 0.90–1.25 

4.5–5.7 1.20–1.50 

5.7–6.8 1.50–1.80 

6.1–8.0 1.60–2.10 

6.4–9.5 1.70–2.50 

6.8–10.2 1.80–2.70 

7.2–15.2 1.90–4.00 

9.9–18.2 2.60–4.80 

15.2–20.8 4.00–5.50 








Age 

in Weeks 

% 

Hen-Day 


% 

Mortality 

Hen-Day 

Eggs 

Hy-Line Gray Performance Table 

Hen-Housed 

Eggs 


Egg Weight* 

Feed 

Consumption 

Hen-Housed 

Egg Mass Cum. 

Cum. Cum. Cum. kg g/egg g/day per bird kg 

Haugh 

Units 



Egg Quality 

Shell 

Thickness 

(mm) 

Specifi c Gravity 

19 6 0.1 0.40 0.4 1.51 43.0 81 0.0 100.6 0.349 1.088 

20 20 0.1 1.8 1.8 1.61 46.0 85 0.1 100.1 0.349 1.088 

21 46 0.1 5.0 5.0 1.69 49.0 90 0.2 99.7 0.348 1.088 

22 69 0.2 9.8 9.8 1.73 51.0 95 0.5 99.2 0.348 1.088 

23 83 0.2 15.7 15.6 1.75 54.0 98 0.8 98.8 0.348 1.087 

24 89 0.3 21.9 21.9 1.76 55.0 100 1.1 98.4 0.348 1.087 

25 92 0.3 28.4 28.3 1.78 56.0 102 1.5 98.0 0.348 1.087 

26 93 0.4 34.9 34.8 1.79 57.0 104 1.9 97.6 0.348 1.087 

27 94 0.4 41.5 41.3 1.80 58.0 106 2.3 97.2 0.347 1.087 

28 94 0.5 48.1 47.9 1.82 59.0 107 2.6 96.8 0.347 1.087 

29 94 0.5 54.6 54.5 1.83 60.0 108 3.0 96.4 0.347 1.087 

30 94 0.6 61.2 61.0 1.84 60.0 108 3.4 96.0 0.347 1.086 

31 94 0.6 67.8 67.5 1.85 61.0 109 3.8 95.6 0.347 1.086 

32 94 0.7 74.4 74.1 1.86 61.0 109 4.2 95.2 0.347 1.086 

33 94 0.7 80.9 80.6 1.87 61.0 109 4.6 94.8 0.347 1.086 

34 94 0.8 87.5 87.1 1.87 62.0 109 5.0 94.5 0.347 1.086 

35 93 0.8 94.0 93.5 1.88 62.0 110 5.4 94.1 0.347 1.086 

36 93 0.9 100.5 100.0 1.88 62.0 110 5.9 93.7 0.347 1.086 

37 93 0.9 107.0 106.4 1.88 63.0 110 6.3 93.3 0.346 1.086 

38 93 1.0 113.5 112.9 1.89 63.0 110 6.7 93.0 0.346 1.085 

39 92 1.0 120.0 119.2 1.89 63.0 110 7.1 92.6 0.346 1.085 

40 92 1.1 126.4 125.6 1.89 63.0 110 7.5 92.2 0.346 1.085 

41 92 1.2 132.8 132.0 1.89 63.0 110 7.9 91.8 0.346 1.085 

42 91 1.2 139.2 138.3 1.89 64.0 110 8.3 91.5 0.345 1.085 

43 91 1.3 145.5 144.5 1.89 64.0 110 8.7 91.1 0.345 1.085 

44 90 1.3 151.8 150.8 1.90 64.0 110 9.1 90.7 0.345 1.085 

45 89 1.4 158.1 156.9 1.90 64.0 110 9.5 90.4 0.345 1.084 

46 89 1.4 164.3 163.1 1.90 64.0 110 9.9 90.0 0.345 1.084 

47 88 1.5 170.5 169.2 1.90 64.0 110 10.3 89.7 0.345 1.084 

48 88 1.6 176.7 175.2 1.90 64.0 110 10.7 89.4 0.345 1.084 

49 88 1.6 182.8 181.3 1.90 64.0 110 11.1 89.0 0.345 1.084 

50 87 1.7 188.9 187.2 1.90 64.0 110 11.5 88.7 0.345 1.084 

51 86 1.8 195.0 193.2 1.90 65.0 110 11.9 88.4 0.345 1.084 

52 86 1.9 201.0 199.1 1.90 65.0 110 12.3 88.1 0.344 1.083 

53 85 1.9 206.9 204.9 1.90 65.0 110 12.7 87.8 0.344 1.083 

54 85 2.0 212.9 210.8 1.91 65.0 110 13.0 87.4 0.344 1.083 

55 84 2.1 218.8 216.5 1.91 65.0 110 13.4 87.1 0.344 1.083 

56 84 2.1 224.6 222.2 1.91 65.0 110 13.8 86.9 0.344 1.083 

57 83 2.2 230.4 227.9 1.91 65.0 110 14.2 86.5 0.343 1.083 

58 83 2.3 236.2 233.6 1.91 65.0 110 14.6 86.3 0.343 1.083 

59 82 2.3 241.9 239.2 1.91 65.0 110 14.9 86.0 0.343 1.083 

60 82 2.4 247.6 244.7 1.91 65.0 110 15.3 85.7 0.343 1.082 







Age 

in Weeks 

% 

Hen-Day 

% 

Mortality 

Hen-Day 

Eggs 


Hen-Housed 

Eggs 


Egg Weight* 

Feed 

Consumption 

Hen-Housed 

Egg Mass Cum. 




80 70 4.5 353.3 346.8 1.92 67.3 110 22.3 80.8 0.341 1.080 







Haugh 

Units 

Egg Quality 

Shell 

Thickness 

(mm) 


61 81 2.5 253.3 250.3 1.91 65.0 110 15.7 85.4 0.343 1.082 

62 81 2.6 258.9 255.7 1.91 65.0 110 16.0 85.2 0.343 1.082 

63 80 2.7 264.5 261.2 1.91 65.0 110 16.4 84.9 0.343 1.082 

64 79 2.7 270.1 266.6 1.91 65.0 110 16.8 84.7 0.343 1.082 

65 79 2.8 275.6 272.0 1.91 65.0 110 17.1 84.4 0.343 1.082 

66 78 2.9 281.1 277.3 1.91 66.0 110 17.5 84.1 0.343 1.082 

67 78 3.0 286.5 282.5 1.92 66.0 110 17.8 83.8 0.342 1.081 

68 77 3.1 291.9 287.8 1.92 66.0 110 18.2 83.5 0.342 1.081 

69 76 3.2 297.2 292.9 1.92 66.0 110 18.5 83.3 0.342 1.081 

70 76 3.3 302.6 298.1 1.92 66.0 110 18.9 83.0 0.342 1.081 

71 75 3.4 307.8 303.2 1.92 66.2 110 19.2 82.8 0.342 1.081 

72 75 3.5 313.0 308.2 1.92 66.3 110 19.6 82.6 0.342 1.081 

73 74 3.6 318.2 313.2 1.92 66.5 110 19.9 82.4 0.341 1.081 

74 73 3.8 323.4 318.1 1.92 66.6 110 20.3 82.1 0.341 1.080 

75 73 3.9 328.5 323.0 1.92 66.7 110 20.6 81.9 0.341 1.080 

76 72 4.0 333.5 327.9 1.92 66.8 110 21.0 81.7 0.341 1.080 

77 72 4.1 338.5 332.7 1.92 66.9 110 21.3 81.4 0.341 1.080 

78 71 4.2 343.5 337.4 1.92 67.1 110 21.6 81.2 0.341 1.080 

79 70 4.4 348.4 342.2 1.92 67.2 110 22.0 81.0 0.341 1.080



100 

95 

90 

85 

80 

75 

70 

65 

60 

55 

50 

45 

40 

35 

30 

25 

20 





15 

0.8 

10 

0.6 

0.4 

5 

Mortality (%) 

0.2 

0 

0.0 

15 20 25 30 35 40 45 50 55 60 65 70 75 80 

Age (weeks) 







5.0 

4.8 

4.6 

4.4 

4.2 

4.0 

3.8 

3.6 

3.4 

3.2 

3.0 

2.8 

2.6 

2.4 

2.2 

2.0 

1.8 

1.6 

1.4 

1.2 

1.0 

Kilograms


Age in 

Weeks 

Average 



Very Large 

Over 73 g 

Large 

63–73 g 

Medium 

53–63 g 



Small 

43–53 g 

22 51.0 0.00 0.62 33.23 61.37 

24 55.0 0.02 5.82 59.42 33.82 

26 57.0 0.13 12.75 64.60 22.11 

28 59.0 0.41 22.11 64.60 12.75 

30 60.0 0.62 27.58 62.89 8.86 

32 61.0 0.82 33.64 60.06 5.46 

34 62.0 1.24 40.68 54.77 3.31 

36 62.0 1.24 40.68 54.77 3.31 

38 63.0 1.86 48.14 48.14 1.86 

40 63.0 1.86 48.14 48.14 1.86 

42 64.0 3.04 50.21 45.01 1.74 

44 64.0 3.31 54.12 41.14 1.43 

46 64.0 3.31 54.12 41.14 1.43 

48 64.0 3.59 54.33 40.68 1.39 

50 64.0 3.59 54.33 40.68 1.39 

52 65.0 5.84 57.42 35.62 1.12 

54 65.0 5.84 57.42 35.62 1.12 

56 65.0 6.20 57.78 34.97 1.05 

58 65.0 6.20 57.78 34.97 1.05 

60 65.0 6.56 57.78 34.61 1.05 

62 65.0 6.56 57.78 34.61 1.05 

64 65.0 6.56 57.78 34.61 1.05 

66 66.0 9.74 60.90 28.56 0.80 

68 66.0 9.74 60.90 28.56 0.80 

70 66.0 10.16 60.48 28.56 0.80 

72 66.3 11.16 61.42 26.65 0.78 

74 66.6 12.23 61.42 25.64 0.71 

76 66.8 13.41 61.31 24.59 0.69 

78 67.1 14.60 61.24 23.49 0.67 

80 67.3 15.87 61.20 22.31 0.63 







Age in 

Weeks 

Average 


Egg Size Distribution—Japanese Standards 

Over 

76 g 

LL 

70–76 g 

L 

64–70 g 

M 

58–64 g 

MS 

52–58 g 

S 

46–52 g 

SS 

40–46 g 


20 46.0 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.45 9.15 40.39 40.39 9.61 

22 51.0 0.00 0.00 0.33 6.90 34.51 43.37 13.78 1.10 

24 55.0 0.00 0.16 3.72 23.94 44.36 23.94 3.72 0.16 

26 57.0 0.02 0.69 8.62 33.19 40.21 15.38 1.83 0.07 

28 59.0 0.07 1.83 15.38 40.21 33.19 8.62 0.69 0.02 

30 60.0 0.10 2.62 19.36 42.89 28.83 5.84 0.35 0.01 

32 61.0 0.16 3.46 23.83 45.15 23.81 3.46 0.13 0.00 

34 62.0 0.21 4.91 29.03 45.13 18.65 2.01 0.05 0.00 

36 62.0 0.21 4.91 29.03 45.13 18.65 2.01 0.05 0.00 

38 63.0 0.34 6.54 34.51 43.37 14.15 1.08 0.02 0.00 

40 63.0 0.34 6.90 34.51 43.37 13.78 1.08 0.02 0.00 

42 64.0 0.62 9.94 38.96 39.44 10.22 0.80 0.02 0.00 

44 64.0 0.72 10.32 38.96 38.96 10.22 0.80 0.02 0.00 

46 64.0 0.72 10.32 38.96 38.96 10.22 0.80 0.02 0.00 

48 64.0 0.82 10.69 38.96 38.49 10.22 0.80 0.02 0.00 

50 64.0 0.82 10.69 38.96 38.49 10.22 0.80 0.02 0.00 

52 65.0 1.55 14.79 41.43 33.73 7.95 0.53 0.01 0.00 

54 65.0 1.55 14.79 41.43 33.73 7.95 0.53 0.01 0.00 

56 65.0 1.72 15.09 40.81 33.54 8.29 0.53 0.01 0.00 

58 65.0 1.72 15.09 40.81 33.54 8.29 0.53 0.01 0.00 

60 65.0 1.90 15.38 40.21 33.25 8.72 0.53 0.01 0.00 

62 65.0 1.90 15.38 40.21 33.25 8.72 0.53 0.01 0.00 

64 65.0 1.90 15.38 40.21 33.25 8.72 0.53 0.01 0.00 

66 66.0 3.20 19.74 41.50 28.63 6.45 0.47 0.01 0.00 

68 66.0 3.20 19.74 41.50 28.63 6.45 0.47 0.01 0.00 

70 66.0 3.45 19.90 41.20 28.52 6.45 0.47 0.01 0.00 

72 66.3 3.89 21.17 41.06 27.23 6.18 0.45 0.01 0.00 

74 66.6 4.37 22.45 41.06 25.93 5.78 0.40 0.01 0.00 

76 66.8 5.02 23.36 40.73 25.05 5.42 0.40 0.01 0.00 

78 67.1 5.60 24.63 40.73 23.79 4.90 0.34 0.01 0.00 

80 67.3 6.35 25.44 40.16 22.99 4.73 0.32 0.01 0.00 






Under 

40 g



Growing Period Nutritional Recommendations—Gray 










Lysine, % 1.00 0.91 0.82 0.69 0.73 

Methionine, % 0.45 0.41 0.38 0.32 0.34 


Threonine, % 0.66 0.61 0.56 0.48 0.51 

Tryptophan, % 0.17 0.16 0.16 0.14 0.15 

Arginine, % 1.07 0.97 0.88 0.74 0.78 

Isoleucine, % 0.70 0.66 0.61 0.52 0.58 

Valine, % 0.72 0.67 0.64 0.55 0.62 



Lysine, % 1.09 1.00 0.90 0.76 0.80 

Methionine, % 0.48 0.44 0.41 0.35 0.37 


Threonine, % 0.78 0.72 0.66 0.56 0.60 

Tryptophan, % 0.20 0.20 0.20 0.17 0.18 

Arginine, % 1.15 1.05 0.94 0.79 0.84 

Isoleucine, % 0.75 0.70 0.65 0.56 0.63 

Valine, % 0.79 0.74 0.71 0.61 0.68 


Calcium, 4 % 1.00 1.00 1.00 1.40 2.50 


Sodium, % 0.18 0.18 0.18 0.18 0.18 

Chloride, % 0.18 0.18 0.18 0.18 0.18 


















89 to 83% 



Less than 83% 








Lysine, mg/day 810 775 740 705 







Valine, mg/day 729 698 666 635 


Laying Period Nutritional Recommendations—Gray 


Lysine, mg/day 887 849 810 772 







Valine, mg/day 804 769 735 700 


Calcium, 4 g/day 4.00 4.25 4.45 4.60 


Sodium, mg/day 180 180 180 180 



Choline, mg/day 100 100 100 100 

















89 to 83% 



Less than 83% 







g/day per hen 90 95 100* 105 110 100 105 110* 115 120 100 105 110* 115 120 100 105 110* 115 120 

lb/day per 100 hens 19.8 20.9 22.1 23.2 24.3 22.1 23.2 24.3 25.4 26.5 22.1 23.2 24.3 25.4 26.5 22.1 23.2 24.3 25.4 26.5 


Lysine, % 0.90 0.85 0.81 0.77 0.74 0.78 0.74 0.70 0.67 0.65 0.74 0.70 0.67 0.64 0.62 0.71 0.67 0.64 0.61 0.59 

Methionine, % 0.44 0.42 0.40 0.38 0.36 0.36 0.34 0.32 0.31 0.30 0.34 0.32 0.31 0.30 0.28 0.32 0.30 0.29 0.28 0.26 


Threonine, % 0.63 0.60 0.57 0.54 0.52 0.54 0.52 0.49 0.47 0.45 0.52 0.49 0.47 0.45 0.43 0.49 0.47 0.45 0.43 0.41 

Tryptophan, % 0.19 0.18 0.17 0.16 0.15 0.16 0.16 0.15 0.14 0.14 0.16 0.15 0.14 0.13 0.13 0.15 0.14 0.13 0.13 0.12 

Arginine, % 0.96 0.91 0.87 0.83 0.79 0.83 0.79 0.75 0.72 0.69 0.79 0.75 0.72 0.69 0.66 0.75 0.72 0.69 0.66 0.63 

Isoleucine, % 0.71 0.67 0.64 0.61 0.58 0.61 0.58 0.56 0.53 0.51 0.59 0.56 0.53 0.51 0.49 0.56 0.53 0.51 0.48 0.46 

Valine, % 0.81 0.77 0.73 0.69 0.66 0.70 0.66 0.63 0.61 0.58 0.67 0.63 0.61 0.58 0.56 0.64 0.60 0.58 0.55 0.53 


Lysine, % 0.99 0.93 0.89 0.84 0.81 0.85 0.81 0.77 0.74 0.71 0.81 0.77 0.74 0.70 0.68 0.77 0.74 0.70 0.67 0.64 

Methionine, % 0.47 0.45 0.43 0.41 0.39 0.38 0.36 0.35 0.33 0.32 0.37 0.35 0.33 0.32 0.31 0.34 0.32 0.31 0.30 0.28 


Threonine, % 0.74 0.70 0.67 0.64 0.61 0.64 0.61 0.58 0.55 0.53 0.61 0.58 0.55 0.53 0.51 0.58 0.55 0.53 0.51 0.48 

Tryptophan, % 0.23 0.21 0.20 0.19 0.18 0.20 0.19 0.18 0.17 0.16 0.19 0.18 0.17 0.16 0.16 0.18 0.17 0.16 0.15 0.15 

Arginine, % 1.04 0.98 0.93 0.89 0.85 0.89 0.85 0.81 0.78 0.74 0.85 0.81 0.77 0.74 0.71 0.81 0.77 0.74 0.71 0.68 

Isoleucine, % 0.76 0.72 0.69 0.66 0.63 0.66 0.63 0.60 0.57 0.55 0.63 0.60 0.57 0.55 0.52 0.60 0.57 0.54 0.52 0.50 

Valine, % 0.89 0.85 0.80 0.77 0.73 0.77 0.73 0.70 0.67 0.64 0.74 0.70 0.67 0.64 0.61 0.70 0.67 0.64 0.61 0.58 

Crude protein 

(nitrogen × 6.25), 3 % 

19.44 18.42 17.50 16.67 15.91 17.00 16.19 15.45 14.78 14.17 16.00 15.24 14.55 13.91 13.33 15.00 14.29 13.64 13.04 12.50 

Calcium, 4 % 4.44 4.21 4.00 3.81 3.64 4.25 4.05 3.86 3.70 3.54 4.45 4.24 4.05 3.87 3.71 4.60 4.38 4.18 4.00 3.83 


Sodium, % 0.20 0.19 0.18 0.17 0.16 0.18 0.17 0.16 0.16 0.15 0.18 0.17 0.16 0.16 0.15 0.18 0.17 0.16 0.16 0.15 

Chloride, % 0.20 0.19 0.18 0.17 0.16 0.18 0.17 0.16 0.16 0.15 0.18 0.17 0.16 0.16 0.15 0.18 0.17 0.16 0.16 0.15 



Laying Period Nutritional Recommendations—Gray 














Post-Molt Nutritional Recommendations—Gray 

























Calcium, 3 % 1.30 


Sodium, 4 % 0.03 

















Post-Molt Nutritional Recommendations—Gray 


Peaking 









Calcium, 1 % 4.94 4.68 4.45 4.24 4.05 





Calcium, 1 % 4.65 4.43 4.23 4.04 3.88 





Calcium, 1 % 4.85 4.62 4.41 4.22 4.04 







Calcium, 1 % 5.05 4.81 4.59 4.39 4.21 





89 to 83% 


Less than 83% 


Calcium, g/day 4.45 4.65 4.65 5.05 







Contents 







Health 



Vitamins 


—— 






—— 





Stock 












Hy-Line Brown growing period nutritional recommendations 






Item 1 


grams 

Starter 

1 

Starter 

2 


Prelay 

6 

200 450 1070 1260 1400 




kcal/lb 


kcal/kg 


MJ/kg 

1275-1325 1275-1325 1265-1315 1230-1280 1240- 

1330 

2810-2920 2810-2920 2790-2900 2710-2820 2735- 

2930 

11.80- 

12.20 



11.80- 

12.20 

11.70- 

12.10 

11.30-11.80 11.45- 

12.30 

Lysine, % 0.99 0.90 0.80 0.65 0.70 

Methionine, % 0.45 0.41 0.38 0.31 0.34 


Threonine, % 0.63 0.59 0.54 0.44 0.48 

Tryptophan, % 0.18 0.17 0.17 0.14 0.15 

Arginine, % 1.06 0.96 0.86 0.70 0.75

Isoleucine, % 0.69 0.65 0.59 0.49 0.56 

Valine, % 0.71 0.67 0.62 0.52 0.60 


Lysine, % 1.08 0.99 0.88 0.71 0.77 

Methionine, % 0.48 0.45 0.40 0.33 0.37 


Threonine, % 0.75 0.69 0.63 0.52 0.57 

Tryptophan, % 0.21 0.20 0.20 0.17 0.18 

Arginine, % 1.14 1.04 0.92 0.75 0.81 

Isoleucine, % 0.75 0.70 0.64 0.52 0.60 

Valine, % 0.79 0.73 0.69 0.57 0.66 


% 20.00 18.25 17.50 16.00 16.50 

Calcium, 4 % 1.00 1.00 1.00 1.40 2.50 


Sodium (Na), % 0.18 0.17 0.17 0.18 0.18 

Chloride, % 0.18 0.17 0.17 0.18 0.18 


















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Contents 







Health 



Vitamins 


—— 






—— 





Stock 












Hy-Line Brown laying period nutritional recommendations 








Table 1. Hy-Line Brown laying period nutritional recommendations. 

Item 


89% egg 

production 

Approximate 

age, weeks 

Point-oflay 

to 32 


Metabolizable 


Metabolizable 


Metabolizable 

energy, MJ/kg 

1260- 

1300 

2780- 

2870 

11.65- 

12.00 



88-85% egg 

production 

Less than 85% 


33-44 45-58 59+ 

1240-1300 1215-1300 1160-1285 

2735-2870 2680-2870 2560-2835 

11.45-12.00 11.20-12.00 10.70-11.85 

Lysine, mg/day 850 840 800 750 

Methionine, 

mg/day 

Methionine + 


417 412 392 338 

714 722 688 645

Threonine, 

mg/day 

Tryptophan, 

mg/day 

595 588 560 525 

179 176 168 158 


Isoleucine, 

mg/day 

672 664 632 593 

Valine, mg/day 765 756 720 675 


Lysine, mg/day 931 920 876 821 

Methionine, 

mg/day 

Methionine + 


Threonine, 

mg/day 

Tryptophan, 

mg/day 

448 443 422 395 

805 815 776 727 

700 692 659 618 

213 211 201 188 


Isoleucine, 

mg/day 

722 714 680 637 

Valine, mg/day 844 834 794 744 


× 6.25), 3 g/day 17.00 16.75 16.00 15.50 

Calcium, 4 g/day 4.00 4.40 4.70 4.90 

Phosphorus 


mg/day 

Sodium (Na), 

mg/day 

440 400 360 350 

180 180 180 180 


Linoleic acid 

(C18:2 n-6), 

g/day 

1.00 1.00 1.00 1.00 

Choline, mg/day 100 100 100 100 

















MJ/kg 




Lysine, % 0.91 0.87 0.83 0.79 0.75 

Methionine, % 0.45 0.43 0.40 0.39 0.37 


Threonine, % 0.64 0.61 0.58 0.55 0.53 

Tryptophan, % 0.19 0.18 0.17 0.17 0.16 

Arginine, % 0.98 0.93 0.88 0.84 0.81 

Isoleucine, % 0.72 0.69 0.65 0.62 0.59 

Valine, % 0.82 0.78 0.74 0.71 0.68 


Lysine, % 1.00 0.95 0.90 0.86 0.82 

Methionine, % 0.48 0.46 0.43 0.41 0.40 


Threonine, % 0.75 0.71 0.68 0.65 0.62 

Tryptophan, % 0.23 0.22 0.21 0.20 0.19 

Arginine, % 1.05 1.00 0.95 0.91 0.87 

Isoleucine, % 0.78 0.74 0.70 0.67 0.64 

Valine, % 0.91 0.86 0.82 0.78 0.75 


Calcium, 4 % 4.30 4.08 3.88 3.70 3.54 


Sodium (Na), % 0.19 0.18 0.17 0.17 0.16 

Chloride, % 0.19 0.18 0.17 0.17 0.16



















MJ/kg 




Lysine, % 0.84 0.80 0.76 0.73 0.70 

Methionine, % 0.41 0.39 0.37 0.36 0.34 


Threonine, % 0.59 0.56 0.53 0.51 0.49 

Tryptophan, % 0.18 0.17 0.16 0.15 0.15 

Arginine, % 0.90 0.86 0.82 0.78 0.75 

Isoleucine, % 0.66 0.63 0.60 0.58 0.55 

Valine, % 0.76 0.72 0.69 0.66 0.63 


Lysine, % 0.92 0.88 0.84 0.80 0.77 

Methionine, % 0.44 0.42 0.40 0.39 0.37 


Threonine, % 0.69 0.66 0.63 0.60 0.58 

Tryptophan, % 0.21 0.20 0.19 0.18 0.18 

Arginine, % 0.97 0.92 0.88 0.84 0.81 

Isoleucine, % 0.71 0.68 0.65 0.62 0.60 

Valine, % 0.83 0.79 0.76 0.73 0.70


Calcium, 4 % 4.40 4.19 4.00 3.83 3.67 


Sodium (Na), % 0.18 0.17 0.16 0.16 0.15 

Chloride, % 0.18 0.17 0.16 0.16 0.15 



















MJ/kg 




Lysine, % 0.80 0.76 0.73 0.70 0.67 

Methionine, % 0.39 0.37 0.36 0.34 0.33 


Threonine, % 0.56 0.53 0.51 0.49 0.47 

Tryptophan, % 0.17 0.16 0.15 0.15 0.14 

Arginine, % 0.86 0.82 0.78 0.74 0.71 

Isoleucine, % 0.63 0.60 0.57 0.55 0.53 

Valine, % 0.72 0.69 0.65 0.63 0.60 


Lysine, % 0.88 0.83 0.80 0.76 0.73 

Methionine, % 0.42 0.40 0.38 0.37 0.35


Threonine, % 0.66 0.63 0.60 0.57 0.55 

Tryptophan, % 0.20 0.19 0.18 0.17 0.17 

Arginine, % 0.92 0.88 0.84 0.80 0.77 

Isoleucine, % 0.68 0.65 0.62 0.59 0.57 

Valine, % 0.79 0.76 0.72 0.69 0.66 


Calcium, 4 % 4.70 4.48 4.27 4.09 3.92 


Sodium (Na), % 0.18 0.17 0.16 0.16 0.15 

Chloride, % 0.18 0.17 0.16 0.16 0.15 



















MJ/kg 




Lysine, % 0.76 0.72 0.69 0.66 0.63 

Methionine, % 0.37 0.35 0.34 0.32 0.31 


Threonine, % 0.53 0.50 0.48 0.46 0.44 

Tryptophan, % 0.16 0.15 0.14 0.14 0.13 

Arginine, % 0.81 0.77 0.74 0.70 0.67

Isoleucine, % 0.60 0.57 0.54 0.52 0.50 

Valine, % 0.68 0.65 0.62 0.59 0.57 


Lysine, % 0.83 0.79 0.75 0.72 0.69 

Methionine, % 0.40 0.38 0.36 0.35 0.33 


Threonine, % 0.62 0.59 0.57 0.54 0.52 

Tryptophan, % 0.19 0.18 0.17 0.16 0.16 

Arginine, % 0.87 0.83 0.79 0.76 0.73 

Isoleucine, % 0.64 0.61 0.58 0.56 0.54 

Valine, % 0.75 0.72 0.68 0.65 0.63 


Calcium, 4 % 4.95 4.71 4.50 4.30 4.12 


Sodium (Na), % 0.18 0.17 0.17 0.16 0.15 

Chloride, % 0.18 0.17 0.17 0.16 0.15 



















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Contents 







Health 



Vitamins 


—— 






—— 





Stock 




Suggested Nutrition Program for Hy-Line Brown 








Download the suggested Hy-Line Brown nutrition program for easy printing (pdf, 1.6 

MB) 






For the Hy-Line Brown, the following suggested diet program is used with success 























weeks of age. 



















feed intake of the Hy-Line Brown does not change much after this time, so subsequent 





Diet matrix 













Suggested diet matrix for Hy-Line Brown. 1,2 The matrix is intended for a flock 



closer to 115 g/day in cooler climates (or free-range) in which case the matrix should be 


Age 






















g/day again.


Growing Period Nutritional Recommendations—Brown 




Approximate age 0—3 weeks 4—6 weeks 7—12 weeks 13—15 weeks 16—17 weeks 






Lysine, % 0.99 0.90 0.80 0.65 0.70 

Methionine, % 0.45 0.41 0.38 0.31 0.34 


Threonine, % 0.63 0.59 0.54 0.44 0.48 

Tryptophan, % 0.18 0.17 0.17 0.14 0.15 

Arginine, % 1.06 0.96 0.86 0.70 0.75 

Isoleucine, % 0.69 0.65 0.59 0.49 0.56 

Valine, % 0.71 0.67 0.62 0.52 0.60 



Lysine, % 1.08 0.99 0.88 0.71 0.77 

Methionine, % 0.48 0.45 0.40 0.33 0.37 


Threonine, % 0.75 0.69 0.63 0.52 0.57 

Tryptophan, % 0.21 0.20 0.20 0.17 0.18 

Arginine, % 1.14 1.04 0.92 0.75 0.81 

Isoleucine, % 0.75 0.70 0.64 0.52 0.60 

Valine, % 0.79 0.73 0.69 0.57 0.66 

Crude protein (nitrogen ×6.25), 3 % 20.00 18.25 17.50 16.00 16.50 

Calcium, 4 % 1.00 1.00 1.00 1.40 2.50 


Sodium, % 0.18 0.17 0.17 0.18 0.18 

Chloride, % 0.18 0.17 0.17 0.18 0.18 

















88 to 85% 



Less than 85% 








Lysine, mg/day 850 840 800 750 







Valine, mg/day 765 756 720 675 


Laying Period Nutritional Recommendations—Brown 


Lysine, mg/day 931 920 876 821 







Valine, mg/day 844 834 794 744 


Calcium, 4 g/day 4.00 4.40 4.70 4.90 


Sodium, mg/day 180 180 180 180 



Choline, mg/day 100 100 100 100 
















88 to 85% 



Less than 85% 







g/day per hen 93 98 103 108 113 100 105 110 115 120 100 105 110 115 120 99 104 109 114 119 

lb/day per 100 hens 20.5 21.6 22.7 23.8 24.9 22.1 23.2 24.3 25.4 26.5 22.1 23.2 24.3 25.4 26.5 21.8 22.9 24.0 25.1 26.2 


Lysine, % 0.91 0.87 0.83 0.79 0.75 0.84 0.80 0.76 0.73 0.70 0.80 0.76 0.73 0.70 0.67 0.76 0.72 0.69 0.66 0.63 

Methionine, % 0.45 0.43 0.40 0.39 0.37 0.41 0.39 0.37 0.36 0.34 0.39 0.37 0.36 0.34 0.33 0.37 0.35 0.34 0.32 0.31 


Threonine, % 0.64 0.61 0.58 0.55 0.53 0.59 0.56 0.53 0.51 0.49 0.56 0.53 0.51 0.49 0.47 0.53 0.50 0.48 0.46 0.44 

Tryptophan, % 0.19 0.18 0.17 0.17 0.16 0.18 0.17 0.16 0.15 0.15 0.17 0.16 0.15 0.15 0.14 0.16 0.15 0.14 0.14 0.13 

Arginine, % 0.98 0.93 0.88 0.84 0.81 0.90 0.86 0.82 0.78 0.75 0.86 0.82 0.78 0.74 0.71 0.81 0.77 0.74 0.70 0.67 

Isoleucine, % 0.72 0.69 0.65 0.62 0.59 0.66 0.63 0.60 0.58 0.55 0.63 0.60 0.57 0.55 0.53 0.60 0.57 0.54 0.52 0.50 

Valine, % 0.82 0.78 0.74 0.71 0.68 0.76 0.72 0.69 0.66 0.63 0.72 0.69 0.65 0.63 0.60 0.68 0.65 0.62 0.59 0.57 


Lysine, % 1.00 0.95 0.90 0.86 0.82 0.92 0.88 0.84 0.80 0.77 0.88 0.83 0.80 0.76 0.73 0.83 0.79 0.75 0.72 0.69 

Methionine, % 0.48 0.46 0.43 0.41 0.40 0.44 0.42 0.40 0.39 0.37 0.42 0.40 0.38 0.37 0.35 0.40 0.38 0.36 0.35 0.33 


Threonine, % 0.75 0.71 0.68 0.65 0.62 0.69 0.66 0.63 0.60 0.58 0.66 0.63 0.60 0.57 0.55 0.62 0.59 0.57 0.54 0.52 

Tryptophan, % 0.23 0.22 0.21 0.20 0.19 0.21 0.20 0.19 0.18 0.18 0.20 0.19 0.18 0.17 0.17 0.19 0.18 0.17 0.16 0.16 

Arginine, % 1.05 1.00 0.95 0.91 0.87 0.97 0.92 0.88 0.84 0.81 0.92 0.88 0.84 0.80 0.77 0.87 0.83 0.79 0.76 0.73 

Isoleucine, % 0.78 0.74 0.70 0.67 0.64 0.71 0.68 0.65 0.62 0.60 0.68 0.65 0.62 0.59 0.57 0.64 0.61 0.58 0.56 0.54 

Valine, % 0.91 0.86 0.82 0.78 0.75 0.83 0.79 0.76 0.73 0.70 0.79 0.76 0.72 0.69 0.66 0.75 0.72 0.68 0.65 0.63 

Crude protein 

(nitrogen × 6.25), 3 % 

18.28 17.35 16.50 15.74 15.04 16.75 15.95 15.23 14.57 13.96 16.00 15.24 14.55 13.91 13.33 15.66 14.90 14.22 13.60 13.03 

Calcium, 4 % 4.30 4.08 3.88 3.70 3.54 4.40 4.19 4.00 3.83 3.67 4.70 4.48 4.27 4.09 3.92 4.95 4.71 4.50 4.30 4.12 


Sodium, % 0.19 0.18 0.17 0.17 0.16 0.18 0.17 0.16 0.16 0.15 0.18 0.17 0.16 0.16 0.15 0.18 0.17 0.17 0.16 0.15 

Chloride, % 0.19 0.18 0.17 0.17 0.16 0.18 0.17 0.16 0.16 0.15 0.18 0.17 0.16 0.16 0.15 0.18 0.17 0.17 0.16 0.15 



Laying Period Nutritional Recommendations—Brown 














Post-Molt Nutritional Recommendations—Brown 















Total amino acids3 Lysine, % 0.33 









Calcium, 3 % 1.30 


Sodium, 4 % 0.03 
















Post-Molt Nutritional Recommendations—Brown 


Peaking 









Calcium, 1 % 5.05 4.80 4.56 4.35 4.16 





Calcium, 1 % 4.90 4.67 4.45 4.26 4.08 





Calcium, 1 % 5.10 4.86 4.64 4.43 4.25 







Calcium, 1 % 5.35 5.10 4.86 4.65 4.45 





88 to 85% 


Less than 85% 


Calcium, g/day 4.70 4.90 5.10 5.30 






Contents 







Health 



Vitamins 


—— 






—— 





Stock 





Brown 








Hy-Line Silver Brown growing period nutritional 







Item 1 Starter 1 


grams 

Starter 

2 


Prelay 

6 

190 480 1080 1340 1550 




kcal/lb 


kcal/kg 


MJ/kg 

1290-1325 1280- 

1315 

28452920 2820- 

2900 

11.90-12.25 11.80- 

12.15 



1250- 

1300 

2755- 

2867 

11.55- 

12.00 

1220-1250 1240- 

1275 

2690-2755 2735- 

2810 

11.25-11.55 11.45- 

11.80 

Lysine, % 0.95 0.90 0.80 0.57 0.70 

Methionine, % 0.43 0.41 0.38 0.27 0.34 


Threonine, % 0.61 0.59 0.54 0.39 0.48

Tryptophan, % 0.17 0.17 0.17 0.13 0.15 

Arginine, % 1.02 0.96 0.86 0.61 0.75 

Isoleucine, % 0.67 0.65 0.59 0.43 0.56 

Valine, % 0.68 0.67 0.62 0.46 0.60 


Lysine, % 1.04 0.99 0.88 0.62 0.77 

Methionine, % 0.46 0.45 0.40 0.29 0.37 


Threonine, % 0.72 0.70 0.64 0.46 0.60 

Tryptophan, % 0.20 0.20 0.20 0.15 0.18 

Arginine, % 1.09 1.04 0.92 0.66 0.81 

Isoleucine, % 0.72 0.70 0.64 0.46 0.60 

Valine, % 0.75 0.73 0.69 0.50 0.66 


% 20.00 18.25 17.50 15.50 16.50 

Calcium, 4 % 1.00 1.00 1.00 1.40 2.50 


Sodium (Na), % 0.18 0.17 0.16 0.16 0.15 

Chloride, % 0.18 0.17 0.16 0.16 0.15 


















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Contents 







Health 



Vitamins 


—— 






—— 





Stock 





Brown 








Hy-Line Silver Brown laying period nutritional 


The nutrient recommendations are based on supplying a given amount (in grams 

or milligrams) of nutrients per day (Table 1). To convert these absolute values 

into a percentage of the diet, one must know the feed intake (Tables 2 to 5) in 

order to formulate the laying-hen diets according to the observed feed intake to 

ensure the daily consumption of the recommended grams or milligrams of 

nutrients. See also the Feeding the Laying Hen and the Suggested Nutrition 

Program sections for information of how to implement the laying-period 


Table 1. Hy-Line Silver Brown laying period nutritional 


Item 


92% egg 

production 

Approximate 

age, weeks 

Point-oflay 

to 32 


Metabolizable 


Metabolizable 


Metabolizable 

energy, MJ/kg 

1260- 

1300 

2780- 

2870 

11.65- 

12.00 



91-86% 

egg 

production 

Less than 

86% egg 

production 

33-44 45-58 59+ 

1240-1300 1215-1300 1160-1285 

2735-2870 2680-2870 2560-2835 

11.45-12.00 11.20-12.00 10.70-11.85 

Lysine, mg/day 850 840 810 760

Methionine, 

mg/day 

Methionine + 


Threonine, 

mg/day 

Tryptophan, 

mg/day 

Arginine, 

mg/day 

Isoleucine, 

mg/day 

417 412 397 372 

714 722 697 654 

595 588 567 532 

179 176 170 160 

910 899 867 813 

672 664 640 600 

Valine, mg/day 765 756 729 684 


Lysine, mg/day 931 920 887 832 

Methionine, 

mg/day 

Methionine + 


Threonine, 

mg/day 

Tryptophan, 

mg/day 

Arginine, 

mg/day 

Isoleucine, 

mg/day 

448 443 427 400 

805 815 786 737 

700 692 667 626 

213 211 203 191 

978 966 932 874 

722 714 688 646 

Valine, mg/day 844 834 804 754 

Crude protein 

(N × 6.25), 3 

g/day 18.00 17.00 17.00 16.00 

Calcium, 4 

g/day 

Phosphorus 


mg/day 

Sodium (Na), 

mg/day 

Chloride, 

mg/day 

Linoleic acid 

(C18:2 n-6), 

4.00 4.30 5.00 5.20 

440 400 360 350 

180 180 180 180 

180 180 180 180 

1.00 1.00 1.00 1.00

g/day 

Choline, 

mg/day 

100 100 100 100 


















11.65-12.00 MJ/kg 




Lysine, % 0.94 0.89 0.85 0.81 0.77 

Methionine, % 0.46 0.44 0.42 0.40 0.38 


Threonine, % 0.66 0.63 0.60 0.57 0.54 

Tryptophan, % 0.20 0.19 0.18 0.17 0.16 

Arginine, % 1.01 0.96 0.91 0.87 0.83 

Isoleucine, % 0.75 0.71 0.67 0.64 0.61 

Valine, % 0.85 0.81 0.77 0.73 0.70 


Lysine, % 1.03 0.98 0.93 0.89 0.85 

Methionine, % 0.50 0.47 0.45 0.43 0.41 


Threonine, % 0.78 0.74 0.70 0.67 0.64 

Tryptophan, % 0.24 0.22 0.21 0.20 0.19 

Arginine, % 1.09 1.03 0.98 0.93 0.89 

Isoleucine, % 0.80 0.76 0.72 0.69 0.66

Valine, % 0.94 0.89 0.84 0.80 0.77 


Calcium, 4 % 4.44 4.21 4.00 3.81 3.64 


Sodium (Na), % 0.20 0.19 0.18 0.17 0.16 

Chloride, % 0.20 0.19 0.18 0.17 0.16 




















11.45-12.00 MJ/kg 




Lysine, % 0.84 0.80 0.76 0.73 0.70 

Methionine, % 0.41 0.39 0.37 0.36 0.34 


Threonine, % 0.59 0.56 0.53 0.51 0.49 

Tryptophan, % 0.18 0.17 0.16 0.15 0.15 

Arginine, % 0.90 0.86 0.82 0.78 0.75 

Isoleucine, % 0.66 0.63 0.60 0.58 0.55 

Valine, % 0.76 0.72 0.69 0.66 0.63 

Total amino acids 3

Lysine, % 0.92 0.88 0.84 0.80 0.77 

Methionine, % 0.44 0.42 0.40 0.39 0.37 


Threonine, % 0.69 0.66 0.63 0.60 0.58 

Tryptophan, % 0.21 0.20 0.19 0.18 0.18 

Arginine, % 0.97 0.92 0.88 0.84 0.81 

Isoleucine, % 0.71 0.68 0.65 0.62 0.60 

Valine, % 0.83 0.79 0.76 0.73 0.70 


Calcium, 4 % 4.30 4.10 3.91 3.74 3.58 


Sodium (Na), % 0.18 0.17 0.16 0.16 0.15 

Chloride, % 0.18 0.17 0.16 0.16 0.15 




















11.20-12.00 MJ/kg 




Lysine, % 0.80 0.76 0.73 0.70 0.67 

Methionine, % 0.39 0.37 0.36 0.34 0.33 

Methionine + cystine, % 0.69 0.66 0.63 0.60 0.58

Threonine, % 0.56 0.53 0.51 0.49 0.47 

Tryptophan, % 0.17 0.16 0.15 0.15 0.14 

Arginine, % 0.86 0.82 0.78 0.75 0.72 

Isoleucine, % 0.63 0.60 0.58 0.55 0.53 

Valine, % 0.72 0.69 0.66 0.63 0.60 


Lysine, % 0.88 0.84 0.80 0.76 0.73 

Methionine, % 0.42 0.40 0.38 0.37 0.35 


Threonine, % 0.66 0.63 0.60 0.58 0.55 

Tryptophan, % 0.20 0.19 0.18 0.18 0.17 

Arginine, % 0.92 0.88 0.84 0.80 0.77 

Isoleucine, % 0.68 0.65 0.62 0.59 0.57 

Valine, % 0.80 0.76 0.72 0.69 0.66 


Calcium, 4 % 4.95 4.72 4.50 4.31 4.13 


Sodium (Na), % 0.18 0.17 0.16 0.16 0.15 

Chloride, % 0.18 0.17 0.16 0.16 0.15 




















10.70-11.85 MJ/kg




Lysine, % 0.75 0.71 0.68 0.65 0.62 

Methionine, % 0.36 0.35 0.33 0.32 0.30 


Threonine, % 0.52 0.50 0.48 0.45 0.44 

Tryptophan, % 0.16 0.15 0.14 0.14 0.13 

Arginine, % 0.80 0.76 0.73 0.69 0.67 

Isoleucine, % 0.59 0.56 0.54 0.51 0.49 

Valine, % 0.67 0.64 0.61 0.58 0.56 


Lysine, % 0.82 0.78 0.74 0.71 0.68 

Methionine, % 0.39 0.37 0.36 0.34 0.33 


Threonine, % 0.61 0.59 0.56 0.54 0.51 

Tryptophan, % 0.19 0.18 0.17 0.16 0.16 

Arginine, % 0.86 0.82 0.78 0.75 0.72 

Isoleucine, % 0.63 0.60 0.58 0.55 0.53 

Valine, % 0.74 0.70 0.67 0.64 0.62 


Calcium, 4 % 5.10 4.86 4.64 4.44 4.26 


Sodium (Na), % 0.18 0.17 0.16 0.15 0.15 

Chloride, % 0.18 0.17 0.16 0.15 0.15 













mm. See also the Nutrition and Eggshell Quality section.

5 Digestible phosphorus is sometimes preferred over available phoshporus. However, there are 






www.hyline.com

Contents 







Health 



Vitamins 


—— 






—— 





Stock 




Suggested Nutrition Program for Hy-Line Silver 

Brown 













For the Hy-Line Silver Brown, the following suggested diet program is used with success 























weeks of age. 
























Diet matrix 













Suggested diet matrix for Hy-Line Silver Brown. 1,2 The matrix is intended for 

a flock that normally consumes approximately 110 g feed per day post-peak. In warmer 




Age 






















g/day again.




Capabilities of the Hy-Line Silver Brown 






















Shell Color Uniform, Dark Brown 







Feather Color White 


Temperament Very calm, adapts well to any management 







Target Weights of Hy-Line Silver Brown Pullets 



Weeks g lb 

1 70 0.15 

2 115 0.25 

3 190 0.42 

4 290 0.64 

5 380 0.84 

6 480 1.06 

7 590 1.30 

8 690 1.52 

9 790 1.74 

10 890 1.96 

11 990 2.18 

12 1080 2.38 

13 1160 2.56 

14 1250 2.76 

15 1340 2.95 

16 1410 3.11 

17** 1480 3.26 

18 1550 3.42 

19 1630 3.59 











Growing Period Feed Consumption*—Silver Brown 





1 13 2.87 91 0.20 

2 20 4.41 231 0.51 

3 25 5.51 406 0.90 

4 29 6.39 609 1.34 

5 33 7.28 840 1.85 

6 37 8.16 1099 2.42 

7 41 9.04 1386 3.06 

8 46 10.14 1708 3.77 

9 51 11.24 2065 4.55 

10 56 12.35 2457 5.42 

11 61 13.45 2884 6.36 

12 66 14.55 3346 7.38 

13 70 15.43 3836 8.46 

14 73 16.09 4347 9.58 

15 75 16.53 4872 10.74 

16 77 16.98 5411 11.93 

17 80 17.64 5971 13.16 









Water Consumption for Hy-Line Silver Brown Pullets and Layers 




1 

2 

3 

4 

5 

6 

7 

8 

9 

10–15 

16–20 

21–25* 

Over 25* 


0.8–1.1 0.20–0.30 

1.1–1.9 0.30–0.50 

1.7–2.7 0.45–0.70 

2.5–3.8 0.65–1.00 

3.4–4.7 0.90–1.25 

4.5–5.7 1.20–1.50 

5.7–6.8 1.50–1.80 

6.1–8.0 1.60–2.10 

6.4–9.5 1.70–2.50 

6.8–10.2 1.80–2.70 

7.2–15.2 1.90–4.00 

9.9–18.2 2.60–4.80 

15.2–20.8 4.00–5.50 








Age 

in Weeks 

% 

Hen-Day 

% 

Mortality 


Hen-Day 

Eggs 

Hy-Line Silver Brown Performance Table 

Hen-Housed 

Eggs Body Weight 

Cum. Cum. Cum. kg lb g/egg 

Average 

Egg Weight* 

Net lb/30 

doz case 

Feed 

Consumption 

g/day 

per bird 

lb/day per 

100 birds kg lb 



Hen-Housed 

Egg Mass Cum. Egg Quality 

Haugh 

Units 

Shell 

Thickness 

(mm) 

18 1 0.1 0.07 0.1 1.55 3.42 - - - - - - - - - 

19 12 0.1 0.91 0.9 1.63 3.59 44.1 35.0 - - 0.0 0.1 99.2 0.352 1.088 

20 28 0.2 2.87 2.9 1.71 3.77 45.1 35.8 89 19.6 0.1 0.3 98.7 0.352 1.088 

21 54 0.2 6.65 6.6 1.76 3.88 46.3 36.7 95 20.9 0.3 0.7 98.2 0.352 1.088 

22 79 0.3 12.18 12.2 1.80 3.97 49.0 38.9 98 21.6 0.6 1.3 97.7 0.352 1.088 

23 91 0.3 18.55 18.5 1.84 4.06 51.5 40.9 102 22.5 0.9 2.0 97.3 0.352 1.088 

24 94 0.4 25.13 25.1 1.88 4.15 53.7 42.6 105 23.1 1.3 2.8 96.8 0.352 1.088 

25 94 0.4 31.71 31.6 1.92 4.23 55.5 44.0 108 23.8 1.6 3.6 96.4 0.352 1.088 

26 94 0.5 38.29 38.2 1.96 4.32 57.1 45.3 111 24.5 2.0 4.4 95.9 0.351 1.088 

27 95 0.5 44.94 44.8 1.99 4.39 57.7 45.8 114 25.1 2.4 5.2 95.5 0.351 1.087 

28 95 0.6 51.59 51.4 2.02 4.45 58.3 46.3 116 25.6 2.8 6.1 95.0 0.351 1.087 

29 95 0.6 58.24 58.0 2.05 4.52 58.7 46.6 118 26.0 3.2 7.0 94.6 0.351 1.087 

30 95 0.7 64.89 64.6 2.08 4.59 58.9 46.7 119 26.2 3.5 7.8 94.1 0.351 1.087 

31 94 0.7 71.47 71.1 2.10 4.63 59.2 47.0 120 26.5 3.9 8.7 93.7 0.351 1.087 

32 94 0.8 78.05 77.7 2.12 4.67 59.5 47.2 121 26.7 4.3 9.5 93.2 0.351 1.087 

33 94 0.8 84.63 84.2 2.14 4.72 59.8 47.5 121 26.7 4.7 10.4 92.7 0.351 1.087 

34 94 0.9 91.21 90.7 2.16 4.76 60.0 47.6 121 26.7 5.1 11.3 92.3 0.351 1.086 

35 94 0.9 97.79 97.3 2.17 4.79 60.3 47.9 121 26.7 5.5 12.2 91.8 0.351 1.086 

36 94 1.0 104.37 103.8 2.19 4.82 60.6 48.1 121 26.7 5.9 13.0 91.4 0.351 1.086 

37 94 1.0 110.95 110.3 2.21 4.86 60.8 48.3 121 26.7 6.3 13.9 90.9 0.351 1.086 

38 93 1.1 117.46 116.7 2.22 4.89 61.0 48.4 121 26.7 6.7 14.8 90.5 0.351 1.086 

39 93 1.1 123.97 123.2 2.23 4.91 61.2 48.6 121 26.7 7.1 15.7 90.0 0.351 1.086 

40 93 1.2 130.48 129.6 2.24 4.93 61.3 48.7 121 26.7 7.5 16.6 89.6 0.351 1.086 

41 92 1.2 136.92 136.0 2.25 4.96 61.4 48.7 121 26.7 7.9 17.4 89.1 0.351 1.086 

42 92 1.3 143.36 142.3 2.26 4.98 61.5 48.8 121 26.7 8.3 18.3 88.7 0.350 1.085 

43 92 1.4 149.80 148.7 2.27 5.00 61.5 48.8 121 26.7 8.7 19.2 88.2 0.350 1.085 

44 91 1.4 156.17 154.9 2.28 5.02 61.6 48.9 120 26.5 9.1 20.0 87.7 0.350 1.085 

45 91 1.5 162.54 161.2 2.28 5.03 61.7 49.0 120 26.5 9.5 20.9 87.3 0.350 1.085 

46 91 1.5 168.91 167.5 2.29 5.04 61.8 49.0 120 26.5 9.9 21.8 86.8 0.350 1.085 

47 90 1.6 175.21 173.7 2.29 5.05 61.9 49.1 120 26.5 10.3 22.6 86.4 0.350 1.085 

48 90 1.7 181.51 179.9 2.30 5.06 62.0 49.2 120 26.5 10.7 23.5 85.9 0.350 1.085 

49 89 1.7 187.74 186.0 2.30 5.06 62.1 49.3 120 26.5 11.0 24.3 85.5 0.350 1.085 

50 89 1.8 193.97 192.1 2.30 5.06 62.2 49.4 120 26.5 11.4 25.2 85.0 0.350 1.084 

51 88 1.8 200.13 198.2 2.30 5.07 62.2 49.4 120 26.5 11.8 26.0 84.6 0.350 1.084 

52 88 1.9 206.29 204.2 2.30 5.07 62.3 49.4 120 26.5 12.2 26.9 84.1 0.350 1.084 

53 87 2.0 212.38 210.2 2.30 5.07 62.4 49.5 120 26.5 12.6 27.7 83.7 0.350 1.084 

54 87 2.0 218.47 216.2 2.31 5.08 62.5 49.6 120 26.5 13.0 28.6 83.2 0.350 1.084 

55 86 2.1 224.49 222.0 2.31 5.08 62.6 49.7 119 26.2 13.3 29.4 82.7 0.350 1.084 

56 86 2.2 230.51 227.9 2.31 5.08 62.6 49.7 120 26.5 13.7 30.2 82.3 0.350 1.084 

57 86 2.3 236.53 233.8 2.31 5.08 62.7 49.8 120 26.5 14.1 31.1 81.8 0.349 1.083 

58 85 2.4 242.48 239.6 2.31 5.09 62.8 49.8 120 26.5 14.5 31.9 81.4 0.349 1.083 

59 85 2.4 248.43 245.4 2.31 5.09 62.9 49.9 120 26.5 14.8 32.7 80.9 0.349 1.083 





Specifi c 

Gravity 



Age 

in Weeks 

% 

Hen-Day 

% 

Mortality 

Hen-Day 

Eggs 


Hen-Housed 



Average 

Egg Weight* 


Feed 

Consumption 



Hen-Housed 







Net lb/30 

doz case 

g/day 

per bird 

lb/day per 


Haugh 

Units 

Shell 

Thickness 

(mm) 

60 84 2.5 254.31 251.2 2.31 5.09 63.0 50.0 120 26.5 15.2 33.5 80.5 0.349 1.083 

61 84 2.6 260.19 256.9 2.31 5.09 63.1 50.1 120 26.5 15.6 34.3 80.0 0.349 1.083 

62 83 2.8 266.00 262.5 2.31 5.09 63.2 50.2 120 26.5 15.9 35.2 79.6 0.349 1.083 

63 83 2.9 271.81 268.2 2.31 5.09 63.2 50.2 120 26.5 16.3 36.0 79.1 0.349 1.083 

64 82 3.0 277.55 273.8 2.31 5.09 63.2 50.2 120 26.5 16.7 36.8 78.7 0.349 1.083 

65 82 3.1 283.29 279.3 2.31 5.09 63.3 50.2 120 26.5 17.0 37.6 78.2 0.349 1.082 

66 81 3.2 288.96 284.8 2.31 5.09 63.4 50.3 120 26.5 17.4 38.4 77.7 0.349 1.082 

67 81 3.4 294.63 290.3 2.31 5.09 63.4 50.3 118 26.0 17.8 39.2 77.3 0.349 1.082 

68 80 3.5 300.23 295.7 2.31 5.09 63.4 50.3 118 26.0 18.1 39.9 76.8 0.349 1.082 

69 79 3.6 305.76 301.0 2.31 5.09 63.4 50.3 118 26.0 18.5 40.7 76.4 0.349 1.082 

70 79 3.7 311.29 306.3 2.31 5.09 63.4 50.3 118 26.0 18.8 41.5 75.9 0.349 1.082 

71 78 3.9 316.75 311.6 2.31 5.09 63.5 50.4 118 26.0 19.2 42.2 75.5 0.349 1.082 

72 77 4.0 322.14 316.8 2.31 5.09 63.5 50.4 118 26.0 19.5 43.0 75.0 0.349 1.081 

73 76 4.1 327.46 321.9 2.31 5.09 63.5 50.4 118 26.0 19.8 43.7 74.6 0.348 1.081 

74 75 4.3 332.71 326.9 2.31 5.09 63.5 50.4 118 26.0 20.2 44.5 74.1 0.348 1.081 

75 74 4.4 337.89 331.8 2.31 5.09 63.6 50.5 117 25.8 20.5 45.2 73.7 0.348 1.081 

76 73 4.5 343.00 336.7 2.31 5.09 63.6 50.5 117 25.8 20.8 45.9 73.2 0.348 1.081 

77 72 4.7 348.04 341.5 2.31 5.09 63.6 50.5 117 25.8 21.1 46.6 72.7 0.348 1.081 

78 71 4.8 353.01 346.3 2.31 5.09 63.6 50.5 117 25.8 21.5 47.3 72.3 0.348 1.081 

79 70 4.9 357.91 350.9 2.31 5.09 63.7 50.6 117 25.8 21.8 48.0 71.8 0.348 1.081 

80 69 5.0 362.74 355.5 2.31 5.09 63.7 50.6 117 25.8 22.1 48.7 71.4 0.348 1.080 

Specifi c 

Gravity



100 

95 

90 

85 

80 

75 

70 

65 

60 

55 

50 

45 

40 

35 

30 

25 

20 





15 

0.8 

10 

0.6 

0.4 

5 

Mortality (%) 

0.2 

0 

0.0 

15 20 25 30 35 40 45 50 55 60 65 70 75 80 

Age (weeks) 







5.0 

4.8 

4.6 

4.4 

4.2 

4.0 

3.8 

3.6 

3.4 

3.2 

3.0 

2.8 

2.6 

2.4 

2.2 

2.0 

1.8 

1.6 

1.4 

1.2 

1.0 

Kilograms


Age in 

Weeks 

Average 


Egg Size Distribution—South African Standards 

Jumbo 

Over 66 g 

Extra Large 

59–66 g 

Large 

51–59 g 



Medium 

43–51 g 

20 45.1 0.0 0.1 9.9 57.6 32.4 

22 49.0 0.0 1.8 32.0 55.6 10.6 

24 53.7 0.8 14.1 55.2 28.0 1.8 

26 57.1 4.7 31.3 51.5 12.1 0.4 

28 58.3 7.3 37.4 46.8 8.2 0.2 

30 58.9 8.6 40.6 44.3 6.3 0.1 

32 59.5 9.7 44.3 41.6 4.4 0.1 

34 60.0 11.0 47.1 38.6 3.3 0.0 

36 60.6 13.5 49.3 34.7 2.5 0.0 

38 61.0 14.9 51.4 32.1 1.7 0.0 

40 61.3 16.4 52.0 30.0 1.6 0.0 

42 61.5 17.1 52.3 28.9 1.6 0.0 

44 61.6 18.5 51.9 28.2 1.5 0.0 

46 61.8 19.6 51.5 27.4 1.5 0.0 

48 62.0 21.2 51.2 26.1 1.4 0.0 

50 62.2 22.6 51.1 25.0 1.3 0.0 

52 62.3 23.5 51.0 24.3 1.3 0.0 

54 62.5 24.6 50.8 23.4 1.2 0.0 

56 62.6 25.7 50.0 23.2 1.2 0.0 

58 62.8 26.9 49.8 22.1 1.2 0.0 

60 63.0 28.6 48.9 21.3 1.1 0.0 

62 63.2 29.9 48.7 20.3 1.1 0.0 

64 63.2 29.9 48.7 20.3 1.1 0.0 

66 63.4 31.5 47.7 19.7 1.1 0.0 

68 63.4 31.5 47.7 19.7 1.1 0.0 

70 63.4 31.9 47.3 19.6 1.1 0.0 

72 63.5 32.5 46.9 19.5 1.1 0.0 

74 63.5 32.5 46.9 19.5 1.1 0.0 

76 63.6 33.4 46.0 19.4 1.1 0.0 

78 63.6 33.4 46.0 19.4 1.1 0.0 

80 63.7 34.3 45.2 19.3 1.1 0.0 

Small 

33–43 g 








Growing Period Nutritional Recommendations—Silver Brown 










Lysine, % 0.95 0.90 0.80 0.57 0.70 

Methionine, % 0.43 0.41 0.38 0.27 0.34 


Threonine, % 0.61 0.59 0.54 0.39 0.48 

Tryptophan, % 0.17 0.17 0.17 0.13 0.15 

Arginine, % 1.02 0.96 0.86 0.61 0.75 

Isoleucine, % 0.67 0.65 0.59 0.43 0.56 

Valine, % 0.68 0.67 0.62 0.46 0.60 



Lysine, % 1.04 0.99 0.88 0.62 0.77 

Methionine, % 0.46 0.45 0.40 0.29 0.37 


Threonine, % 0.72 0.69 0.63 0.46 0.57 

Tryptophan, % 0.20 0.20 0.20 0.15 0.18 

Arginine, % 1.09 1.04 0.92 0.66 0.81 

Isoleucine, % 0.72 0.70 0.64 0.46 0.60 

Valine, % 0.75 0.73 0.69 0.50 0.66 


Calcium, 4 % 1.00 1.00 1.00 1.40 2.50 


Sodium, % 0.18 0.17 0.16 0.16 0.15 

Chloride, % 0.18 0.17 0.16 0.16 0.15 


















91 to 86% 



Less than 86% 








Lysine, mg/day 850 840 810 760 







Valine, mg/day 765 756 729 684 


Laying Period Nutritional Recommendations—Silver Brown 


Lysine, mg/day 931 920 887 832 







Valine, mg/day 844 834 804 754 


Calcium, 4 g/day 4.00 4.30 5.00 5.20 


Sodium, mg/day 180 180 180 180 



Choline, mg/day 100 100 100 100 

















91 to 86% 



Less than 86% 







g/day per hen 93 98 103* 108 113 100 105 110* 115 120 100 105 110* 115 120 99 104 109* 114 119 

lb/day per 100 hens 20.5 21.6 22.7 23.8 24.9 22.1 23.2 24.3 25.4 26.5 22.1 23.2 24.3 25.4 26.5 21.8 22.9 24.0 25.1 26.2 


Lysine, % 0.94 0.89 0.85 0.81 0.77 0.84 0.80 0.76 0.73 0.70 0.80 0.76 0.73 0.70 0.67 0.75 0.71 0.68 0.65 0.62 

Methionine, % 0.46 0.44 0.42 0.40 0.38 0.41 0.39 0.37 0.36 0.34 0.39 0.37 0.36 0.34 0.33 0.36 0.35 0.33 0.32 0.30 


Threonine, % 0.66 0.63 0.60 0.57 0.54 0.59 0.56 0.53 0.51 0.49 0.56 0.53 0.51 0.49 0.47 0.52 0.50 0.48 0.45 0.44 

Tryptophan, % 0.20 0.19 0.18 0.17 0.16 0.18 0.17 0.16 0.15 0.15 0.17 0.16 0.15 0.15 0.14 0.16 0.15 0.14 0.14 0.13 

Arginine, % 1.01 0.96 0.91 0.87 0.83 0.90 0.86 0.82 0.78 0.75 0.86 0.82 0.78 0.75 0.72 0.80 0.76 0.73 0.69 0.67 

Isoleucine, % 0.75 0.71 0.67 0.64 0.61 0.66 0.63 0.60 0.58 0.55 0.63 0.60 0.58 0.55 0.53 0.59 0.56 0.54 0.51 0.49 

Valine, % 0.85 0.81 0.77 0.73 0.70 0.76 0.72 0.69 0.66 0.63 0.72 0.69 0.66 0.63 0.60 0.67 0.64 0.61 0.58 0.56 


Laying Period Nutritional Recommendations—Silver Brown 

Lysine, % 1.03 0.98 0.93 0.89 0.85 0.92 0.88 0.84 0.80 0.77 0.88 0.84 0.80 0.76 0.73 0.82 0.78 0.74 0.71 0.68 

Methionine, % 0.50 0.47 0.45 0.43 0.41 0.44 0.42 0.40 0.39 0.37 0.42 0.40 0.38 0.37 0.35 0.39 0.37 0.36 0.34 0.33 


Threonine, % 0.78 0.74 0.70 0.67 0.64 0.69 0.66 0.63 0.60 0.58 0.66 0.63 0.60 0.58 0.55 0.61 0.59 0.56 0.54 0.51 

Tryptophan, % 0.24 0.22 0.21 0.20 0.19 0.21 0.20 0.19 0.18 0.18 0.20 0.19 0.18 0.18 0.17 0.19 0.18 0.17 0.16 0.16 

Arginine, % 1.09 1.03 0.98 0.93 0.89 0.97 0.92 0.88 0.84 0.81 0.92 0.88 0.84 0.80 0.77 0.86 0.82 0.78 0.75 0.72 

Isoleucine, % 0.80 0.76 0.72 0.69 0.66 0.71 0.68 0.65 0.62 0.60 0.68 0.65 0.62 0.59 0.57 0.63 0.60 0.58 0.55 0.53 

Valine, % 0.94 0.89 0.84 0.80 0.77 0.83 0.79 0.76 0.73 0.70 0.80 0.76 0.72 0.69 0.66 0.74 0.70 0.67 0.64 0.62 

Crude protein 

(nitrogen × 6.25), 3 % 

20.00 18.95 18.00 17.14 16.36 17.00 16.19 15.45 14.78 14.17 16.83 16.04 15.32 14.66 14.05 15.69 14.95 14.29 13.68 13.11 

Calcium, 4 % 4.44 4.21 4.00 3.81 3.64 4.30 4.10 3.91 3.74 3.58 4.95 4.72 4.50 4.31 4.13 5.10 4.86 4.64 4.44 4.26 


Sodium, % 0.20 0.19 0.18 0.17 0.16 0.18 0.17 0.16 0.16 0.15 0.18 0.17 0.16 0.16 0.15 0.18 0.17 0.16 0.15 0.15 

Chloride, % 0.20 0.19 0.18 0.17 0.16 0.18 0.17 0.16 0.16 0.15 0.18 0.17 0.16 0.16 0.15 0.18 0.17 0.16 0.15 0.15 
















Post-Molt Nutritional Recommendations—Silver Brown 

























Calcium, 3 % 1.30 


Sodium, 4 % 0.03 

















Post-Molt Nutritional Recommendations—Silver Brown 


Peaking 









Calcium, 1 % 5.05 4.80 4.56 4.35 4.16 





Calcium, 1 % 4.90 4.67 4.45 4.26 4.08 





Calcium, 1 % 5.10 4.86 4.64 4.43 4.25 







Calcium, 1 % 5.35 5.10 4.86 4.65 4.45 





77 to 75% 


Less than 75% 


Calcium, g/day 4.70 4.90 5.10 5.30 







Contents 








Cage Growing 

Floor Growing 

Floor Systems 

Perches 





Facilities 

Nest Training 

Molting 



Ventilation 



Health 






Perches 

Perches provide a significant improvement to the growing and laying house environment. 

In grow, they allow birds to fully develop their leg and flight muscles and will habituate 

jumping behavior, which will be important in good nesting behavior and if the laying hens 

are later housed in aviaries. In addition, perches reduce the social stress by providing 

safe resting sites. In part because of the improvement in social pressure, perches can 

improve feed and water consumption, with resulting effects on body weight gain, body 

weight uniformity, and egg production. Perches also increase the effective space in the 

house, and piling is a common problem in flocks without access to perches. 

When pullets and laying hens are housed under cage-free condition, it is important that 

they have access to perches and that there is sufficient perch space. Perches helps 

improve the social environment as mentioned as above and significancly reduces 

occurences of eggs laid outside the nests (i.e., "floor eggs"). 

The dimensions for A-frame perches are shown in the drawing below. If individual 

perches are placed too close to the floor, birds cannot escape from social-stress 

situations. Perches above the feed or water lines, perches extending from the wall (i.e., 

half an A-frame), or other perch designs can also be used. The perch length depends on 

bird density (see table). If space allows, place perches on slats to maintain good litter 

conditions. 

A-Frame perch. The width (or diameter) of each perch should be 2.5 cm (1 in) or wider to allow for a 

comfortable grip. 

The length of all perches in the house depends in part on bird density (see table below). 

The recommended perch depends on bird density and laying-hen 

variety 

Bird density Minimum perch length per bird 


2 

Hy-Line W-36, W-98, and Gray Hy-Line Brown and Silver Brown 

2 cm 

(0.8 in) 

4 cm 

(1.6 in)

(1.5 ft /bird) 


(1.3 ft 2 /bird) 


(1.2 ft 2 /bird) 


(1.1 ft 2 /bird) 


(1.0 ft 2 /bird) 


(0.9 ft 2 /bird) 

4 cm 

(1.6 in) 

6 cm 

(2.8 in) 

8 cm 

(3.1 in) 

10 cm 

(3.9 in) 

12 cm 

(4.7 in) 




6 cm 

(2.8 in) 

8 cm 

(3.1 in) 

12 cm 

(4.7 in) 

13 cm 

(5.1 in) 

14 cm 

(5.5 in)

Contents 







Health 



Vitamins 


—— 






—— 





Stock 









intakes. In such cases, advice from Hy-Line Technical Service or a professional 


Energy recommendations 

A range of recommended energy concentrations is provided to accommodate several 

situations where diets of different densities are needed (and to accomodate regional 

differences in energy table values of feed ingredients). As a general rule, the energy 

concentration at the low end of the recommended range corresponds to the higher feed 

consumption rates. Increased energy and nutrient density of the feed is useful at certain 

times, especially when energy consumption may be a limiting factor, such as the critical 

period between housing and peak production (see sections for Feeding the Laying Hen 

and the nutrition-program recommendations for each individual variety). Flocks 

consuming less than 260 to 280 kcal/day (1.09 to 1.17 MJ/day) per bird at peak 

production tend to suffer post-peak dips in production. 

Heat stress will also result in lower feed and energy consumption. As a result, increasing 

the energy content in the feed can result in better body weight gain, egg production, and 

egg weight, especially when the effective ambient temperature is high. Fats or oils are 

concentrated sources of energy and can be useful in increasing the energy content of 

feed. The digestion of fat produces less body heat (i.e., fat has a relatively low heat 

increment), which is useful during periods of heat stress. 

Amino acid recommendations 

The amino acid recommendations are based on digestible lysine and all other amino 

acids are calculated using ideal amino acid ratios. Recommendations for total amino 

acids is subsequently calculated using digestibility coefficients from corn (maize) grain 

and soybean meal. The ideal amino acid ratios used are based on a review of the 

literature, and may differ slightly among Hy-Line varieties. 

By basing the recommendations on digestible amino acids, the recommendations 

become independent of feed ingredient sources—in other words, the recommendations 

can be used for corn (maize) and wheat based diets alike. 

Because of variations in amino acid composition among and within feed ingredients, it is 

highly recommended to periodically analyze feed ingredients for amino acid content or— 

at the very least—analyze for the crude protein content (from which amino acid 

composition can be estimated). 

Calcium and phosphorus recommendations 

The recommended calcium (Ca) and (available) phosphorus (P or P av ) recommendations

esult in excellent eggshell and bone-structure quality. In some cases, lower-thanrecommended 

contents may produce good results as well, depending on the rate of egg 

production, egg weight, and age of the hens. Note that the recommendations are 

independent of the use of phytase. See also the section on avian urolithiasis (gout). 

Sodium (Na) and chloride recommendations 

Hy-Line birds need about the same number of milligrams of sodium (Na) per day as that 

of other laying hens. However, because their lower feed intake, the sodium content in 

percent of the diet should often be higher for Hy-Line hens than for other laying hens 

(see the Formulating for Feed Intake section and the suggested nutrition programs for 

each of Hy-Line's laying hens, available through the menu on the left). Hy-Line's hens 

can tolerate these relatively high levels of sodium without causing wet manure. Note that 

(even marginally) low consumption of sodium can cause nervous hens and may lead to 

feather picking and cannibalism. 

There is little recent research on chloride (Cl) needs of laying hens, so the minimum 

recommendations have been set to equal those of sodium. In contrast, there are some 

indications that relatively high consumption of chloride (Cl) may lead to wet manure and 

poor eggshell quality, but the maximum dietary chloride level is up to the individual 

nutritionist. Normally, there are no problems with dietary chloride levels of up to 0.30%. 



www.hyline.com

TEChniCAl bullETin 

Rapeseed (Canola) Meal 

Rapeseed meal and Canola meal are the products remaining 

after the oil has been extracted from rapeseed 

and Canola, respectively. Rapeseed (Brassica napus and 

Brassica campestris/rapa) that have been bred to contain 

low levels (i.e., less than 2%) of erucic acid in the oil 

and low levels (i.e., less than 30 µmol/g) of glucosinolates 

in the meal portion are called double-low rapeseed 

or Canola. Depending on the type of rapeseed used, the 

extent to which oil is extracted, and the addition of the fibrous 

hulls back to the meal, 

rapeseed meal contains 32 

to 38% crude protein and is 

a good source of amino acids 

(Table 1). However, the 

relatively high content of 

fiber reduces the metabolizable 

energy content and also 

adversely affects the digestibility 

of amino acids. Nevertheless, 

rapeseed meal is 

used throughout the world as 

a protein source in pullet and 

laying-hen diets, and its use 

is second only to soybean 

meal. 

In the 1970s, it was recognized that rapeseed meal 

in the diet of brown-shell laying hens could result in a 

low proportion of the eggs produced having a fishy taint 

or odor. This does not normally occur in white-shell laying 

hens. As a result, rapeseed meal is usually only fed to 

brown-shell laying hens in small amounts (i.e., no more 

than 2 to 3% of the diet), if at all. 

A publiCATiON OF 

hy-linE inTERnATiOnAl 

Feeding Rapeseed Meal or Canola Meal 

to hy-line brown hens 

All Hy-Line Brown hens, hatched after January 1 2009, 1 can be fed diets containing at least 24% double-low 

rapeseedmealorCanolamealwithoutcausingfishytainteggs.However,thehighestrecommendeddietarycontentofrapeseedmealorCanolamealforHy-LineBrownhensis8to10%,similartothatofwhitelayinghens. 

Sinapinic acid 

Sinapine 

Figure 1. Structure of sinapine, showing its components, sinapinic 

acid, choline, and trimethylamine (TMA). The bond between sinapinic 

acid and choline is broken by bacterial fermentation in the large 

intestines; choline is further broken down by bacteria in the large 

intestines to TMA, which is absorbed into the blood. 

Danish Canola field by the Baltic Sea in spring time. © N. Bregendahl. 

Fishy Taint Eggs 

Fishy taint eggs are caused by deposition of fishy 

smelling tri methylamine (TMA) in the egg yolk. Although 

variable, people can detect a fishy taint in eggs when the 

yolks contain more than about 4 µg TMA per gram yolk. 

The contents of sinapine and glucosinolates in dietary 

rapeseed meal along with a defective gene in some brown 

hens are the main causes of the fishy taint eggs. 

Rapeseed meal contains 0.6 to 1.8% sinapine, which 

consists of sinapinic acid bound to choline (Figure 1). Sinapine 

is not digested by the 

Choline 

TMA 

hens, but moves with other 

undigested feed into the 

large intestines, where one 

of the fermentation products 

is TMA. The TMA is subsequently 

absorbed into the 

blood. Normally, the TMA is 

oxidized in the liver by the 

enzyme, flavin-containing 

monooxygenase 3 (FMO3), 

to the odorless TMA Noxide, 

which is excreted 

by the kidneys. However, a 

small proportion of brown 

hens have a mutation in the FMO3 gene that renders the 

enzyme defective and allows the fishy smelling TMA to 

be deposited in the egg yolk. Although sinapine is a form 

of choline, other forms of choline (e.g., choline chloride) 

fed to brown hens at normal inclusion levels do not cause 

fishy taint eggs, because the choline is absorbed in the 

small intestines before it can be fermented to TMA in the 

large intestines.

Rapeseed meal contains glucosinolates—although 

the glucosinolate content must be less than 30 µmol/g 

to be called double-low rapeseed or Canola. Typically, 

Canadian-grown Canola meal contains about 7 µmol/g 

glucosinolates, whereas traditional (i.e., non–double-low) 

rapeseed meal contains 120 to 150 µmol/g. The glucosinolates 

are undesirable in part because they are unpalatable 

and in part because their breakdown products can inhibit 

the hens’ production of thyroid hormones. in addition, 

the glucosinolates inhibit oxidase enzymes, including the 

FMO3 enzyme that oxidizes TMA to the odorless TMA 

N-oxide. Thus, consumption of glucosinolates may cause 

fishy taint eggs, depending on the amount of glucosinolate 

(and sinapine) consumed. 

Rapeseed Meal and Canola Meal Can be Fed to 

hy-line brown hens 

Hy-line brown hens, hatched after January 1 2009, 1 

can tolerate high amounts of rapeseed meal without fear of 

causing fishy taint eggs. In a recent experiment conducted 

in Dr. Hank Classens’ laboratory at the university of Saskatchewan 

in Canada, Hy-line brown hens were fed diets 

containing up to 24% Canola meal. Even with this very 

high dietary content of Canola, the Hy-line brown hens 

were able to maintain a TMA content in the yolk below the 

4 µg/g detection level (Ward et al., 2009). 

When applying the information from the research by 

Ward et al. (2009) to field situations, there are a few items 

to consider: 

● The highest level of Canola meal fed was 24%, so it 

is possible that the Hy-line brown hens can tolerate 

higher amounts without affecting the TMA content in 

the yolk. That said, it is unlikely that commercial diets 

will contain more than 24% Canola meal. indeed, 

typically, no more than 5 to 8% Canola meal is recommended 

in diets for white laying hens, because of 

relatively low energy and nutrient contents that limits 

the dietary inclusion rate, a relatively high content of 

tannins that adversely affect palatability, and the contents 

of goitrogens (even in double-low rapeseed meal) 

that adversely affect egg production. So, in white laying 

hens, no more than about 8% rapeseed meal is recommended 

in the diet. it is therefore unlikely that Hy-line 

brown hens will be fed diets containing more than 8% 

rapeseed meal. 

1 The local availability of Hy-line brown chicks that can tolerate double-low 

rapeseed meal depends on the grandparent or parent-stock flock; please check 

with your local Hy-line sales agent for availability. 

● The highest level of rapeseed meal that can be fed to 

Hy-Line Brown hens without causing fishy taint eggs 

depends on the concentration of sinapine (and other 

forms of choline) in the specific rapeseed meal that 

is fed. if the locally available rapeseed meal contains 

“high” amounts of sinapine and if the rapeseed meal is 

included in “high” amounts in the diet, it is technically 

possible to overwhelm the FMO3 enzyme so that not all 

the TMA is oxidized to non-odorous TMA N-oxide. 

● The experiment by Ward et al. (2009) lasted for only 

4 weeks. From this particular study, it is impossible 

to know if dietary rapeseed meal will cause fishy taint 

if fed to Hy-line brown hens throughout their entire 

grow and production cycle. That said, it is unlikely that 

feeding even very high levels of double-low rapeseed to 

Hy-line brown hens for more than 4 weeks or throughout 

the hens’ life cycle will cause fishy-taint eggs. 

Recommendation 

Hy-line brown hens can tolerate relatively high 

amounts of rapeseed meal without causing fishy taint 

eggs. From the study by Ward et al. (2009), conducted 

with Hy-line brown hens, it is evident that the diet can 

contain at least 24% rapeseed meal without causing fishy 

taint eggs. under practical, commercial conditions, it is 

unlikely that a laying hen diet will contain rapeseed meal 

at such high levels. Therefore, the content of rapeseed 

meal in diets for Hy-line brown hens is only limited by 

its energy and nutrient contents, its contents of tannins, 

and its price relative to other protein supplements. The 

fear of fishy taint eggs need not influence the dietary inclusion 

level of rapeseed meal to Hy-line brown hens. 

in other words, egg producers can use rapeseed meal 

in diets for hy-line brown hens the same way as they 

would for white laying hens. 

For more information about feeding rapeseed meal 

or Canola meal to Hy-line brown hens, please contact 

Hy-line Technical Services through Hy-line’s website, 

. 

literature Cited 

Ward, A. K., H. l. Classen, and F. C. buchanan. 

2009. Fishy-egg tainting is recessively inherited when 

brown-shelled layers are fed canola meal. poultry Science 

88:714–721. Available on-line at .

Table 1. Nutritional composition of rapeseed (Canola) meal and soybean meal (as-fed basis, standardized to 88% dry matter). 

Note that the composition of rapeseed meal and soybean meal depends on variety, local growing conditions, and processing. 

Item Double-low rapeseed or Canola meal Soybean meal 

Dry matter, % 88.00 88.00 

Crude protein, % 36.75 47.80 

MEn, 1 kcal/kg 2,040 2,458 

MEn, 1 kcal/lb 925 1,115 

MEn, 1 MJ/kg 8.54 10.29 

Ether extract, % 3.67 1.00 

Linoleic acid (C18:2 n–6), % 0.77 0.50 

Crude fiber, % 10.73 3.00 

Calcium, % 0.66 0.20 

Phosphorus (total), % 1.13 0.65 

Phosphorus (available), % 0.29 0.21 

Sodium, % 0.10 0.04 

Potassium, % 1.25 1.90 

Sulfur, % 0.97 0.43 

Chloride, % 0.10 0.02 

Ash, % 6.96 6.00 

Goitrogens, µmol/g < 30 .2 – 

Erucic acid (C22:1 n–9), % < 0.07 2 – 

Tannins, % 1.5–3.0 – 

Sinapine, % 0.6–1.8 – 

Price, 3 US dollars per 1,000 kg 238 326 

Total 

content 

Digestibility 4 Digestible 4 

content 

Total 

content 

Digestibility 4 Digestible 4 

Methionine, % 0.74 84 0.63 0.70 91 0.64 

Cystine, % 0.94 77 0.72 0.71 82 0.58 

Methionine+cystine, % 1.68 – 1.35 1.41 – 1.22 

Lysine, % 1.95 80 1.56 3.02 90 2.72 

Tryptophan, % 0.44 80 0.36 0.70 89 0.62 

Threonine, % 1.45 73 1.06 2.00 85 1.70 

Isoleucine, % 1.46 79 1.15 2.60 89 2.31 

Histidine, % 1.06 85 0.90 1.30 92 1.20 

Valine, % 1.88 79 1.48 2.70 88 2.38 

Leucine, % 2.51 82 2.06 3.80 89 3.38 

Arginine, % 2.22 87 1.94 3.60 93 3.35 

Phenylalanine, % 1.45 83 1.20 2.70 89 2.40 

1Nitrogen-corrected metabolizable energy. 

2By definition, double-low rapeseed and Canola must contain less than 30 µmol/g total glucosinolates in the meal and 

less than 2% erucic acid in the oil. 

3Price including delivery in Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA (October 12, 2009). 

4Standardized (true) ileal digestibility. 

content

hy-line international 

1755 West lakes parkway 

West Des Moines, iowa 50266 uSA 

phone: +1 (515) 225-6030 

Fax: +1 (515) 225-6425 

info@hyline.com 

http://www.hyline.com 

Hy-line is a brand name. Numbers and letter identify varieties. 

®Registered Trademark of Hy-line international, West Des Moines, iowa u.S.A. 

© Hy-line international 2009 

December 2009

Contents 







Health 



Vitamins 


—— 






—— 





Stock 





Parent Stock 







W-36 Parent Stock growing period nutritional recommendations 




are also of importance as is the general sections for breeders. 

Hy-Line W-36 Parent Stock growing period nutritional 


Item 1 


grams 

Starter 

1 

Starter 

2 


Prelay 

6 

175 400 860 1170 1230 




kcal/lb 


kcal/kg 


MJ/kg 

1370-1410 1360-1400 1350-1390 1350-1390 1320- 

1340 

3020-3110 3000-3085 2975-3065 2975-3065 2910- 

2955 

12.65- 

13.00 



12.55- 

12.90 

12.45- 

12.85 

12.45-12.85 12.20- 

12.35 

Lysine, % 1.07 0.88 0.79 0.72 0.78 

Methionine, % 0.45 0.40 0.36 0.34 0.37 


Threonine, % 0.70 0.58 0.53 0.49 0.55 

Tryptophan, % 0.18 0.15 0.14 0.14 0.16

Arginine, % 1.16 0.95 0.85 0.78 0.84 

Isoleucine, % 0.75 0.63 0.58 0.54 0.62 

Valine, % 0.77 0.65 0.62 0.58 0.66 


Lysine, % 1.17 0.96 0.86 0.79 0.85 

Methionine, % 0.48 0.43 0.39 0.36 0.39 


Threonine, % 0.82 0.68 0.62 0.58 0.64 

Tryptophan, % 0.22 0.18 0.17 0.16 0.19 

Arginine, % 1.24 1.02 0.92 0.84 0.91 

Isoleucine, % 0.81 0.68 0.63 0.58 0.67 

Valine, % 0.85 0.72 0.68 0.64 0.73 


% 20.0 18.0 16.0 15.5 17.5 

Calcium, 4 % 1.1 1.1 1.1 1.4 2.5 


Sodium (Na), % 0.18 0.18 0.18 0.18 0.18 

Chloride, % 0.18 0.18 0.18 0.18 0.18 


















www.hyline.com

Contents 







Health 



Vitamins 


—— 






—— 





Stock 





Parent Stock 







W-36 Parent Stock laying period nutritional recommendations 








Table 1. Hy-Line W-36 Parent Stock laying period nutritional 


Item 


84% egg 

production 

Approximate 

age, weeks 

Point-oflay 

to 32 


Metabolizable 


Metabolizable 


Metabolizable 

energy, MJ/kg 

1280- 

1300 

2820- 

2870 

11.80- 

12.00 



83-80% egg 

production 

Less than 80% 


33-44 45-55 56+ 

1280-1300 1280-1300 1280-1300 

2820-2870 2820-2870 2820-2870 

11.80-12.00 11.80-12.00 11.80-12.00 

Lysine, mg/day 810 775 740 720 

Methionine, 

mg/day 

397 380 363 338 

Methionine + 656 636 599 569


Threonine, 

mg/day 

Tryptophan, 

mg/day 

567 543 518 504 

170 163 155 151 


Isoleucine, 

mg/day 

640 612 585 569 

Valine, mg/day 729 698 666 648 


Lysine, mg/day 887 849 810 788 

Methionine, 

mg/day 

Methionine + 


Threonine, 

mg/day 

Tryptophan, 

mg/day 

427 408 390 364 

740 717 676 642 

667 638 609 593 

203 195 186 181 


Isoleucine, 

mg/day 

688 658 629 612 

Valine, mg/day 804 769 735 715 


× 6.25), 3 g/day 16.00 15.50 15.25 15.00 

Calcium, 4 g/day 4.20 4.25 4.50 4.65 

Phosphorus 


mg/day 

Sodium (Na), 

mg/day 

485 475 440 420 

180 180 180 180 


Linoleic acid 

(C18:2 n-6), 

g/day 

1.0 1.0 1.0 1.0 

Choline, mg/day 100 100 100 100 





substantially among regions; in some cases, the dietary recommended energy content may have to be












MJ/kg 




Lysine, % 1.00 0.94 0.89 0.84 0.80 

Methionine, % 0.49 0.46 0.44 0.41 0.39 


Threonine, % 0.70 0.66 0.62 0.59 0.56 

Tryptophan, % 0.21 0.20 0.19 0.18 0.17 

Arginine, % 1.07 1.01 0.95 0.90 0.86 

Isoleucine, % 0.79 0.74 0.70 0.67 0.63 

Valine, % 0.90 0.85 0.80 0.76 0.72 


Lysine, % 1.10 1.03 0.97 0.92 0.88 

Methionine, % 0.53 0.50 0.47 0.44 0.42 


Threonine, % 0.82 0.78 0.73 0.69 0.66 

Tryptophan, % 0.25 0.24 0.22 0.21 0.20 

Arginine, % 1.15 1.08 1.02 0.97 0.92 

Isoleucine, % 0.85 0.80 0.76 0.72 0.68 

Valine, % 0.99 0.93 0.88 0.84 0.80 


Calcium, 4 % 5.19 4.88 4.62 4.38 4.16 


Sodium (Na), % 0.22 0.21 0.20 0.19 0.18 

Chloride, % 0.22 0.21 0.20 0.19 0.18



















MJ/kg 




Lysine, % 0.92 0.87 0.82 0.78 0.75 

Methionine, % 0.45 0.43 0.40 0.38 0.37 


Threonine, % 0.65 0.61 0.58 0.55 0.52 

Tryptophan, % 0.19 0.18 0.17 0.16 0.16 

Arginine, % 0.99 0.93 0.88 0.84 0.80 

Isoleucine, % 0.73 0.69 0.65 0.62 0.59 

Valine, % 0.83 0.78 0.74 0.71 0.67 


Lysine, % 1.01 0.95 0.90 0.86 0.82 

Methionine, % 0.49 0.46 0.43 0.41 0.39 


Threonine, % 0.76 0.72 0.68 0.64 0.61 

Tryptophan, % 0.23 0.22 0.21 0.20 0.19 

Arginine, % 1.06 1.00 0.95 0.90 0.86 

Isoleucine, % 0.78 0.74 0.70 0.66 0.63 

Valine, % 0.92 0.86 0.82 0.78 0.74


Calcium, 4 % 5.06 4.78 4.52 4.29 4.09 


Sodium (Na), % 0.21 0.20 0.19 0.18 0.17 

Chloride, % 0.21 0.20 0.19 0.18 0.17 



















MJ/kg 




Lysine, % 0.86 0.81 0.77 0.73 0.70 

Methionine, % 0.42 0.40 0.38 0.36 0.34 


Threonine, % 0.60 0.57 0.54 0.51 0.49 

Tryptophan, % 0.18 0.17 0.16 0.15 0.15 

Arginine, % 0.92 0.87 0.83 0.78 0.75 

Isoleucine, % 0.68 0.64 0.61 0.58 0.55 

Valine, % 0.77 0.73 0.69 0.66 0.63 


Lysine, % 0.94 0.89 0.84 0.80 0.76 

Methionine, % 0.45 0.43 0.41 0.39 0.37


Threonine, % 0.71 0.67 0.63 0.60 0.57 

Tryptophan, % 0.22 0.20 0.19 0.18 0.18 

Arginine, % 0.99 0.94 0.89 0.84 0.80 

Isoleucine, % 0.73 0.69 0.66 0.62 0.59 

Valine, % 0.85 0.81 0.77 0.73 0.69 


Calcium, 4 % 5.23 4.95 4.69 4.46 4.25 


Sodium (Na), % 0.21 0.20 0.19 0.18 0.17 

Chloride, % 0.21 0.20 0.19 0.18 0.17 



















MJ/kg 




Lysine, % 0.82 0.77 0.73 0.70 0.67 

Methionine, % 0.38 0.36 0.34 0.33 0.31 


Threonine, % 0.57 0.54 0.51 0.49 0.47 

Tryptophan, % 0.17 0.16 0.15 0.15 0.14 

Arginine, % 0.88 0.83 0.79 0.75 0.71

Isoleucine, % 0.65 0.61 0.58 0.55 0.53 

Valine, % 0.74 0.70 0.66 0.63 0.60 


Lysine, % 0.90 0.85 0.80 0.77 0.73 

Methionine, % 0.41 0.39 0.37 0.35 0.34 


Threonine, % 0.67 0.64 0.61 0.58 0.55 

Tryptophan, % 0.21 0.19 0.18 0.18 0.17 

Arginine, % 0.94 0.89 0.84 0.80 0.77 

Isoleucine, % 0.70 0.66 0.62 0.59 0.57 

Valine, % 0.81 0.77 0.73 0.69 0.66 


Calcium, 4 % 5.28 5.00 4.74 4.51 4.31 


Sodium (Na), % 0.20 0.19 0.18 0.17 0.17 

Chloride, % 0.20 0.19 0.18 0.17 0.17 



















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Contents 







Health 



Vitamins 


—— 






—— 





Stock 





Parent Stock 












For the Hy-Line W-36 Parent Stock, the following suggested diet program is used with 

success worldwide and follows the principle of feeding for the observed feed intake and 

desired production. Feeding according to this or a similar program ensures a high peak 

egg production, an excellent persistence of lay, and many settable eggs. Note that the 

diets should be formulated for the actual, observed feed intakes, which may be different 

from the feed intakes shown in this example. 

















feed consumption reaches about 95 g/day, which typically occurs around 26 weeks of 

age. 









Note that the egg weight should be controlled earlier and more aggressively for the W- 

36 Parent Stock than for the W-36 commercial. The nutrient recommendations for the 

W-36 Parent Stock reflect this egg-weight control. 









The next diet is formulated for a feed intake of about 100 g/day, which typically occurs


feed intake of the Hy-Line W-36 Parent Stock does not change much after this time, so 


eggshell quality, and reducing diet cost (the latter as the hens' energy and nutrient needs 



Diet matrix 













Suggested diet matrix for Hy-Line W-36 Parent Stock. 1,2 The matrix is 

intended for a flock that normally consumes approximately 100 g feed per day postpeak. 

In warmer climates, the normal postpeak feed intake may be closer to 95 g/day 

and closer to 105 g/day in cooler climates in which case the matrix should be adjusted 

accordingly. 

Age 





















may only have to be fed for a short time until the feed intake returns to the "normal" 100

g/day again. 



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© copyright 2010 Hy-Line International 

Performance Summary of the Hy-Line W-36 Parent 

Female Livability, 1–18 Weeks 96% 


Male Livability, 1–18 Weeks 85% 


Age at 50% Production 143 Days 

Peak Percent Hen-Day Production (age) 91% (27 weeks) 

Number of Hen-Day Eggs, 19–60 Weeks 241 


Number of Hen-Housed Eggs, 19–60 Weeks 236 


Number of Settable Hen-Housed Eggs, 25–60 Weeks 203 


Number of Female Chicks Produced, 25–60 Weeks 87 


Average Number of Female Chicks/Week, 25–60 Weeks 2.4 


Average Percent Hatchability, 25–60 Weeks 86% 


Female Body Weight, 18 Weeks 1.20 kg (2.7 lb) 

Female Body Weight, 65 Weeks (mature) 1.59 kg (3.5 lb) 

Male Body Weight, 18 Weeks 1.56 kg (3.4 lb) 

Male Body Weight, 65 Weeks (mature) 2.12 kg (4.7 lb) 


Feed Consumption Per Bird Housed, 1–18 Weeks (cumulative) 5.85 kg (12.9 lb) 

Feed Consumption Per Bird Housed, 19–65 Weeks (average daily total of males and females) 100 g (0.22 lb) 

Feed Consumption Per Dozen Eggs, 19–65 Weeks 1.48 kg (3.3 lb) 







Target Weights of Hy-Line W-36 Parent Pullets 




Body Weight 

Age Female Male 

Weeks g lb g lb 

1 65 0.14 65 0.14 

2 110 0.24 120 0.26 

3 175 0.39 180 0.40 

4 230 0.51 260 0.57 

5 300 0.66 375 0.83 

6 400 0.88 495 1.09 

7 480 1.06 635 1.40 

8 550 1.21 730 1.61 

9 650 1.43 840 1.85 

10 715 1.58 945 2.08 

11 780 1.72 1040 2.29 

12 860 1.90 1110 2.45 

13 900 1.98 1200 2.65 

14 970 2.14 1280 2.82 

15 1030 2.27 1370 3.02 

16 1100 2.43 1435 3.16 

17 1170 2.58 1490 3.28 

18 1200 2.65 1560 3.44 







Age 

in 

Weeks 

Age 

in 

Weeks 

g/day 

per 

bird 

g/day 

per 

bird 


Growing Period Feed Consumption—W-36 Parent 

lb/day 

per 

100 birds 

lb/day 

per 

100 birds 



Cumulative Age 

g/day lb/day 

Cumulative 

in 

per 

per 

kg lb Weeks 

bird 100 birds kg lb 

1 13 2.9 0.09 0.2 10 51 11.2 2.41 5.3 

2 16 3.5 0.20 0.4 11 53 11.7 2.78 6.1 

3 19 4.2 0.34 0.7 12 54 11.9 3.16 7.0 

4 29 6.4 0.54 1.2 13 56 12.3 3.55 7.8 

5 38 8.4 0.81 1.8 14 57 12.6 3.95 8.7 

6 41 9.0 1.09 2.4 15 59 13.0 4.36 9.6 

7 43 9.5 1.39 3.1 16 64 14.1 4.81 10.6 

8 46 10.1 1.72 3.8 17 71 15.7 5.31 11.7 

9 48 10.6 2.05 4.5 18 78 17.2 5.85 12.9 

Laying Period Feed Consumption—W-36 Parent 


g/day lb/day 

Cumulative 

in 

per 

per 

kg lb Weeks 


19 84 18.5 0.59 1.3 43 102 22.5 17.00 37.5 

20 86 19.0 1.19 2.6 44 102 22.5 17.72 39.1 

21 86 19.0 1.79 4.0 45 102 22.5 18.43 40.6 

22 90 19.8 2.42 5.3 46 102 22.5 19.15 42.2 

23 91 20.1 3.06 6.7 47 102 22.5 19.86 43.8 

24 95 20.9 3.72 8.2 48 102 22.5 20.57 45.4 

25 95 20.9 4.39 9.7 49 102 22.5 21.29 46.9 

26 95 20.9 5.05 11.1 50 102 22.5 22.00 48.5 

27 95 20.9 5.72 12.6 51 103 22.7 22.72 50.1 

28 100 22.0 6.42 14.2 52 103 22.7 23.44 51.7 

29 100 22.0 7.12 15.7 53 103 22.7 24.16 53.3 

30 100 22.0 7.82 17.2 54 103 22.7 24.89 54.9 

31 100 22.0 8.52 18.8 55 103 22.7 25.61 56.5 

32 100 22.0 9.22 20.3 56 103 22.7 26.33 58.1 

33 100 22.0 9.92 21.9 57 103 22.7 27.05 59.6 

34 101 22.3 10.63 23.4 58 103 22.7 27.77 61.2 

35 101 22.3 11.33 25.0 59 104 22.9 28.50 62.8 

36 101 22.3 12.04 26.5 60 104 22.9 29.23 64.4 

37 101 22.3 12.75 28.1 61 104 22.9 29.95 66.0 

38 101 22.3 13.45 29.7 62 104 22.9 30.68 67.7 

39 101 22.3 14.16 31.2 63 105 23.1 31.42 69.3 

40 101 22.3 14.87 32.8 64 105 23.1 32.15 70.9 

41 101 22.3 15.58 34.3 65 105 23.1 32.89 72.5 

42 102 22.5 16.29 35.9 







Water Consumption for Hy-Line W-36 Parent Pullets and Layers 





1 

2 

3 

4 

5 

6 

7 

8 

9 

10–15 

16–20 

21–25* 

Over 25* 


0.8–1.1 0.20–0.30 

1.1–1.9 0.30–0.50 

1.7–2.7 0.45–0.70 

2.5–3.8 0.65–1.00 

3.4–4.7 0.90–1.25 

4.5–5.7 1.20–1.50 

5.7–6.8 1.50–1.80 

6.1–8.0 1.60–2.10 

6.4–9.5 1.70–2.50 

6.8–10.2 1.80–2.70 

7.2–15.2 1.90–4.00 

9.9–18.2 2.60–4.80 

15.2–20.8 4.00–5.50 







Age 

in Weeks 

% 

Hen-Day 

Female % 

Mortality 

Male % 

Mortality 


Hy-Line W-36 Parent Performance Projection 

Number 

Hen-Day Eggs 

Number 

Hen-Housed Eggs 

Female 

Body Weight 

Average 

Egg Weight* 

Curr. Cum. Cum. Curr. Cum. Curr. Cum kg lb g/egg Net lb/30 

doz. case 

% 

Settable 



Number Settable 


% 

Hatch 

Number 

Female Chicks 

Curr. Cum. Curr. Cum. 

19 22 0.1 0.2 1.5 1.5 1.5 1.5 1.23 2.71 42.9 34.0 – – – – – – 

20 43 0.2 0.5 3.0 4.6 3.0 4.5 1.27 2.80 45.5 36.1 – – – – – – 

21 64 0.3 0.7 4.5 9.0 4.5 9.0 1.30 2.87 46.5 36.9 – – – – – – 

22 79 0.3 0.9 5.5 14.6 5.5 14.5 1.35 2.98 48.5 38.5 – – – – – – 

23 87 0.4 1.1 6.1 20.7 6.1 20.6 1.40 3.09 50.3 39.9 – – – – – – 

24 88 0.5 1.2 6.2 26.8 6.1 26.7 1.42 3.13 52.0 41.3 – – – – – – 

25 89 0.5 1.4 6.2 33.0 6.2 32.9 1.44 3.18 53.1 42.1 87 5.3 5.3 85 2.3 2.3 

26 90 0.6 1.6 6.3 39.3 6.3 39.2 1.45 3.20 53.8 42.7 94 5.8 11.2 86 2.5 4.8 

27 91 0.7 1.8 6.4 45.7 6.3 45.5 1.46 3.22 54.3 43.1 95 5.9 17.1 86 2.6 7.3 

28 91 0.8 1.9 6.4 52.1 6.3 51.8 1.47 3.24 55.1 43.7 96 6.1 23.2 87 2.6 10.0 

29 91 0.8 2.1 6.4 58.5 6.3 58.1 1.48 3.26 55.6 44.1 96 6.1 29.3 88 2.7 12.6 

30 90 0.9 2.2 6.3 64.8 6.2 64.4 1.49 3.29 56.1 44.5 97 6.1 35.4 88 2.7 15.3 

31 90 1.0 2.4 6.3 71.1 6.2 70.6 1.49 3.29 56.6 44.9 97 6.1 41.4 88 2.7 18.0 

32 90 1.0 2.6 6.3 77.4 6.2 76.9 1.50 3.31 57.1 45.3 97 6.1 47.5 89 2.7 20.7 

33 89 1.1 2.7 6.2 83.6 6.2 83.0 1.51 3.33 57.4 45.6 97 6.0 53.5 89 2.7 23.4 

34 89 1.2 2.9 6.2 89.8 6.2 89.2 1.51 3.33 57.9 46.0 97 6.0 59.5 88 2.6 26.0 

35 89 1.3 3.0 6.2 96.0 6.2 95.3 1.52 3.35 58.2 46.2 97 6.0 65.5 88 2.6 28.6 

36 88 1.4 3.1 6.2 102.2 6.1 101.4 1.52 3.35 58.4 46.3 97 6.0 71.4 88 2.6 31.3 

37 87 1.5 3.3 6.1 108.3 6.0 107.4 1.52 3.35 59.0 46.8 97 5.9 77.3 88 2.6 33.9 

38 87 1.5 3.4 6.1 114.4 6.0 113.4 1.53 3.37 59.2 47.0 97 5.8 83.2 87 2.5 36.4 

39 86 1.6 3.6 6.0 120.4 5.9 119.3 1.53 3.37 59.4 47.1 97 5.8 89.0 87 2.5 38.9 

40 86 1.7 3.7 6.0 126.4 5.9 125.2 1.53 3.37 59.6 47.3 97 5.7 94.7 87 2.5 41.4 

41 85 1.8 3.8 6.0 132.4 5.8 131.1 1.53 3.37 59.9 47.5 97 5.7 100.5 87 2.5 43.9 

42 85 1.9 3.9 6.0 138.3 5.8 136.9 1.54 3.40 60.1 47.7 97 5.7 106.1 87 2.5 46.4 

43 85 2.0 4.1 6.0 144.3 5.8 142.8 1.54 3.40 60.2 47.8 97 5.7 111.8 87 2.4 48.8 

44 84 2.1 4.2 5.9 150.2 5.8 148.5 1.54 3.40 60.5 48.0 97 5.7 117.4 86 2.4 51.3 

45 84 2.2 4.3 5.9 156.0 5.8 154.3 1.55 3.42 61.0 48.4 97 5.6 123.0 86 2.4 53.7 

46 83 2.3 4.4 5.8 161.8 5.7 159.9 1.55 3.42 61.1 48.5 97 5.6 128.6 86 2.4 56.1 

47 83 2.4 4.5 5.8 167.7 5.7 165.6 1.55 3.42 61.3 48.7 97 5.5 134.1 86 2.4 58.4 

48 82 2.4 4.6 5.7 173.4 5.6 171.2 1.55 3.42 61.3 48.7 97 5.5 139.6 86 2.4 60.8 

49 82 2.5 4.7 5.7 179.1 5.6 176.8 1.55 3.42 61.4 48.7 97 5.4 145.1 86 2.3 63.1 

50 82 2.6 4.8 5.7 184.9 5.6 182.4 1.56 3.44 61.6 48.9 97 5.4 150.5 85 2.3 65.4 

51 81 2.7 4.9 5.7 190.5 5.5 187.9 1.56 3.44 61.8 49.0 97 5.4 155.9 85 2.3 67.7 

52 81 2.8 5.0 5.7 196.2 5.5 193.4 1.56 3.44 61.9 49.1 97 5.3 161.3 85 2.3 70.0 

53 81 2.9 5.1 5.7 201.9 5.5 198.9 1.56 3.44 62.0 49.2 97 5.3 166.6 84 2.2 72.3 

54 80 3.0 5.2 5.6 207.5 5.4 204.4 1.57 3.46 62.1 49.3 97 5.3 171.9 84 2.2 74.5 

55 80 3.1 5.3 5.6 213.1 5.4 209.8 1.57 3.46 62.2 49.4 97 5.3 177.2 84 2.2 76.7 

56 79 3.2 5.4 5.5 218.6 5.4 215.1 1.57 3.46 62.2 49.4 96 5.2 182.4 84 2.2 78.9 

57 79 3.3 5.5 5.5 224.1 5.3 220.5 1.57 3.46 62.3 49.4 96 5.1 187.5 83 2.1 81.0 

58 78 3.4 5.6 5.5 229.6 5.3 225.7 1.58 3.48 62.3 49.4 96 5.1 192.7 83 2.1 83.1 

59 78 3.5 5.7 5.5 235.1 5.3 231.0 1.58 3.48 62.4 49.5 96 5.1 197.7 82 2.1 85.2 

60 78 3.6 5.8 5.5 240.5 5.3 236.3 1.58 3.48 62.4 49.5 96 5.1 202.8 81 2.0 87.3 

61 77 3.8 5.9 5.4 245.9 5.2 241.5 1.58 3.48 62.5 49.6 96 5.1 207.8 80 2.0 89.3 

62 77 3.9 6.0 5.4 251.3 5.2 246.6 1.58 3.48 62.5 49.6 96 5.0 212.8 79 2.0 91.3 

63 77 4.0 6.0 5.4 256.7 5.2 251.8 1.58 3.48 62.7 49.8 96 5.0 217.8 78 2.0 93.2 

64 77 4.1 6.1 5.4 262.1 5.2 257.0 1.59 3.51 62.7 49.8 96 5.0 222.8 78 1.9 95.1 

65 77 4.2 6.2 5.4 267.5 5.2 262.2 1.59 3.51 62.8 49.8 96 5.0 227.7 77 1.9 97.0 















Growing Period Nutritional Recommendations—W-36 Parent 




Feed to a body weight of 175 g to 400 g to 860 g to 1170 g to 1230 g 







Lysine, % 1.07 0.88 0.79 0.72 0.78 

Methionine, % 0.45 0.40 0.36 0.34 0.37 


Threonine, % 0.70 0.58 0.53 0.49 0.55 

Tryptophan, % 0.18 0.15 0.14 0.14 0.16 

Arginine, % 1.16 0.95 0.85 0.78 0.84 

Isoleucine, % 0.75 0.63 0.58 0.54 0.62 

Valine, % 0.77 0.65 0.62 0.58 0.66 


Lysine, % 1.17 0.96 0.86 0.79 0.85 

Methionine, % 0.48 0.43 0.39 0.36 0.39 


Threonine, % 0.82 0.68 0.62 0.58 0.64 

Tryptophan, % 0.22 0.18 0.17 0.16 0.19 

Arginine, % 1.24 1.02 0.92 0.84 0.91 

Isoleucine, % 0.81 0.68 0.63 0.58 0.67 

Valine, % 0.85 0.72 0.68 0.64 0.73 


Calcium, 4 % 1.10 1.10 1.10 1.40 2.50 


Sodium, % 0.18 0.18 0.18 0.18 0.18 

Chloride, % 0.18 0.18 0.18 0.18 0.18 



















83 to 80% 


Less than 80% 








Lysine, mg/day 810 775 740 720 







Valine, mg/day 729 698 666 648 


Laying Period Nutritional Recommendations—W-36 Parent 


Lysine, mg/day 887 849 810 788 







Valine, mg/day 804 769 735 715 


Calcium, 4 g/day 4.20 4.25 4.50 4.65 


Sodium, mg/day 180 180 180 180 



Choline, mg/day 100 100 100 100 

















83 to 80% 



Less than 80% 







g/day per hen 81 86 91* 96 101 84 89 94* 99 104 86 91 96* 101 106 88 93 98* 103 108 

lb/day per 100 hens 17.9 19.0 20.1* 21.2 22.3 18.5 19.6 20.7* 21.8 22.9 19.0 20.1 21.2* 22.3 23.4 19.4 20.5 21.6* 22.7 23.8 


Lysine, % 1.00 0.94 0.89 0.84 0.80 0.92 0.87 0.82 0.78 0.75 0.86 0.81 0.77 0.73 0.70 0.82 0.77 0.73 0.70 0.67 

Methionine, % 0.49 0.46 0.44 0.41 0.39 0.45 0.43 0.40 0.38 0.37 0.42 0.40 0.38 0.36 0.34 0.38 0.36 0.34 0.33 0.31 


Threonine, % 0.70 0.66 0.62 0.59 0.56 0.65 0.61 0.58 0.55 0.52 0.60 0.57 0.54 0.51 0.49 0.57 0.54 0.51 0.49 0.47 

Tryptophan, % 0.21 0.20 0.19 0.18 0.17 0.19 0.18 0.17 0.16 0.16 0.18 0.17 0.16 0.15 0.15 0.17 0.16 0.15 0.15 0.14 

Arginine, % 1.07 1.01 0.95 0.90 0.86 0.99 0.93 0.88 0.84 0.80 0.92 0.87 0.83 0.78 0.75 0.88 0.83 0.79 0.75 0.71 

Isoleucine, % 0.79 0.74 0.70 0.67 0.63 0.73 0.69 0.65 0.62 0.59 0.68 0.64 0.61 0.58 0.55 0.65 0.61 0.58 0.55 0.53 

Valine, % 0.90 0.85 0.80 0.76 0.72 0.83 0.78 0.74 0.71 0.67 0.77 0.73 0.69 0.66 0.63 0.74 0.70 0.66 0.63 0.60 



Lysine, % 1.10 1.03 0.97 0.92 0.88 1.01 0.95 0.90 0.86 0.82 0.94 0.89 0.84 0.80 0.76 0.90 0.85 0.80 0.77 0.73 

Methionine, % 0.53 0.50 0.47 0.44 0.42 0.49 0.46 0.43 0.41 0.39 0.45 0.43 0.41 0.39 0.37 0.41 0.39 0.37 0.35 0.34 


Threonine, % 0.82 0.78 0.73 0.69 0.66 0.76 0.72 0.68 0.64 0.61 0.71 0.67 0.63 0.60 0.57 0.67 0.64 0.61 0.58 0.55 

Tryptophan, % 0.25 0.24 0.22 0.21 0.20 0.23 0.22 0.21 0.20 0.19 0.22 0.20 0.19 0.18 0.18 0.21 0.19 0.18 0.18 0.17 

Arginine, % 1.15 1.08 1.02 0.97 0.92 1.06 1.00 0.95 0.90 0.86 0.99 0.94 0.89 0.84 0.80 0.94 0.89 0.84 0.80 0.77 

Isoleucine, % 0.85 0.80 0.76 0.72 0.68 0.78 0.74 0.70 0.66 0.63 0.73 0.69 0.66 0.62 0.59 0.70 0.66 0.62 0.59 0.57 

Valine, % 0.99 0.93 0.88 0.84 0.80 0.92 0.86 0.82 0.78 0.74 0.85 0.81 0.77 0.73 0.69 0.81 0.77 0.73 0.69 0.66 

Crude protein 

(nitrogen × 6.25), 3 % 

19.75 18.60 17.58 16.67 15.84 18.45 17.42 16.49 15.66 14.90 17.73 16.76 15.89 15.10 14.39 17.05 16.13 15.31 14.56 13.89 

Calcium, 4 % 5.19 4.88 4.62 4.38 4.16 5.06 4.78 4.52 4.29 4.09 5.23 4.95 4.69 4.46 4.25 5.28 5.00 4.74 4.51 4.31 

Phosphorus (available), 5 % 0.60 0.56 0.53 0.51 0.48 0.57 0.53 0.51 0.48 0.46 0.51 0.48 0.46 0.44 0.42 0.48 0.45 0.43 0.41 0.39 

Sodium, % 0.22 0.21 0.20 0.19 0.18 0.21 0.20 0.19 0.18 0.17 0.21 0.20 0.19 0.18 0.17 0.20 0.19 0.18 0.17 0.17 

Chloride, % 0.22 0.21 0.20 0.19 0.18 0.21 0.20 0.19 0.18 0.17 0.21 0.20 0.19 0.18 0.17 0.20 0.19 0.18 0.17 0.17 











5 Digestible phosphorus is sometimes preferred over available phosphorus. However, there are insuffi cient data available to make recommendations about a minimum 

dietary digettible-phosphorus content for Hy-Line birds. Instead, use the available-phosphorus recommendations and the available-phosphorus contents of feed 

ingredients shown in the Hy-Line Red Book. 





Contents 







Health 



Vitamins 


—— 






—— 





Stock 





Parent Stock 





Download the combined W-98 Parent Stock performance and nutrition-recommendations 


W-98 Parent Stock growing period nutritional recommendations 





Hy-Line W-98 Parent Stock growing period nutritional 


Item 1 


grams 

Starter 

1 

Starter 

2 


Prelay 

6 

175 400 895 1150 1330 




kcal/lb 


kcal/kg 


MJ/kg 

1370-1410 1360-1400 1350-1390 1350-1390 1320- 

1340 

3020-3110 3000-3085 2975-3065 2975-3065 2910- 

2955 

12.65- 

13.00 



12.55- 

12.90 

12.45- 

12.85 

12.45-12.85 12.20- 

12.35 

Lysine, % 1.07 0.88 0.79 0.72 0.78 

Methionine, % 0.45 0.40 0.36 0.34 0.37 


Threonine, % 0.70 0.58 0.53 0.49 0.55 

Tryptophan, % 0.18 0.15 0.14 0.14 0.16

Arginine, % 1.16 0.95 0.85 0.78 0.84 

Isoleucine, % 0.75 0.63 0.58 0.54 0.62 

Valine, % 0.77 0.65 0.62 0.58 0.66 


Lysine, % 1.17 0.96 0.86 0.79 0.85 

Methionine, % 0.48 0.43 0.39 0.36 0.39 


Threonine, % 0.82 0.68 0.62 0.58 0.64 

Tryptophan, % 0.22 0.18 0.17 0.16 0.19 

Arginine, % 1.24 1.02 0.92 0.84 0.91 

Isoleucine, % 0.81 0.68 0.63 0.58 0.67 

Valine, % 0.85 0.72 0.68 0.64 0.73 


% 20.0 18.0 16.0 15.5 17.5 

Calcium, 4 % 1.1 1.1 1.1 1.4 2.5 


Sodium (Na), % 0.18 0.18 0.18 0.18 0.18 

Chloride, % 0.18 0.18 0.18 0.18 0.18 


















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Contents 







Health 



Vitamins 


—— 






—— 





Stock 





Parent Stock 







W-98 Parent Stock laying period nutritional recommendations 








Table 1. Hy-Line W-98 Parent Stock laying period nutritional 


Item 


86% egg 

production 

Approximate 

age, weeks 

Point-oflay 

to 32 


Metabolizable 


Metabolizable 


Metabolizable 

energy, MJ/kg 

1290- 

1325 

2845- 

2920 

11.90- 

12.25 



85-79% egg 

production 

Less than 79% 


33-44 45-55 56+ 

1290-1325 1280-1325 1270-1290 

2845-2920 2820-2920 2800-2845 

11.90-12.25 11.80-12.25 11.70-11.90 

Lysine, mg/day 820 785 730 715 

Methionine, 

mg/day 

361 345 321 300 

Methionine + 599 573 533 493


Threonine, 

mg/day 

Tryptophan, 

mg/day 

574 550 511 501 

172 165 153 150 


Isoleucine, 

mg/day 

648 620 577 565 

Valine, mg/day 738 707 657 644 


Lysine, mg/day 898 859 799 783 

Methionine, 

mg/day 

Methionine + 


Threonine, 

mg/day 

Tryptophan, 

mg/day 

388 371 345 323 

675 646 601 556 

675 646 601 589 

206 197 183 179 


Isoleucine, 

mg/day 

697 667 620 607 

Valine, mg/day 814 779 725 710 


× 6.25), 3 g/day 16.50 16.00 15.50 15.00 

Calcium, 4 g/day 4.00 4.25 4.40 4.50 

Phosphorus 


mg/day 

Sodium (Na), 

mg/day 

500 450 400 350 

180 180 180 180 


Linoleic acid 

(C18:2 n-6), 

g/day 

1.0 1.0 1.0 1.0 

Choline, mg/day 100 100 100 100 





substantially among regions; in some cases, the dietary recommended energy content may have to be












MJ/kg 




Lysine, % 0.96 0.91 0.86 0.82 0.78 

Methionine, % 0.42 0.40 0.38 0.36 0.34 


Threonine, % 0.68 0.64 0.60 0.57 0.55 

Tryptophan, % 0.20 0.19 0.18 0.17 0.16 

Arginine, % 1.03 0.97 0.92 0.88 0.84 

Isoleucine, % 0.76 0.72 0.68 0.65 0.62 

Valine, % 0.87 0.82 0.78 0.74 0.70 


Lysine, % 1.06 1.00 0.95 0.90 0.86 

Methionine, % 0.46 0.43 0.41 0.39 0.37 


Threonine, % 0.79 0.75 0.71 0.68 0.64 

Tryptophan, % 0.24 0.23 0.22 0.21 0.20 

Arginine, % 1.11 1.05 0.99 0.94 0.90 

Isoleucine, % 0.82 0.77 0.73 0.70 0.66 

Valine, % 0.96 0.90 0.86 0.81 0.78 


Calcium, 4 % 4.71 4.44 4.21 4.00 3.81 


Sodium (Na), % 0.21 0.20 0.19 0.18 0.17 

Chloride, % 0.21 0.20 0.19 0.18 0.17



















MJ/kg 




Lysine, % 0.86 0.82 0.78 0.74 0.71 

Methionine, % 0.38 0.36 0.34 0.33 0.31 


Threonine, % 0.60 0.57 0.54 0.52 0.50 

Tryptophan, % 0.18 0.17 0.16 0.16 0.15 

Arginine, % 0.92 0.88 0.83 0.79 0.76 

Isoleucine, % 0.68 0.65 0.61 0.58 0.56 

Valine, % 0.78 0.74 0.70 0.67 0.64 


Lysine, % 0.94 0.89 0.85 0.81 0.77 

Methionine, % 0.41 0.39 0.37 0.35 0.33 


Threonine, % 0.71 0.67 0.64 0.61 0.58 

Tryptophan, % 0.22 0.21 0.20 0.19 0.18 

Arginine, % 0.99 0.94 0.89 0.85 0.81 

Isoleucine, % 0.73 0.69 0.66 0.63 0.60 

Valine, % 0.86 0.81 0.77 0.73 0.70


Calcium, 4 % 4.67 4.43 4.21 4.01 3.83 


Sodium (Na), % 0.20 0.19 0.18 0.17 0.16 

Chloride, % 0.20 0.19 0.18 0.17 0.16 



















MJ/kg 




Lysine, % 0.78 0.74 0.70 0.67 0.64 

Methionine, % 0.34 0.32 0.31 0.29 0.28 


Threonine, % 0.54 0.52 0.49 0.47 0.45 

Tryptophan, % 0.16 0.15 0.15 0.14 0.13 

Arginine, % 0.83 0.79 0.75 0.72 0.69 

Isoleucine, % 0.61 0.58 0.55 0.53 0.51 

Valine, % 0.70 0.66 0.63 0.60 0.58 


Lysine, % 0.85 0.81 0.77 0.73 0.70 

Methionine, % 0.37 0.35 0.33 0.32 0.30


Threonine, % 0.64 0.61 0.58 0.55 0.53 

Tryptophan, % 0.19 0.18 0.18 0.17 0.16 

Arginine, % 0.89 0.85 0.81 0.77 0.74 

Isoleucine, % 0.66 0.63 0.60 0.57 0.54 

Valine, % 0.77 0.73 0.70 0.67 0.64 


Calcium, 4 % 4.68 4.44 4.23 4.04 3.86 


Sodium (Na), % 0.19 0.18 0.17 0.17 0.16 

Chloride, % 0.19 0.18 0.17 0.17 0.16 



















MJ/kg 




Lysine, % 0.74 0.71 0.67 0.64 0.62 

Methionine, % 0.31 0.30 0.28 0.27 0.26 


Threonine, % 0.52 0.50 0.47 0.45 0.43 

Tryptophan, % 0.16 0.15 0.14 0.14 0.13 

Arginine, % 0.80 0.76 0.72 0.69 0.66

Isoleucine, % 0.59 0.56 0.53 0.51 0.49 

Valine, % 0.67 0.64 0.61 0.58 0.56 


Lysine, % 0.82 0.78 0.74 0.71 0.68 

Methionine, % 0.34 0.32 0.30 0.29 0.28 


Threonine, % 0.61 0.58 0.56 0.53 0.51 

Tryptophan, % 0.19 0.18 0.17 0.16 0.15 

Arginine, % 0.86 0.81 0.78 0.74 0.71 

Isoleucine, % 0.63 0.60 0.57 0.55 0.52 

Valine, % 0.74 0.70 0.67 0.64 0.61 


Calcium, 4 % 4.69 4.46 4.25 4.05 3.88 


Sodium (Na), % 0.19 0.18 0.17 0.16 0.16 

Chloride, % 0.19 0.18 0.17 0.16 0.16 



















www.hyline.com

Contents 







Health 



Vitamins 


—— 






—— 





Stock 





Parent Stock 












For the Hy-Line W-98 Parent Stock, the following suggested diet program is used with 























age. 



















feed intake of the Hy-Line W-98 Parent Stock does not change much after this time, so 





Diet matrix 













Suggested diet matrix for Hy-Line W-98 Parent Stock. 1,2 The matrix is 




accordingly. 

Age 






















g/day again.








































Body Weight 



1 65 0.14 60 0.13 

2 110 0.24 120 0.26 

3 175 0.39 180 0.40 

4 240 0.53 260 0.57 

5 310 0.68 380 0.84 

6 400 0.88 490 1.08 

7 485 1.07 625 1.38 

8 570 1.26 730 1.61 

9 630 1.39 830 1.83 

10 730 1.61 960 2.12 

11 820 1.81 1050 2.32 

12 895 1.97 1110 2.45 

13 965 2.13 1190 2.62 

14 1030 2.27 1250 2.76 

15 1080 2.38 1320 2.91 

16 1110 2.45 1380 3.04 

17 1150 2.54 1420 3.13 

18 1210 2.67 1480 3.26 







Age 

in 

Weeks 

Age 

in 

Weeks 

g/day 

per 

bird 

g/day 

per 

bird 



lb/day 

per 

100 birds 


lb/day 

per 

100 birds 




g/day lb/day 

Cumulative 

in 

per 

per 

kg lb Weeks 


1 13 2.9 0.09 0.2 10 54 11.9 2.54 5.6 

2 17 3.7 0.21 0.5 11 56 12.3 2.93 6.5 

3 22 4.9 0.36 0.8 12 57 12.6 3.33 7.3 

4 30 6.6 0.57 1.3 13 59 13.0 3.75 8.3 

5 40 8.8 0.85 1.9 14 62 13.7 4.18 9.2 

6 43 9.5 1.16 2.5 15 66 14.6 4.64 10.2 

7 45 9.9 1.47 3.2 16 71 15.7 5.14 11.3 

8 48 10.6 1.81 4.0 17 77 17.0 5.68 12.5 

9 51 11.2 2.16 4.8 18 83 18.3 6.26 13.8 


g/day lb/day 

Cumulative 

in 

per 

per 

kg lb Weeks 


19 80 17.6 0.56 1.2 43 107 23.6 17.61 38.8 

20 84 18.5 1.15 2.5 44 107 23.6 18.35 40.5 

21 86 19.0 1.75 3.9 45 107 23.6 19.10 42.1 

22 90 19.8 2.38 5.2 46 107 23.6 19.85 43.8 

23 92 20.3 3.02 6.7 47 108 23.8 20.61 45.4 

24 96 21.2 3.70 8.1 48 108 23.8 21.36 47.1 

25 100 22.0 4.40 9.7 49 108 23.8 22.12 48.8 

26 102 22.5 5.11 11.3 50 108 23.8 22.88 50.4 

27 102 22.5 5.82 12.8 51 108 23.8 23.63 52.1 

28 103 22.7 6.55 14.4 52 109 24.0 24.40 53.8 

29 103 22.7 7.27 16.0 53 109 24.0 25.16 55.5 

30 104 22.9 7.99 17.6 54 109 24.0 25.92 57.2 

31 104 22.9 8.72 19.2 55 109 24.0 26.68 58.8 

32 104 22.9 9.45 20.8 56 109 24.0 27.45 60.5 

33 105 23.1 10.19 22.5 57 110 24.3 28.22 62.2 

34 105 23.1 10.92 24.1 58 110 24.3 28.99 63.9 

35 105 23.1 11.66 25.7 59 110 24.3 29.76 65.6 

36 106 23.4 12.40 27.3 60 110 24.3 30.53 67.3 

37 106 23.4 13.14 29.0 61 110 24.3 31.30 69.0 

38 106 23.4 13.88 30.6 62 110 24.3 32.07 70.7 

39 106 23.4 14.62 32.2 63 111 24.5 32.84 72.4 

40 106 23.4 15.37 33.9 64 111 24.5 33.62 74.1 

41 106 23.4 16.11 35.5 65 111 24.5 34.40 75.8 

42 107 23.6 16.86 37.2 












1 

2 

3 

4 

5 

6 

7 

8 

9 

10–15 

16–20 

21–25* 

Over 25* 


0.8–1.1 0.20–0.30 

1.1–1.9 0.30–0.50 

1.7–2.7 0.45–0.70 

2.5–3.8 0.65–1.00 

3.4–4.7 0.90–1.25 

4.5–5.7 1.20–1.50 

5.7–6.8 1.50–1.80 

6.1–8.0 1.60–2.10 

6.4–9.5 1.70–2.50 

6.8–10.2 1.80–2.70 

7.2–15.2 1.90–4.00 

9.9–18.2 2.60–4.80 

15.2–20.8 4.00–5.50 







Age 

in Weeks 

% 

Hen-Day 

Female % 

Mortality 

Male % 

Mortality 


Hy-Line W-98 Parent Stock Performance Projection 

Number 

Hen-Day Eggs 

Number 


Female 

Body Weight 

Average 

Egg Weight* 


doz. case 

% 

Settable 





% 

Hatch 

Number 

Female Chicks 


19 20 0.1 0.3 1.4 1.4 1.4 1.4 1.33 2.93 – – – – – – – – 

20 42 0.3 0.6 2.9 4.3 2.9 4.3 1.38 3.04 44.1 35.0 – – – – – – 

21 60 0.4 0.9 4.2 8.5 4.2 8.5 1.42 3.13 48.3 38.3 – – – – – – 

22 78 0.5 1.2 5.5 14.0 5.4 13.9 1.44 3.18 50.5 40.1 – – – – – – 

23 85 0.6 1.5 6.0 20.0 5.9 19.9 1.48 3.26 51.6 40.9 – – – – – – 

24 90 0.7 1.8 6.3 26.3 6.3 26.1 1.52 3.35 52.1 41.3 76 4.5 4.5 86 1.9 1.9 

25 91 0.8 2.0 6.4 32.6 6.3 32.4 1.56 3.44 53.4 42.4 84 5.3 9.7 87 2.3 4.2 

26 92 0.9 2.3 6.4 39.1 6.4 38.8 1.56 3.44 54.0 42.8 92 5.8 15.6 88 2.6 6.8 

27 92 1.0 2.6 6.4 45.5 6.4 45.2 1.58 3.48 54.2 43.0 96 6.1 21.7 89 2.7 9.5 

28 91 1.1 2.8 6.4 51.9 6.3 51.5 1.58 3.48 55.1 43.7 96 6.1 27.8 90 2.8 12.3 

29 91 1.2 3.1 6.4 58.2 6.3 57.8 1.58 3.48 55.8 44.3 96 6.1 33.9 90 2.7 15.0 

30 91 1.3 3.3 6.4 64.6 6.3 64.1 1.60 3.53 56.1 44.5 97 6.1 40.0 90 2.7 17.7 

31 91 1.4 3.6 6.4 71.0 6.3 70.3 1.60 3.53 56.2 44.6 97 6.1 46.1 90 2.7 20.5 

32 91 1.5 3.8 6.4 77.4 6.3 76.6 1.60 3.53 56.6 44.9 97 6.1 52.2 90 2.7 23.2 

33 91 1.6 4.1 6.4 83.7 6.3 82.9 1.60 3.53 57.1 45.3 97 6.1 58.2 90 2.7 25.9 

34 90 1.7 4.3 6.3 90.0 6.2 89.1 1.60 3.53 57.5 45.6 97 6.1 64.3 91 2.7 28.7 

35 90 1.8 4.5 6.3 96.3 6.2 95.3 1.60 3.53 57.6 45.7 97 6.0 70.3 91 2.7 31.4 

36 90 1.9 4.7 6.3 102.6 6.2 101.5 1.62 3.57 58.0 46.0 97 6.0 76.3 91 2.7 34.2 

37 89 2.0 5.0 6.2 108.9 6.1 107.6 1.62 3.57 58.3 46.3 97 6.0 82.3 91 2.7 36.9 

38 89 2.1 5.2 6.2 115.1 6.1 113.7 1.62 3.57 58.4 46.3 97 5.9 88.3 91 2.7 39.6 

39 88 2.2 5.4 6.2 121.2 6.0 119.7 1.62 3.57 58.8 46.7 97 5.9 94.2 90 2.7 42.3 

40 88 2.3 5.6 6.2 127.4 6.0 125.7 1.62 3.57 59.2 47.0 96 5.8 100.0 90 2.6 44.9 

41 87 2.4 5.8 6.1 133.5 5.9 131.7 1.62 3.57 59.5 47.2 96 5.8 105.7 89 2.6 47.4 

42 87 2.5 6.0 6.1 139.6 5.9 137.6 1.62 3.57 59.7 47.4 96 5.7 111.4 89 2.5 50.0 

43 86 2.6 6.2 6.0 145.6 5.9 143.5 1.63 3.59 60.0 47.6 96 5.7 117.1 89 2.5 52.5 

44 86 2.7 6.4 6.0 151.6 5.9 149.3 1.63 3.59 60.2 47.8 95 5.6 122.7 89 2.5 55.0 

45 85 2.8 6.6 6.0 157.6 5.8 155.1 1.63 3.59 60.3 47.9 95 5.6 128.3 89 2.5 57.5 

46 84 3.0 6.7 5.9 163.5 5.7 160.8 1.63 3.59 60.5 48.0 95 5.5 133.8 88 2.4 59.9 

47 84 3.1 6.9 5.9 169.3 5.7 166.5 1.63 3.59 60.9 48.3 95 5.4 139.2 87 2.4 62.2 

48 83 3.2 7.1 5.8 175.1 5.6 172.1 1.63 3.59 61.0 48.4 95 5.4 144.6 86 2.3 64.6 

49 83 3.3 7.3 5.8 181.0 5.6 177.7 1.63 3.59 61.2 48.6 95 5.3 150.0 86 2.3 66.9 

50 83 3.5 7.5 5.8 186.8 5.6 183.3 1.63 3.59 61.3 48.6 95 5.3 155.3 85 2.3 69.1 

51 82 3.6 7.7 5.7 192.5 5.5 188.9 1.63 3.59 61.4 48.7 95 5.3 160.6 85 2.3 71.4 

52 81 3.8 7.9 5.7 198.2 5.5 194.3 1.63 3.59 61.5 48.8 95 5.3 165.9 85 2.2 73.6 

53 80 3.9 8.1 5.6 203.8 5.4 199.7 1.63 3.59 61.7 49.0 94 5.1 171.0 85 2.2 75.8 

54 80 4.1 8.3 5.6 209.4 5.4 205.1 1.63 3.59 61.9 49.1 94 5.1 176.0 84 2.1 77.9 

55 79 4.2 8.4 5.5 214.9 5.3 210.4 1.64 3.62 62.0 49.2 94 5.1 181.1 83 2.1 80.0 

56 79 4.4 8.6 5.5 220.4 5.3 215.7 1.64 3.62 62.1 49.3 94 5.0 186.1 82 2.0 82.1 

57 78 4.5 8.8 5.5 225.9 5.2 220.9 1.64 3.62 62.2 49.4 94 5.0 191.1 81 2.0 84.1 

58 78 4.7 9.0 5.5 231.4 5.2 226.1 1.64 3.62 62.4 49.5 94 4.9 196.0 80 2.0 86.1 

59 77 4.8 9.2 5.4 236.7 5.1 231.2 1.64 3.62 62.5 49.6 94 4.9 200.9 79 1.9 88.0 

60 77 5.0 9.3 5.4 242.1 5.1 236.4 1.64 3.62 62.6 49.7 94 4.8 205.7 78 1.9 89.9 

61 76 5.2 9.5 5.3 247.5 5.0 241.4 1.64 3.62 62.8 49.8 94 4.8 210.5 77 1.9 91.7 

62 76 5.3 9.7 5.3 252.8 5.0 246.4 1.64 3.62 62.8 49.8 94 4.7 215.2 76 1.8 93.5 

63 76 5.5 9.9 5.3 258.1 5.0 251.5 1.64 3.62 62.9 49.9 93 4.7 219.9 75 1.8 95.3 

64 75 5.7 10.1 5.3 263.3 4.9 256.4 1.64 3.62 62.9 49.9 93 4.7 224.6 75 1.8 97.0 

65 75 5.9 10.2 5.3 268.6 4.9 261.3 1.64 3.62 62.9 49.9 93 4.6 229.2 74 1.7 98.7 















Growing Period Nutritional Recommendations—W-98 Parent 











Lysine, % 1.07 0.88 0.79 0.72 0.78 

Methionine, % 0.45 0.40 0.36 0.34 0.37 


Threonine, % 0.70 0.58 0.53 0.49 0.55 

Tryptophan, % 0.18 0.15 0.14 0.14 0.16 

Arginine, % 1.16 0.95 0.85 0.78 0.84 

Isoleucine, % 0.75 0.63 0.58 0.54 0.62 

Valine, % 0.77 0.65 0.62 0.58 0.66 


Lysine, % 1.17 0.96 0.86 0.79 0.85 

Methionine, % 0.48 0.43 0.39 0.36 0.39 


Threonine, % 0.82 0.68 0.62 0.58 0.64 

Tryptophan, % 0.22 0.18 0.17 0.16 0.19 

Arginine, % 1.24 1.02 0.92 0.84 0.91 

Isoleucine, % 0.81 0.68 0.63 0.58 0.67 

Valine, % 0.85 0.72 0.68 0.64 0.73 


Calcium, 4 % 1.10 1.10 1.10 1.40 2.50 


Sodium, % 0.18 0.18 0.18 0.18 0.18 

Chloride, % 0.18 0.18 0.18 0.18 0.18 



















85 to 79% 


Less than 79% 








Lysine, mg/day 820 785 730 715 







Valine, mg/day 738 707 657 644 




Lysine, mg/day 898 859 799 783 







Valine, mg/day 814 779 725 710 


Calcium, 4 g/day 4.00 4.25 4.40 4.50 


Sodium, mg/day 180 180 180 180 



Choline, mg/day 100 100 100 100 

















85 to 79% 



Less than 79% 







g/day per hen 85 90 95* 100 105 91 96 101* 106 111 94 99 104* 109 114 96 101 106* 111 116 

lb/day per 100 hens 18.7 19.8 20.9* 22.1 23.2 20.1 21.2 22.3* 23.4 24.5 20.7 21.8 22.9* 24.0 25.1 21.2 22.3 23.4* 24.5 25.6 


Lysine, % 0.96 0.91 0.86 0.82 0.78 0.86 0.82 0.78 0.74 0.71 0.78 0.74 0.70 0.67 0.64 0.74 0.71 0.67 0.64 0.62 

Methionine, % 0.42 0.40 0.38 0.36 0.34 0.38 0.36 0.34 0.33 0.31 0.34 0.32 0.31 0.29 0.28 0.31 0.30 0.28 0.27 0.26 


Threonine, % 0.68 0.64 0.60 0.57 0.55 0.60 0.57 0.54 0.52 0.50 0.54 0.52 0.49 0.47 0.45 0.52 0.50 0.47 0.45 0.43 

Tryptophan, % 0.20 0.19 0.18 0.17 0.16 0.18 0.17 0.16 0.16 0.15 0.16 0.15 0.15 0.14 0.13 0.16 0.15 0.14 0.14 0.13 

Arginine, % 1.03 0.97 0.92 0.88 0.84 0.92 0.88 0.83 0.79 0.76 0.83 0.79 0.75 0.72 0.69 0.80 0.76 0.72 0.69 0.66 

Isoleucine, % 0.76 0.72 0.68 0.65 0.62 0.68 0.65 0.61 0.58 0.56 0.61 0.58 0.55 0.53 0.51 0.59 0.56 0.53 0.51 0.49 

Valine, % 0.87 0.82 0.78 0.74 0.70 0.78 0.74 0.70 0.67 0.64 0.70 0.66 0.63 0.60 0.58 0.67 0.64 0.61 0.58 0.56 


Laying Period Nutritional Recommendations—W-98 Parent Stock 

Lysine, % 1.06 1.00 0.95 0.90 0.86 0.94 0.89 0.85 0.81 0.77 0.85 0.81 0.77 0.73 0.70 0.82 0.78 0.74 0.71 0.68 

Methionine, % 0.46 0.43 0.41 0.39 0.37 0.41 0.39 0.37 0.35 0.33 0.37 0.35 0.33 0.32 0.30 0.34 0.32 0.30 0.29 0.28 


Threonine, % 0.79 0.75 0.71 0.68 0.64 0.71 0.67 0.64 0.61 0.58 0.64 0.61 0.58 0.55 0.53 0.61 0.58 0.56 0.53 0.51 

Tryptophan, % 0.24 0.23 0.22 0.21 0.20 0.22 0.21 0.20 0.19 0.18 0.19 0.18 0.18 0.17 0.16 0.19 0.18 0.17 0.16 0.15 

Arginine, % 1.11 1.05 0.99 0.94 0.90 0.99 0.94 0.89 0.85 0.81 0.89 0.85 0.81 0.77 0.74 0.86 0.81 0.78 0.74 0.71 

Isoleucine, % 0.82 0.77 0.73 0.70 0.66 0.73 0.69 0.66 0.63 0.60 0.66 0.63 0.60 0.57 0.54 0.63 0.60 0.57 0.55 0.52 

Valine, % 0.96 0.90 0.86 0.81 0.78 0.86 0.81 0.77 0.73 0.70 0.77 0.73 0.70 0.67 0.64 0.74 0.70 0.67 0.64 0.61 

Crude protein 

(nitrogen × 6.25), 3 % 

19.41 18.33 17.37 16.50 15.71 17.58 16.67 15.84 15.09 14.41 16.49 15.66 14.90 14.22 13.60 15.63 14.85 14.15 13.51 12.93 

Calcium, 4 % 4.71 4.44 4.21 4.00 3.81 4.67 4.43 4.21 4.01 3.83 4.68 4.44 4.23 4.04 3.86 4.69 4.46 4.25 4.05 3.88 


Sodium, % 0.21 0.20 0.19 0.18 0.17 0.20 0.19 0.18 0.17 0.16 0.19 0.18 0.17 0.17 0.16 0.19 0.18 0.17 0.16 0.16 

Chloride, % 0.21 0.20 0.19 0.18 0.17 0.20 0.19 0.18 0.17 0.16 0.19 0.18 0.17 0.17 0.16 0.19 0.18 0.17 0.16 0.16 


















Contents 







Health 



Vitamins 


—— 






—— 





Stock 





Parent Stock 







Hy-Line Brown Parent Stock growing period nutritional 






Hy-Line Brown Parent Stock growing period nutritional 


Item 1 


grams 

Starter 

1 

Starter 

2 


Prelay 

6 

175 440 990 1360 1530 




kcal/lb 


kcal/kg 


MJ/kg 

1370-1410 1360-1400 1350-1390 1350-1390 1320- 

1340 

3020-3110 3000-3085 2975-3065 2975-3065 2910- 

2955 

12.65- 

13.00 



12.55- 

12.90 

12.45- 

12.85 

12.45-12.85 12.20- 

12.35 

Lysine, % 1.07 0.88 0.79 0.72 0.78 

Methionine, % 0.45 0.40 0.36 0.34 0.37 


Threonine, % 0.70 0.58 0.53 0.49 0.55

Tryptophan, % 0.18 0.15 0.14 0.14 0.16 

Arginine, % 1.16 0.95 0.85 0.78 0.84 

Isoleucine, % 0.75 0.63 0.58 0.54 0.62 

Valine, % 0.77 0.65 0.62 0.58 0.66 


Lysine, % 1.17 0.96 0.86 0.79 0.85 

Methionine, % 0.48 0.43 0.39 0.36 0.39 


Threonine, % 0.82 0.68 0.62 0.58 0.64 

Tryptophan, % 0.22 0.18 0.17 0.16 0.19 

Arginine, % 1.24 1.02 0.92 0.84 0.91 

Isoleucine, % 0.81 0.68 0.63 0.58 0.67 

Valine, % 0.85 0.72 0.68 0.64 0.73 


% 20.0 18.0 16.0 15.5 17.5 

Calcium, 4 % 1.1 1.1 1.1 1.4 2.5 


Sodium (Na), % 0.18 0.18 0.18 0.18 0.18 

Chloride, % 0.18 0.18 0.18 0.18 0.18 


















www.hyline.com

Contents 







Health 



Vitamins 


—— 






—— 





Stock 





Parent Stock 







Hy-Line Brown Parent Stock laying period nutritional 









Table 1. Hy-Line Brown Parent Stock laying period nutritional 


Item 


84% egg 

production 

Approximate 

age, weeks 

Point-oflay 

to 32 


Metabolizable 


Metabolizable 


Metabolizable 

energy, MJ/kg 

1270- 

1320 

2800- 

2910 

11.70- 

12.20 



83-77% egg 

production 

Less than 77% 


33-44 45-55 56+ 

1260-1310 1250-1300 1235-1285 

2780-2890 2755-2865 2725-2835 

11.65-12.10 11.55-12.00 11.40-11.85 

Lysine, mg/day 845 820 785 750 

Methionine, 

mg/day 

423 402 369 345

Methionine + 


Threonine, 

mg/day 

Tryptophan, 

mg/day 

693 664 604 570 

592 574 550 525 

177 172 165 158 


Isoleucine, 

mg/day 

668 648 620 593 

Valine, mg/day 761 738 707 675 


Lysine, mg/day 925 898 859 821 

Methionine, 

mg/day 

Methionine + 


Threonine, 

mg/day 

Tryptophan, 

mg/day 

454 432 397 371 

781 749 682 643 

696 675 646 618 

212 206 197 188 


Isoleucine, 

mg/day 

718 697 667 637 

Valine, mg/day 839 814 779 744 


× 6.25), 3 g/day 18.00 17.75 17.00 16.00 

Calcium, 4 g/day 4.00 4.10 4.25 4.40 

Phosphorus 


mg/day 

Sodium (Na), 

mg/day 

450 400 380 340 

180 180 180 180 


Linoleic acid 

(C18:2 n-6), 

g/day 

2.50 2.00 1.50 1.30 

Choline, mg/day 100 100 100 100 




Differences in the metabolizable energy value assigned to feed ingredients of the same name can differ













MJ/kg 




Lysine, % 0.91 0.86 0.82 0.78 0.75 

Methionine, % 0.45 0.43 0.41 0.39 0.37 


Threonine, % 0.64 0.60 0.57 0.55 0.52 

Tryptophan, % 0.19 0.18 0.17 0.16 0.16 

Arginine, % 0.97 0.92 0.88 0.84 0.80 

Isoleucine, % 0.72 0.68 0.65 0.62 0.59 

Valine, % 0.82 0.78 0.74 0.70 0.67 


Lysine, % 0.99 0.94 0.90 0.86 0.82 

Methionine, % 0.49 0.46 0.44 0.42 0.40 


Threonine, % 0.75 0.71 0.68 0.64 0.62 

Tryptophan, % 0.23 0.22 0.21 0.20 0.19 

Arginine, % 1.05 0.99 0.94 0.90 0.86 

Isoleucine, % 0.77 0.73 0.70 0.66 0.64 

Valine, % 0.90 0.86 0.81 0.78 0.74 


Calcium, 4 % 4.30 4.08 3.88 3.70 3.54 


Sodium (Na), % 0.19 0.18 0.17 0.17 0.16

Chloride, % 0.19 0.18 0.17 0.17 0.16 



















MJ/kg 




Lysine, % 0.81 0.77 0.74 0.71 0.68 

Methionine, % 0.40 0.38 0.36 0.35 0.33 


Threonine, % 0.57 0.54 0.52 0.49 0.47 

Tryptophan, % 0.17 0.16 0.15 0.15 0.14 

Arginine, % 0.87 0.83 0.79 0.76 0.72 

Isoleucine, % 0.64 0.61 0.58 0.56 0.54 

Valine, % 0.73 0.70 0.66 0.64 0.61 


Lysine, % 0.89 0.85 0.81 0.77 0.74 

Methionine, % 0.43 0.41 0.39 0.37 0.36 


Threonine, % 0.67 0.64 0.61 0.58 0.56 

Tryptophan, % 0.20 0.19 0.19 0.18 0.17 

Arginine, % 0.93 0.89 0.85 0.81 0.78 

Isoleucine, % 0.69 0.66 0.63 0.60 0.58

Valine, % 0.81 0.77 0.73 0.70 0.67 


Calcium, 4 % 4.06 3.87 3.69 3.53 3.39 


Sodium (Na), % 0.18 0.17 0.16 0.16 0.15 

Chloride, % 0.18 0.17 0.16 0.16 0.15 



















MJ/kg 




Lysine, % 0.78 0.74 0.71 0.68 0.65 

Methionine, % 0.37 0.35 0.33 0.32 0.30 


Threonine, % 0.54 0.52 0.50 0.47 0.45 

Tryptophan, % 0.16 0.16 0.15 0.14 0.14 

Arginine, % 0.83 0.79 0.76 0.72 0.69 

Isoleucine, % 0.61 0.58 0.56 0.53 0.51 

Valine, % 0.70 0.67 0.64 0.61 0.58 


Lysine, % 0.85 0.81 0.77 0.74 0.71

Methionine, % 0.39 0.37 0.36 0.34 0.33 


Threonine, % 0.64 0.61 0.58 0.56 0.53 

Tryptophan, % 0.20 0.19 0.18 0.17 0.16 

Arginine, % 0.89 0.85 0.81 0.78 0.75 

Isoleucine, % 0.66 0.63 0.60 0.58 0.55 

Valine, % 0.77 0.73 0.70 0.67 0.64 


Calcium, 4 % 4.21 4.01 3.83 3.66 3.51 


Sodium (Na), % 0.18 0.17 0.16 0.16 0.15 

Chloride, % 0.18 0.17 0.16 0.16 0.15 



















MJ/kg 




Lysine, % 0.74 0.70 0.67 0.64 0.61 

Methionine, % 0.34 0.32 0.31 0.29 0.28 


Threonine, % 0.51 0.49 0.47 0.45 0.43 

Tryptophan, % 0.15 0.15 0.14 0.14 0.13

Arginine, % 0.79 0.75 0.72 0.69 0.66 

Isoleucine, % 0.58 0.55 0.53 0.51 0.49 

Valine, % 0.66 0.63 0.60 0.58 0.55 


Lysine, % 0.80 0.77 0.73 0.70 0.67 

Methionine, % 0.36 0.35 0.33 0.32 0.30 


Threonine, % 0.61 0.58 0.55 0.53 0.51 

Tryptophan, % 0.18 0.18 0.17 0.16 0.15 

Arginine, % 0.85 0.81 0.77 0.74 0.71 

Isoleucine, % 0.62 0.60 0.57 0.54 0.52 

Valine, % 0.73 0.70 0.66 0.64 0.61 


Calcium, 4 % 4.31 4.11 3.93 3.76 3.61 


Sodium (Na), % 0.18 0.17 0.16 0.15 0.15 

Chloride, % 0.18 0.17 0.16 0.15 0.15 



















www.hyline.com

Contents 







Health 



Vitamins 


—— 






—— 





Stock 





Parent Stock 












For the Hy-Line Brown Parent Stock, the following suggested diet program is used with 























age. 



















feed intake of the Hy-Line Brown Parent Stock does not change much after this time, so 





Diet matrix 













Suggested diet matrix for Hy-Line Brown Parent Stock. 1,2 The matrix is 




accordingly. 

Age 






















g/day again.



Performance Summary of the Hy-Line Brown Parent 

































Target Weights of Hy-Line Brown Parent Pullets 




Body Weight 



1 65 0.14 70 0.15 

2 115 0.25 140 0.31 

3 175 0.39 200 0.44 

4 255 0.56 330 0.73 

5 340 0.75 450 0.99 

6 440 0.97 590 1.30 

7 540 1.19 730 1.61 

8 640 1.41 900 1.98 

9 735 1.62 1060 2.34 

10 820 1.81 1220 2.69 

11 910 2.01 1370 3.02 

12 990 2.18 1530 3.37 

13 1085 2.39 1690 3.73 

14 1160 2.56 1830 4.03 

15 1230 2.71 1960 4.32 

16 1300 2.87 2060 4.54 

17 1360 3.00 2140 4.72 

18 1440 3.17 2200 4.85 







Age 

in 

Weeks 

Age 

in 

Weeks 

g/day 

per 

bird 

g/day 

per 

bird 


Growing Period Feed Consumption—Brown Parent 

lb/day 

per 

100 birds 

Laying Period Feed Consumption—Brown Parent 

lb/day 

per 

100 birds 




g/day lb/day 

Cumulative 

in 

per 

per 

kg lb Weeks 


1 13 2.9 0.09 0.2 10 56 12.3 2.46 5.4 

2 20 4.4 0.23 0.5 11 61 13.4 2.88 6.4 

3 25 5.5 0.41 0.9 12 66 14.6 3.35 7.4 

4 29 6.4 0.61 1.3 13 70 15.4 3.84 8.5 

5 33 7.3 0.84 1.9 14 73 16.1 4.35 9.6 

6 37 8.2 1.10 2.4 15 75 16.5 4.87 10.7 

7 41 9.0 1.39 3.1 16 77 17.0 5.41 11.9 

8 46 10.1 1.71 3.8 17 80 17.6 5.97 13.2 

9 51 11.2 2.07 4.6 18 83 18.3 6.55 14.4 


g/day lb/day 

Cumulative 

in 

per 

per 

kg lb Weeks 


19 86 19.0 0.60 1.3 43 111 24.5 18.43 40.6 

20 89 19.6 1.23 2.7 44 111 24.5 19.21 42.4 

21 92 20.3 1.87 4.1 45 111 24.5 19.99 44.1 

22 95 20.9 2.53 5.6 46 111 24.5 20.76 45.8 

23 98 21.6 3.22 7.1 47 111 24.5 21.54 47.5 

24 100 22.0 3.92 8.6 48 111 24.5 22.32 49.2 

25 103 22.7 4.64 10.2 49 111 24.5 23.09 50.9 

26 105 23.1 5.38 11.9 50 111 24.5 23.87 52.6 

27 106 23.4 6.12 13.5 51 112 24.7 24.65 54.4 

28 108 23.8 6.87 15.2 52 112 24.7 25.44 56.1 

29 108 23.8 7.63 16.8 53 112 24.7 26.22 57.8 

30 108 23.8 8.39 18.5 54 112 24.7 27.01 59.5 

31 109 24.0 9.15 20.2 55 112 24.7 27.79 61.3 

32 109 24.0 9.91 21.9 56 112 24.7 28.57 63.0 

33 110 24.3 10.68 23.6 57 112 24.7 29.36 64.7 

34 110 24.3 11.45 25.3 58 112 24.7 30.14 66.5 

35 110 24.3 12.22 26.9 59 112 24.7 30.93 68.2 

36 110 24.3 12.99 28.6 60 112 24.7 31.71 69.9 

37 111 24.5 13.77 30.4 61 112 24.7 32.49 71.6 

38 111 24.5 14.55 32.1 62 112 24.7 33.28 73.4 

39 111 24.5 15.32 33.8 63 112 24.7 34.06 75.1 

40 111 24.5 16.10 35.5 64 112 24.7 34.85 76.8 

41 111 24.5 16.88 37.2 65 112 24.7 35.63 78.6 

42 111 24.5 17.65 38.9 








Water Consumption for Hy-Line Brown Parent Pullets and Layers 




1 

2 

3 

4 

5 

6 

7 

8 

9 

10–15 

16–20 

21–25* 

Over 25* 


0.8–1.1 0.20–0.30 

1.1–1.9 0.30–0.50 

1.7–2.7 0.45–0.70 

2.5–3.8 0.65–1.00 

3.4–4.7 0.90–1.25 

4.5–5.7 1.20–1.50 

5.7–6.8 1.50–1.80 

6.1–8.0 1.60–2.10 

6.4–9.5 1.70–2.50 

6.8–10.2 1.80–2.70 

7.2–15.2 1.90–4.00 

9.9–18.2 2.60–4.80 

15.2–20.8 4.00–5.50 







Age 

in Weeks 

% 

Hen-Day 

Female % 

Mortality 

Male % 

Mortality 


Hy-Line Brown Parent Performance Projection 

Number 

Hen-Day Eggs 

Number 


Female 

Body Weight 

Average 

Egg Weight* 


doz. case 

% 

Settable 





% 

Hatch 

Number 

Female Chicks 


19 11 0.1 0.3 0.8 0.8 0.8 0.8 1.53 3.37 – – – – – – – – 

20 26 0.2 0.5 1.8 2.6 1.8 2.6 1.60 3.53 – – – – – – – – 

21 47 0.4 0.8 3.3 5.9 3.3 5.9 1.65 3.64 47.9 38.0 – – – – – – 

22 71 0.5 1.1 5.0 10.9 4.9 10.8 1.70 3.75 50.5 40.1 – – – – – – 

23 80 0.6 1.5 5.6 16.5 5.6 16.4 1.72 3.79 52.1 41.3 – – – – – – 

24 87 0.7 1.8 6.1 22.5 6.1 22.4 1.75 3.86 54.4 43.2 – – – – – – 

25 90 0.8 2.2 6.3 28.8 6.3 28.7 1.75 3.86 55.4 44.0 85 5.3 5.3 75 2.0 2.0 

26 91 0.9 2.5 6.4 35.2 6.3 35.0 1.78 3.92 56.2 44.6 92 5.8 11.1 77 2.2 4.2 

27 91 1.0 2.8 6.4 41.6 6.3 41.3 1.79 3.95 57.0 45.2 94 5.9 17.1 78 2.3 6.5 

28 92 1.1 3.1 6.4 48.0 6.4 47.7 1.80 3.97 57.4 45.6 95 6.1 23.1 80 2.4 9.0 

29 92 1.2 3.4 6.4 54.5 6.4 54.0 1.81 3.99 58.2 46.2 96 6.1 29.2 80 2.4 11.4 

30 92 1.3 3.6 6.4 60.9 6.4 60.4 1.82 4.01 58.4 46.3 96 6.1 35.3 82 2.5 13.9 

31 91 1.5 3.9 6.4 67.3 6.3 66.7 1.84 4.06 58.9 46.7 96 6.0 41.3 82 2.5 16.4 

32 91 1.6 4.1 6.4 73.6 6.3 72.9 1.85 4.08 59.4 47.1 96 6.0 47.4 82 2.5 18.8 

33 90 1.8 4.4 6.3 79.9 6.2 79.1 1.85 4.08 59.5 47.2 96 5.9 53.3 82 2.5 21.3 

34 90 1.9 4.6 6.3 86.2 6.2 85.3 1.86 4.10 59.8 47.5 96 5.9 59.2 83 2.5 23.8 

35 90 2.1 4.8 6.3 92.5 6.2 91.5 1.86 4.10 59.9 47.5 96 5.9 65.2 83 2.5 26.3 

36 90 2.2 5.0 6.3 98.8 6.2 97.6 1.86 4.10 60.3 47.9 97 5.9 71.1 83 2.5 28.7 

37 89 2.4 5.2 6.2 105.1 6.1 103.7 1.87 4.12 60.3 47.9 97 5.9 77.0 83 2.4 31.2 

38 89 2.6 5.4 6.2 111.3 6.1 109.8 1.87 4.12 60.8 48.3 97 5.9 82.9 83 2.4 33.6 

39 88 2.8 5.6 6.2 117.5 6.0 115.8 1.87 4.12 61.0 48.4 96 5.8 88.6 83 2.4 36.0 

40 87 2.9 5.8 6.1 123.6 5.9 121.7 1.87 4.12 61.1 48.5 96 5.7 94.3 83 2.4 38.4 

41 86 3.1 6.0 6.0 129.6 5.8 127.5 1.87 4.12 61.2 48.6 96 5.6 99.9 83 2.3 40.7 

42 86 3.3 6.2 6.0 135.6 5.8 133.3 1.87 4.12 61.4 48.7 96 5.6 105.5 82 2.3 43.0 

43 85 3.5 6.3 6.0 141.5 5.7 139.1 1.87 4.12 61.6 48.9 96 5.5 111.0 82 2.3 45.2 

44 84 3.7 6.5 5.9 147.4 5.7 144.7 1.87 4.12 61.8 49.0 96 5.4 116.5 82 2.2 47.5 

45 84 3.9 6.7 5.9 153.3 5.6 150.4 1.87 4.12 61.9 49.1 95 5.4 121.8 81 2.2 49.6 

46 82 4.1 6.9 5.7 159.0 5.5 155.9 1.87 4.12 62.0 49.2 95 5.2 127.0 81 2.1 51.8 

47 82 4.3 7.1 5.7 164.8 5.5 161.4 1.87 4.12 62.1 49.3 95 5.2 132.3 80 2.1 53.8 

48 81 4.5 7.3 5.7 170.5 5.4 166.8 1.87 4.12 62.2 49.4 95 5.1 137.4 80 2.1 55.9 

49 80 4.8 7.4 5.6 176.1 5.3 172.1 1.87 4.12 62.4 49.5 95 5.1 142.5 79 2.0 57.9 

50 80 5.0 7.6 5.6 181.7 5.3 177.5 1.87 4.12 62.4 49.5 95 5.1 147.5 79 2.0 59.9 

51 79 5.2 7.8 5.5 187.2 5.2 182.7 1.88 4.15 62.6 49.7 95 5.0 152.5 79 2.0 61.9 

52 79 5.5 8.0 5.5 192.7 5.2 187.9 1.88 4.15 62.8 49.8 95 5.0 157.5 78 1.9 63.8 

53 78 5.7 8.2 5.5 198.2 5.1 193.1 1.88 4.15 62.9 49.9 94 4.8 162.3 78 1.9 65.7 

54 78 5.9 8.3 5.5 203.6 5.1 198.2 1.88 4.15 63.0 50.0 94 4.8 167.1 78 1.9 67.6 

55 77 6.2 8.5 5.4 209.0 5.1 203.3 1.88 4.15 63.0 50.0 94 4.8 171.9 78 1.9 69.4 

56 76 6.4 8.7 5.3 214.3 5.0 208.3 1.88 4.15 63.1 50.1 94 4.7 176.6 76 1.8 71.2 

57 75 6.7 8.8 5.3 219.6 4.9 213.2 1.88 4.15 63.1 50.1 94 4.6 181.2 76 1.8 73.0 

58 74 6.9 9.0 5.2 224.8 4.8 218.0 1.88 4.15 63.3 50.2 93 4.5 185.7 75 1.7 74.6 

59 72 7.2 9.2 5.0 229.8 4.7 222.7 1.88 4.15 63.3 50.2 93 4.4 190.0 75 1.6 76.3 

60 71 7.4 9.3 5.0 234.8 4.6 227.3 1.88 4.15 63.4 50.3 92 4.2 194.2 74 1.6 77.8 

61 70 7.7 9.5 4.9 239.7 4.5 231.8 1.88 4.15 63.5 50.4 92 4.2 198.4 74 1.5 79.4 

62 70 7.9 9.6 4.9 244.6 4.5 236.3 1.88 4.15 63.5 50.4 92 4.2 202.6 73 1.5 80.9 

63 69 8.2 9.8 4.8 249.4 4.4 240.7 1.88 4.15 63.6 50.5 91 4.0 206.6 73 1.5 82.4 

64 68 8.4 9.9 4.8 254.2 4.4 245.1 1.88 4.15 63.8 50.6 91 4.0 210.6 73 1.4 83.8 

65 67 8.7 10.1 4.7 258.9 4.3 249.4 1.88 4.15 63.8 50.6 91 3.9 214.5 72 1.4 85.2 















Growing Period Nutritional Recommendations—Brown Parent 











Lysine, % 1.07 0.88 0.79 0.72 0.78 

Methionine, % 0.45 0.40 0.36 0.34 0.37 


Threonine, % 0.70 0.58 0.53 0.49 0.55 

Tryptophan, % 0.18 0.15 0.14 0.14 0.16 

Arginine, % 1.16 0.95 0.85 0.78 0.84 

Isoleucine, % 0.75 0.63 0.58 0.54 0.62 

Valine, % 0.77 0.65 0.62 0.58 0.66 


Lysine, % 1.17 0.96 0.86 0.79 0.85 

Methionine, % 0.48 0.43 0.39 0.36 0.39 


Threonine, % 0.82 0.68 0.62 0.58 0.64 

Tryptophan, % 0.22 0.18 0.17 0.16 0.19 

Arginine, % 1.24 1.02 0.92 0.84 0.91 

Isoleucine, % 0.81 0.68 0.63 0.58 0.67 

Valine, % 0.85 0.72 0.68 0.64 0.73 


Calcium, 4 % 1.10 1.10 1.10 1.40 2.50 


Sodium, % 0.18 0.18 0.18 0.18 0.18 

Chloride, % 0.18 0.18 0.18 0.18 0.18 



















83 to 77% 


Less than 77% 








Lysine, mg/day 845 820 785 750 







Valine, mg/day 761 738 707 675 


Laying Period Nutritional Recommendations—Brown Parent 


Lysine, mg/day 925 898 859 821 







Valine, mg/day 839 814 779 744 


Calcium, 4 g/day 4.00 4.10 4.25 4.40 


Sodium, mg/day 180 180 180 180 



Choline, mg/day 100 100 100 100 


















83 to 77% 


Less than 77% 







g/day per hen 93 98 103* 108 113 101 106 111* 116 121 101 106 111* 116 121 102 107 112* 117 122 

lb/day per 100 hens 20.5 21.6 22.7* 23.8 24.9 22.3 23.4 24.5* 25.6 26.7 22.3 23.4 24.5* 25.6 26.7 22.5 23.6 24.7* 25.8 26.9 


Lysine, % 0.91 0.86 0.82 0.78 0.75 0.81 0.77 0.74 0.71 0.68 0.78 0.74 0.71 0.68 0.65 0.74 0.70 0.67 0.64 0.61 

Methionine, % 0.45 0.43 0.41 0.39 0.37 0.40 0.38 0.36 0.35 0.33 0.37 0.35 0.33 0.32 0.30 0.34 0.32 0.31 0.29 0.28 


Threonine, % 0.64 0.60 0.57 0.55 0.52 0.57 0.54 0.52 0.49 0.47 0.54 0.52 0.50 0.47 0.45 0.51 0.49 0.47 0.45 0.43 

Tryptophan, % 0.19 0.18 0.17 0.16 0.16 0.17 0.16 0.15 0.15 0.14 0.16 0.16 0.15 0.14 0.14 0.15 0.15 0.14 0.14 0.13 

Arginine, % 0.97 0.92 0.88 0.84 0.80 0.87 0.83 0.79 0.76 0.72 0.83 0.79 0.76 0.72 0.69 0.79 0.75 0.72 0.69 0.66 

Isoleucine, % 0.72 0.68 0.65 0.62 0.59 0.64 0.61 0.58 0.56 0.54 0.61 0.58 0.56 0.53 0.51 0.58 0.55 0.53 0.51 0.49 

Valine, % 0.82 0.78 0.74 0.70 0.67 0.73 0.70 0.66 0.64 0.61 0.70 0.67 0.64 0.61 0.58 0.66 0.63 0.60 0.58 0.55 


Laying Period Nutritional Recommendations—Brown Parent 

Lysine, % 0.99 0.94 0.90 0.86 0.82 0.89 0.85 0.81 0.77 0.74 0.85 0.81 0.77 0.74 0.71 0.80 0.77 0.73 0.70 0.67 

Methionine, % 0.49 0.46 0.44 0.42 0.40 0.43 0.41 0.39 0.37 0.36 0.39 0.37 0.36 0.34 0.33 0.36 0.35 0.33 0.32 0.30 


Threonine, % 0.75 0.71 0.68 0.64 0.62 0.67 0.64 0.61 0.58 0.56 0.64 0.61 0.58 0.56 0.53 0.61 0.58 0.55 0.53 0.51 

Tryptophan, % 0.23 0.22 0.21 0.20 0.19 0.20 0.19 0.19 0.18 0.17 0.20 0.19 0.18 0.17 0.16 0.18 0.18 0.17 0.16 0.15 

Arginine, % 1.05 0.99 0.94 0.90 0.86 0.93 0.89 0.85 0.81 0.78 0.89 0.85 0.81 0.78 0.75 0.85 0.81 0.77 0.74 0.71 

Isoleucine, % 0.77 0.73 0.70 0.66 0.64 0.69 0.66 0.63 0.60 0.58 0.66 0.63 0.60 0.58 0.55 0.62 0.60 0.57 0.54 0.52 

Valine, % 0.90 0.86 0.81 0.78 0.74 0.81 0.77 0.73 0.70 0.67 0.77 0.73 0.70 0.67 0.64 0.73 0.70 0.66 0.64 0.61 

Crude protein 

(nitrogen × 6.25), 3 % 

19.35 18.37 17.48 16.67 15.93 17.57 16.75 15.99 15.30 14.67 16.83 16.04 15.32 14.66 14.05 15.69 14.95 14.29 13.68 13.11 

Calcium, 4 % 4.30 4.08 3.88 3.70 3.54 4.06 3.87 3.69 3.53 3.39 4.21 4.01 3.83 3.66 3.51 4.31 4.11 3.93 3.76 3.61 


Sodium, % 0.19 0.18 0.17 0.17 0.16 0.18 0.17 0.16 0.16 0.15 0.18 0.17 0.16 0.16 0.15 0.18 0.17 0.16 0.15 0.15 

Chloride, % 0.19 0.18 0.17 0.17 0.16 0.18 0.17 0.16 0.16 0.15 0.18 0.17 0.16 0.16 0.15 0.18 0.17 0.16 0.15 0.15 


















Contents 







Health 



Vitamins 


—— 






—— 





Stock 












Hy-Line Silver Brown Parent Stock growing period nutritional 






Hy-Line Silver Brown Parent Stock growing period nutritional 


Item 1 


grams 

Starter 

1 

Starter 

2 


Prelay 

6 

165 420 1070 1420 1560 




kcal/lb 


kcal/kg 


MJ/kg 

1370-1410 1360-1400 1350-1390 1350-1390 1320- 

1340 

3020-3110 3000-3085 2975-3065 2975-3065 2910- 

2955 

12.65- 

13.00 



12.55- 

12.90 

12.45- 

12.85 

12.45-12.85 12.20- 

12.35 

Lysine, % 1.07 0.88 0.79 0.72 0.78 

Methionine, % 0.45 0.40 0.36 0.34 0.37 


Threonine, % 0.70 0.58 0.53 0.49 0.55

Tryptophan, % 0.18 0.15 0.14 0.14 0.16 

Arginine, % 1.16 0.95 0.85 0.78 0.84 

Isoleucine, % 0.75 0.63 0.58 0.54 0.62 

Valine, % 0.77 0.65 0.62 0.58 0.66 


Lysine, % 1.17 0.96 0.86 0.79 0.85 

Methionine, % 0.48 0.43 0.39 0.36 0.39 


Threonine, % 0.82 0.68 0.62 0.58 0.64 

Tryptophan, % 0.22 0.18 0.17 0.16 0.19 

Arginine, % 1.24 1.02 0.92 0.84 0.91 

Isoleucine, % 0.81 0.68 0.63 0.58 0.67 

Valine, % 0.85 0.72 0.68 0.64 0.73 


% 20.0 18.0 16.0 15.5 17.5 

Calcium, 4 % 1.1 1.1 1.1 1.4 2.5 


Sodium (Na), % 0.18 0.18 0.18 0.18 0.18 

Chloride, % 0.18 0.18 0.18 0.18 0.18 


















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Contents 







Health 



Vitamins 


—— 






—— 





Stock 












Hy-Line Silver Brown Parent Stock laying period nutritional 









Table 1. Hy-Line Silver Brown Parent Stock laying period nutritional 


Item 


88% egg 

production 

Approximate 

age, weeks 

Point-oflay 

to 32 


Metabolizable 


Metabolizable 


Metabolizable 

energy, MJ/kg 

1270- 

1320 

2800- 

2910 

11.70- 

12.20 



87-84% egg 

production 

Less than 84% 


33-44 45-55 56+ 

1260-1310 1250-1300 1235-1285 

2780-2890 2755-2865 2725-2835 

11.65-12.10 11.55-12.00 11.40-11.85 

Lysine, mg/day 845 820 785 750 

Methionine, 

mg/day 

423 402 369 345

Methionine + 


Threonine, 

mg/day 

Tryptophan, 

mg/day 

693 664 604 570 

592 574 550 525 

177 172 165 158 


Isoleucine, 

mg/day 

668 648 620 593 

Valine, mg/day 761 738 707 675 


Lysine, mg/day 925 898 859 821 

Methionine, 

mg/day 

Methionine + 


Threonine, 

mg/day 

Tryptophan, 

mg/day 

454 432 397 371 

781 749 682 643 

696 675 646 618 

212 206 197 188 


Isoleucine, 

mg/day 

718 697 667 637 

Valine, mg/day 839 814 779 744 


× 6.25), 3 g/day 18.00 17.75 17.00 16.00 

Calcium, 4 g/day 4.00 4.10 4.25 4.40 

Phosphorus 


mg/day 

Sodium (Na), 

mg/day 

450 400 380 340 

180 180 180 180 


Linoleic acid 

(C18:2 n-6), 

g/day 

2.50 2.00 1.50 1.30 

Choline, mg/day 100 100 100 100 




Differences in the metabolizable energy value assigned to feed ingredients of the same name can differ













MJ/kg 




Lysine, % 0.91 0.86 0.82 0.78 0.75 

Methionine, % 0.45 0.43 0.41 0.39 0.37 


Threonine, % 0.64 0.60 0.57 0.55 0.52 

Tryptophan, % 0.19 0.18 0.17 0.16 0.16 

Arginine, % 0.97 0.92 0.88 0.84 0.80 

Isoleucine, % 0.72 0.68 0.65 0.62 0.59 

Valine, % 0.82 0.78 0.74 0.70 0.67 


Lysine, % 0.99 0.94 0.90 0.86 0.82 

Methionine, % 0.49 0.46 0.44 0.42 0.40 


Threonine, % 0.75 0.71 0.68 0.64 0.62 

Tryptophan, % 0.23 0.22 0.21 0.20 0.19 

Arginine, % 1.05 0.99 0.94 0.90 0.86 

Isoleucine, % 0.77 0.73 0.70 0.66 0.64 

Valine, % 0.90 0.86 0.81 0.78 0.74 


Calcium, 4 % 4.30 4.08 3.88 3.70 3.54 


Sodium (Na), % 0.19 0.18 0.17 0.17 0.16

Chloride, % 0.19 0.18 0.17 0.17 0.16 



















MJ/kg 




Lysine, % 0.81 0.77 0.74 0.71 0.68 

Methionine, % 0.40 0.38 0.36 0.35 0.33 


Threonine, % 0.57 0.54 0.52 0.49 0.47 

Tryptophan, % 0.17 0.16 0.15 0.15 0.14 

Arginine, % 0.87 0.83 0.79 0.76 0.72 

Isoleucine, % 0.64 0.61 0.58 0.56 0.54 

Valine, % 0.73 0.70 0.66 0.64 0.61 


Lysine, % 0.89 0.85 0.81 0.77 0.74 

Methionine, % 0.43 0.41 0.39 0.37 0.36 


Threonine, % 0.67 0.64 0.61 0.58 0.56 

Tryptophan, % 0.20 0.19 0.19 0.18 0.17 

Arginine, % 0.93 0.89 0.85 0.81 0.78 

Isoleucine, % 0.69 0.66 0.63 0.60 0.58

Valine, % 0.81 0.77 0.73 0.70 0.67 


Calcium, 4 % 4.06 3.87 3.69 3.53 3.39 


Sodium (Na), % 0.18 0.17 0.16 0.16 0.15 

Chloride, % 0.18 0.17 0.16 0.16 0.15 



















MJ/kg 




Lysine, % 0.78 0.74 0.71 0.68 0.65 

Methionine, % 0.37 0.35 0.33 0.32 0.30 


Threonine, % 0.54 0.52 0.50 0.47 0.45 

Tryptophan, % 0.16 0.16 0.15 0.14 0.14 

Arginine, % 0.83 0.79 0.76 0.72 0.69 

Isoleucine, % 0.61 0.58 0.56 0.53 0.51 

Valine, % 0.70 0.67 0.64 0.61 0.58 


Lysine, % 0.85 0.81 0.77 0.74 0.71

Methionine, % 0.39 0.37 0.36 0.34 0.33 


Threonine, % 0.64 0.61 0.58 0.56 0.53 

Tryptophan, % 0.20 0.19 0.18 0.17 0.16 

Arginine, % 0.89 0.85 0.81 0.78 0.75 

Isoleucine, % 0.66 0.63 0.60 0.58 0.55 

Valine, % 0.77 0.73 0.70 0.67 0.64 


Calcium, 4 % 4.21 4.01 3.83 3.66 3.51 


Sodium (Na), % 0.18 0.17 0.16 0.16 0.15 

Chloride, % 0.18 0.17 0.16 0.16 0.15 



















MJ/kg 




Lysine, % 0.74 0.70 0.67 0.64 0.61 

Methionine, % 0.34 0.32 0.31 0.29 0.28 


Threonine, % 0.51 0.49 0.47 0.45 0.43 

Tryptophan, % 0.15 0.15 0.14 0.14 0.13

Arginine, % 0.79 0.75 0.72 0.69 0.66 

Isoleucine, % 0.58 0.55 0.53 0.51 0.49 

Valine, % 0.66 0.63 0.60 0.58 0.55 


Lysine, % 0.80 0.77 0.73 0.70 0.67 

Methionine, % 0.36 0.35 0.33 0.32 0.30 


Threonine, % 0.61 0.58 0.55 0.53 0.51 

Tryptophan, % 0.18 0.18 0.17 0.16 0.15 

Arginine, % 0.85 0.81 0.77 0.74 0.71 

Isoleucine, % 0.62 0.60 0.57 0.54 0.52 

Valine, % 0.73 0.70 0.66 0.64 0.61 


Calcium, 4 % 4.31 4.11 3.93 3.76 3.61 


Sodium (Na), % 0.18 0.17 0.16 0.15 0.15 

Chloride, % 0.18 0.17 0.16 0.15 0.15 



















www.hyline.com

Contents 







Health 



Vitamins 


—— 






—— 





Stock 

















For the Hy-Line Silver Brown Parent Stock, the following suggested diet program is used 

with success worldwide and follows the principle of feeding for the observed feed intake 

and desired production. Feeding according to this or a similar program ensures a high 

peak egg production, an excellent persistence of lay, and many settable eggs. Note that 




















age. 



















feed intake of the Hy-Line Silver Brown Parent Stock does not change much after this 

time, so subsequent diet changes are governed mainly by controlling egg weight, 

maintaining eggshell quality, and reducing diet cost (the latter as the hens' energy and

nutrient needs decrease). That said, these diets should be reformulated to avoid underor 

over-feeding the hens if the feed intake changes. 

Diet matrix 













Suggested diet matrix for Hy-Line Brown Parent Stock. 1,2 The matrix is 




accordingly. 

Age 






















g/day again.



Hy-Line Silver Brown Parent Stock 

Growing Period Nutritional Recommendations—Silver Brown Parent 









Lysine, % 1.07 0.88 0.79 0.72 0.78 

Methionine, % 0.45 0.40 0.36 0.34 0.37 


Threonine, % 0.70 0.58 0.53 0.49 0.55 

Tryptophan, % 0.18 0.15 0.14 0.14 0.16 

Arginine, % 1.16 0.95 0.85 0.78 0.84 

Isoleucine, % 0.75 0.63 0.58 0.54 0.62 

Valine, % 0.77 0.65 0.62 0.58 0.66 



Lysine, % 1.17 0.96 0.86 0.79 0.85 

Methionine, % 0.48 0.43 0.39 0.36 0.39 


Threonine, % 0.82 0.68 0.62 0.58 0.64 

Tryptophan, % 0.22 0.18 0.17 0.16 0.19 

Arginine, % 1.24 1.02 0.92 0.84 0.91 

Isoleucine, % 0.81 0.68 0.63 0.58 0.67 

Valine, % 0.85 0.72 0.68 0.64 0.73 


Calcium, 4 % 1.10 1.10 1.10 1.40 2.50 


Sodium, % 0.18 0.18 0.18 0.18 0.18 

Chloride, % 0.18 0.18 0.18 0.18 0.18 
















Performance Summary of the Hy-Line Silver Brown Parent 
































Target Weights of Hy-Line Silver Brown Parent Pullets 




Body Weight 



1 60 0.13 70 0.15 

2 120 0.26 140 0.31 

3 165 0.36 200 0.44 

4 270 0.60 280 0.62 

5 330 0.73 400 0.88 

6 420 0.93 510 1.12 

7 550 1.21 640 1.41 

8 660 1.46 790 1.74 

9 770 1.70 940 2.07 

10 870 1.92 1120 2.47 

11 1010 2.23 1260 2.78 

12 1070 2.36 1400 3.09 

13 1200 2.65 1540 3.40 

14 1270 2.80 1670 3.68 

15 1340 2.95 1810 3.99 

16 1380 3.04 1910 4.21 

17 1420 3.13 2010 4.43 

18 1460 3.22 2130 4.70 







Age 

in 

Weeks 

Age 

in 

Weeks 

g/day 

per 

bird 

g/day 

per 

bird 



Growing Period Feed Consumption—Silver Brown Parent 

lb/day 

per 

100 birds 

Laying Period Feed Consumption—Silver Brown Parent 

lb/day 

per 

100 birds 



g/day lb/day 

Cumulative 

in 

per 

per 

kg lb Weeks 


1 13 2.9 0.09 0.2 10 56 12.3 2.46 5.4 

2 20 4.4 0.23 0.5 11 61 13.4 2.88 6.4 

3 25 5.5 0.41 0.9 12 66 14.6 3.35 7.4 

4 29 6.4 0.61 1.3 13 70 15.4 3.84 8.5 

5 33 7.3 0.84 1.9 14 73 16.1 4.35 9.6 

6 37 8.2 1.10 2.4 15 75 16.5 4.87 10.7 

7 41 9.0 1.39 3.1 16 77 17.0 5.41 11.9 

8 46 10.1 1.71 3.8 17 80 17.6 5.97 13.2 

9 51 11.2 2.07 4.6 18 83 18.3 6.55 14.4 


g/day lb/day 

Cumulative 

in 

per 

per 

kg lb Weeks 


19 86 19.0 0.60 1.3 43 111 24.5 18.43 40.6 

20 89 19.6 1.23 2.7 44 111 24.5 19.21 42.4 

21 92 20.3 1.87 4.1 45 111 24.5 19.99 44.1 

22 95 20.9 2.53 5.6 46 111 24.5 20.76 45.8 

23 98 21.6 3.22 7.1 47 111 24.5 21.54 47.5 

24 100 22.0 3.92 8.6 48 111 24.5 22.32 49.2 

25 103 22.7 4.64 10.2 49 111 24.5 23.09 50.9 

26 105 23.1 5.38 11.9 50 111 24.5 23.87 52.6 

27 106 23.4 6.12 13.5 51 112 24.7 24.65 54.4 

28 108 23.8 6.87 15.2 52 112 24.7 25.44 56.1 

29 108 23.8 7.63 16.8 53 112 24.7 26.22 57.8 

30 108 23.8 8.39 18.5 54 112 24.7 27.01 59.5 

31 109 24.0 9.15 20.2 55 112 24.7 27.79 61.3 

32 109 24.0 9.91 21.9 56 112 24.7 28.57 63.0 

33 110 24.3 10.68 23.6 57 112 24.7 29.36 64.7 

34 110 24.3 11.45 25.3 58 112 24.7 30.14 66.5 

35 110 24.3 12.22 26.9 59 112 24.7 30.93 68.2 

36 110 24.3 12.99 28.6 60 112 24.7 31.71 69.9 

37 111 24.5 13.77 30.4 61 112 24.7 32.49 71.6 

38 111 24.5 14.55 32.1 62 112 24.7 33.28 73.4 

39 111 24.5 15.32 33.8 63 112 24.7 34.06 75.1 

40 111 24.5 16.10 35.5 64 112 24.7 34.85 76.8 

41 111 24.5 16.88 37.2 65 112 24.7 35.63 78.6 

42 111 24.5 17.65 38.9 






Age 

in Weeks 

% 

Hen-Day 

Female % 

Mortality 

Male % 

Mortality 


Hy-Line Silver Brown Parent Performance Projection 

Number 

Hen-Day Eggs 

Number 


Female 

Body Weight 

Average 

Egg Weight* 


doz. case 


% 

Settable 




% 

Hatch 

Number 

Female Chicks 


19 15 0.1 0.2 1.1 1.1 1.0 1.0 1.56 3.44 – – – – – – – – 

20 30 0.2 0.6 2.1 3.2 2.1 3.1 1.62 3.57 – – – – – – – – 

21 49 0.3 0.8 3.4 6.6 3.4 6.6 1.68 3.70 47.1 37.4 – – – – – – 

22 68 0.5 1.0 4.8 11.3 4.7 11.3 1.72 3.79 49.0 38.9 – – – – – – 

23 79 0.6 1.3 5.5 16.9 5.5 16.8 1.75 3.86 52.3 41.5 – – – – – – 

24 83 0.7 1.5 5.8 22.7 5.8 22.6 1.79 3.95 55.2 43.8 – – – – – – 

25 85 0.9 1.7 6.0 28.6 5.9 28.5 1.81 3.99 56.6 45.0 87 5.1 5.1 70 1.8 1.8 

26 88 1.0 1.9 6.2 34.8 6.1 34.6 1.85 4.08 58.5 46.4 88 5.4 10.5 70 1.9 3.7 

27 88 1.2 2.1 6.2 41.0 6.1 40.7 1.86 4.10 59.5 47.2 89 5.4 15.9 71 1.9 5.6 

28 89 1.3 2.4 6.2 47.2 6.1 46.8 1.90 4.19 60.3 47.9 90 5.5 21.4 71 2.0 7.6 

29 90 1.5 2.7 6.3 53.5 6.2 53.0 1.91 4.21 60.8 48.3 90 5.6 27.0 72 2.0 9.6 

30 91 1.6 3.0 6.4 59.9 6.3 59.3 1.91 4.21 61.0 48.4 91 5.7 32.7 73 2.1 11.7 

31 91 1.8 3.3 6.4 66.2 6.3 65.5 1.91 4.21 61.3 48.7 91 5.7 38.4 74 2.1 13.8 

32 91 2.0 3.6 6.4 72.6 6.2 71.8 1.92 4.23 61.6 48.9 92 5.7 44.2 74 2.1 15.9 

33 91 2.1 3.9 6.4 79.0 6.2 78.0 1.92 4.23 61.8 49.0 92 5.7 49.9 75 2.1 18.0 

34 91 2.3 4.2 6.4 85.3 6.2 84.2 1.92 4.23 62.3 49.4 92 5.7 55.6 75 2.1 20.1 

35 91 2.5 4.5 6.4 91.7 6.2 90.4 1.93 4.26 62.5 49.6 92 5.7 61.4 75 2.1 22.3 

36 91 2.6 4.8 6.4 98.1 6.2 96.6 1.93 4.26 62.8 49.8 93 5.8 67.1 76 2.2 24.5 

37 91 2.8 5.2 6.4 104.4 6.2 102.8 1.93 4.26 63.0 50.0 93 5.8 72.9 76 2.2 26.7 

38 91 3.0 5.6 6.4 110.8 6.2 109.0 1.93 4.26 63.1 50.1 93 5.7 78.6 76 2.2 28.8 

39 90 3.1 6.0 6.3 117.1 6.1 115.1 1.94 4.28 63.2 50.2 93 5.7 84.3 76 2.2 31.0 

40 90 3.3 6.4 6.3 123.4 6.1 121.2 1.94 4.28 63.2 50.2 93 5.7 90.0 76 2.2 33.2 

41 89 3.5 6.8 6.2 129.6 6.0 127.2 1.94 4.28 63.3 50.2 93 5.6 95.6 77 2.2 35.3 

42 89 3.7 7.2 6.2 135.9 6.0 133.2 1.94 4.28 63.4 50.3 94 5.6 101.2 77 2.2 37.5 

43 88 3.9 7.7 6.2 142.0 5.9 139.1 1.95 4.30 63.5 50.4 94 5.6 106.8 77 2.1 39.6 

44 88 4.0 8.3 6.2 148.2 5.9 145.1 1.95 4.30 63.6 50.5 94 5.6 112.3 77 2.1 41.8 

45 88 4.2 8.8 6.2 154.4 5.9 151.0 1.96 4.32 63.6 50.5 94 5.5 117.9 76 2.1 43.9 

46 88 4.4 9.3 6.2 160.5 5.9 156.9 1.96 4.32 63.8 50.6 94 5.5 123.4 76 2.1 46.0 

47 87 4.6 9.8 6.1 166.6 5.8 162.7 1.96 4.32 63.8 50.6 94 5.5 128.9 76 2.1 48.0 

48 87 4.8 10.3 6.1 172.7 5.8 168.5 1.96 4.32 64.0 50.8 94 5.5 134.3 76 2.1 50.1 

49 87 4.9 10.8 6.1 178.8 5.8 174.3 1.97 4.34 64.1 50.9 94 5.4 139.8 75 2.0 52.2 

50 86 5.1 11.3 6.0 184.8 5.7 180.0 1.97 4.34 64.3 51.0 94 5.4 145.1 75 2.0 54.2 

51 86 5.3 11.8 6.0 190.8 5.7 185.7 1.97 4.34 64.3 51.1 95 5.4 150.6 75 2.0 56.2 

52 86 5.5 12.3 6.0 196.8 5.7 191.4 2.00 4.41 64.5 51.2 95 5.4 156.0 74 2.0 58.2 

53 86 5.7 12.8 6.0 202.9 5.7 197.0 2.00 4.41 64.5 51.2 95 5.4 161.4 74 2.0 60.2 

54 85 5.9 13.4 6.0 208.8 5.6 202.6 2.00 4.41 64.6 51.3 95 5.3 166.7 73 1.9 62.1 

55 84 6.1 14.0 5.9 214.7 5.5 208.2 2.02 4.45 64.6 51.3 95 5.2 171.9 73 1.9 64.1 

56 83 6.3 14.6 5.8 220.5 5.4 213.6 2.02 4.45 64.6 51.3 95 5.2 177.1 72 1.9 65.9 

57 82 6.4 15.2 5.7 226.2 5.4 219.0 2.03 4.48 64.6 51.3 95 5.1 182.2 71 1.8 67.7 

58 82 6.6 15.8 5.7 232.0 5.4 224.3 2.03 4.48 64.6 51.3 95 5.1 187.3 71 1.8 69.5 

59 81 6.8 16.4 5.7 237.7 5.3 229.6 2.04 4.50 64.7 51.3 94 5.0 192.3 70 1.7 71.3 

60 81 7.0 17.0 5.7 243.3 5.3 234.9 2.04 4.50 64.7 51.3 94 5.0 197.2 70 1.7 73.0 

61 79 7.2 17.6 5.5 248.9 5.1 240.0 2.05 4.52 64.7 51.3 94 4.8 202.0 69 1.7 74.7 

62 78 7.4 18.3 5.5 254.3 5.1 245.1 2.05 4.52 64.8 51.4 94 4.8 206.8 69 1.6 76.3 

63 77 7.6 19.0 5.4 259.7 5.0 250.1 2.06 4.54 64.8 51.4 94 4.7 211.5 68 1.6 77.9 

64 76 7.8 19.7 5.3 265.0 4.9 255.0 2.06 4.54 64.9 51.5 94 4.6 216.1 68 1.6 79.5 

65 75 8.0 21.4 5.3 270.3 4.8 259.8 2.06 4.54 64.9 51.5 94 4.5 220.6 67 1.5 81.0 






Hy-Line SIlver Brown Parent Stock 











Water Consumption for Hy-Line Silver Brown Parent Pullets and Layers 




1 

2 

3 

4 

5 

6 

7 

8 

9 

10–15 

16–20 

21–25* 

Over 25* 


0.8–1.1 0.20–0.30 

1.1–1.9 0.30–0.50 

1.7–2.7 0.45–0.70 

2.5–3.8 0.65–1.00 

3.4–4.7 0.90–1.25 

4.5–5.7 1.20–1.50 

5.7–6.8 1.50–1.80 

6.1–8.0 1.60–2.10 

6.4–9.5 1.70–2.50 

6.8–10.2 1.80–2.70 

7.2–15.2 1.90–4.00 

9.9–18.2 2.60–4.80 

15.2–20.8 4.00–5.50 











87 to 84% 


Less than 84% 








Lysine, mg/day 845 820 785 750 







Valine, mg/day 761 738 707 675 



Laying Period Nutritional Recommendations—Silver Brown Parent 

Lysine, mg/day 925 898 859 821 







Valine, mg/day 839 814 779 744 


Calcium, 4 g/day 4.00 4.10 4.25 4.40 


Sodium, mg/day 180 180 180 180 



Choline, mg/day 100 100 100 100 


















87 to 84% 


Less than 84% 







g/day per hen 93 98 103* 108 113 101 106 111* 116 121 101 106 111* 116 121 102 107 112* 117 122 

lb/day per 100 hens 20.5 21.6 22.7* 23.8 24.9 22.3 23.4 24.5* 25.6 26.7 22.3 23.4 24.5* 25.6 26.7 22.5 23.6 24.7* 25.8 26.9 


Lysine, % 0.91 0.86 0.82 0.78 0.75 0.81 0.77 0.74 0.71 0.68 0.78 0.74 0.71 0.68 0.65 0.74 0.70 0.67 0.64 0.61 

Methionine, % 0.45 0.43 0.41 0.39 0.37 0.40 0.38 0.36 0.35 0.33 0.37 0.35 0.33 0.32 0.30 0.34 0.32 0.31 0.29 0.28 


Threonine, % 0.64 0.60 0.57 0.55 0.52 0.57 0.54 0.52 0.49 0.47 0.54 0.52 0.50 0.47 0.45 0.51 0.49 0.47 0.45 0.43 

Tryptophan, % 0.19 0.18 0.17 0.16 0.16 0.17 0.16 0.15 0.15 0.14 0.16 0.16 0.15 0.14 0.14 0.15 0.15 0.14 0.14 0.13 

Arginine, % 0.97 0.92 0.88 0.84 0.80 0.87 0.83 0.79 0.76 0.72 0.83 0.79 0.76 0.72 0.69 0.79 0.75 0.72 0.69 0.66 

Isoleucine, % 0.72 0.68 0.65 0.62 0.59 0.64 0.61 0.58 0.56 0.54 0.61 0.58 0.56 0.53 0.51 0.58 0.55 0.53 0.51 0.49 

Valine, % 0.82 0.78 0.74 0.70 0.67 0.73 0.70 0.66 0.64 0.61 0.70 0.67 0.64 0.61 0.58 0.66 0.63 0.60 0.58 0.55 


Laying Period Nutritional Recommendations—Silver Brown Parent 

Lysine, % 0.99 0.94 0.90 0.86 0.82 0.89 0.85 0.81 0.77 0.74 0.85 0.81 0.77 0.74 0.71 0.80 0.77 0.73 0.70 0.67 

Methionine, % 0.49 0.46 0.44 0.42 0.40 0.43 0.41 0.39 0.37 0.36 0.39 0.37 0.36 0.34 0.33 0.36 0.35 0.33 0.32 0.30 


Threonine, % 0.75 0.71 0.68 0.64 0.62 0.67 0.64 0.61 0.58 0.56 0.64 0.61 0.58 0.56 0.53 0.61 0.58 0.55 0.53 0.51 

Tryptophan, % 0.23 0.22 0.21 0.20 0.19 0.20 0.19 0.19 0.18 0.17 0.20 0.19 0.18 0.17 0.16 0.18 0.18 0.17 0.16 0.15 

Arginine, % 1.05 0.99 0.94 0.90 0.86 0.93 0.89 0.85 0.81 0.78 0.89 0.85 0.81 0.78 0.75 0.85 0.81 0.77 0.74 0.71 

Isoleucine, % 0.77 0.73 0.70 0.66 0.64 0.69 0.66 0.63 0.60 0.58 0.66 0.63 0.60 0.58 0.55 0.62 0.60 0.57 0.54 0.52 

Valine, % 0.90 0.86 0.81 0.78 0.74 0.81 0.77 0.73 0.70 0.67 0.77 0.73 0.70 0.67 0.64 0.73 0.70 0.66 0.64 0.61 

Crude protein 

(nitrogen × 6.25), 3 % 

19.35 18.37 17.48 16.67 15.93 17.57 16.75 15.99 15.30 14.67 16.83 16.04 15.32 14.66 14.05 15.69 14.95 14.29 13.68 13.11 

Calcium, 4 % 4.30 4.08 3.88 3.70 3.54 4.06 3.87 3.69 3.53 3.39 4.21 4.01 3.83 3.66 3.51 4.31 4.11 3.93 3.76 3.61 


Sodium, % 0.19 0.18 0.17 0.17 0.16 0.18 0.17 0.16 0.16 0.15 0.18 0.17 0.16 0.16 0.15 0.18 0.17 0.16 0.15 0.15 

Chloride, % 0.19 0.18 0.17 0.17 0.16 0.18 0.17 0.16 0.16 0.15 0.18 0.17 0.16 0.16 0.15 0.18 0.17 0.16 0.15 0.15 








































Total Egg Mass per Hen-Day (18—80 weeks) 20.8 kg (45.9 lb) 

Total Egg Mass per Hen-Housed (18–80 weeks) 20.2 kg (44.6 lb) 




























Weeks g lb 

1 65 0.14 

2 110 0.24 

3 170 0.37 

4 250 0.55 

5 320 0.71 

6 410 0.90 

7 500 1.10 

8 590 1.30 

9 690 1.52 

10 790 1.74 

11 870 1.92 

12 940 2.07 

13 1020 2.25 

14 1090 2.40 

15 1160 2.56 

16 1200 2.65 

17** 1240 2.73 

18 1270 2.80 
















1 13 2.80 89 0.20 

2 16 3.50 200 0.44 

3 19 4.20 333 0.74 

4 29 6.30 533 1.18 

5 38 8.40 800 1.76 

6 41 8.97 1085 2.39 

7 43 9.45 1385 3.05 

8 46 10.10 1706 3.76 

9 48 10.60 2042 4.50 

10 51 11.20 2398 5.29 

11 53 11.60 2766 6.10 

12 54 12.00 3147 6.94 

13 56 12.30 3538 7.80 

14 57 12.60 3938 8.68 

15 59 13.00 4351 9.59 

16 61 13.40 4776 10.53 

17 62 13.70 5211 11.49 












1 

2 

3 

4 

5 

6 

7 

8 

9 

10–15 

16–20 

21–25* 

Over 25* 


0.8–1.1 0.20–0.30 

1.1–1.9 0.30–0.50 

1.7–2.7 0.45–0.70 

2.5–3.8 0.65–1.00 

3.4–4.7 0.90–1.25 

4.5–5.7 1.20–1.50 

5.7–6.8 1.50–1.80 

6.1–8.0 1.60–2.10 

6.4–9.5 1.70–2.50 

6.8–10.2 1.80–2.70 

7.2–15.2 1.90–4.00 

9.9–18.2 2.60–4.80 

15.2–20.8 4.00–5.50 









Age 

in 

Weeks 

Curr. 

under Opt. 

Conditions 


Curr. 

under Avg. 

Conditions 

% 

Cum. 


Cum. 

under Opt. 

Conditions 

Hen-Day 

Eggs 

Cum. 

under Avg. 

Conditions 


Cum. 

under Opt. 

Conditions 

Hen-Housed 

Eggs 

Cum. 

under Avg. 

Conditions 


Egg Weight* 

kg lb g/egg 

Net lb/ 

30 doz 

case 

% 

Grade A 

Large and 

Above 

23 oz/doz 

Feed 

Consumption 

g/day 

per 

bird 

lb/day 

per 100 

birds 

Hen-Housed 

Egg Mass 

Cum. 

kg lb 



18 0 1 0.04 0.0 0.1 0.0 0.1 1.27 2.80 43.2 34.2 - 64 14.1 0.00 0.01 98.0 22.4 4280 

19 4 3 0.1 0.3 0.3 0.3 0.3 1.30 2.87 44.3 35.2 1 65 14.3 0.01 0.03 97.8 22.5 4270 

20 21 15 0.1 1.8 1.4 1.7 1.4 1.35 2.98 45.8 36.4 2 67 14.8 0.1 0.1 97.6 22.9 4260 

21 55 38 0.2 5.6 4.0 5.6 4.0 1.40 3.09 47.4 37.6 6 69 15.3 0.2 0.4 97.2 23.1 4250 

22 78 62 0.3 11.1 8.3 11.0 8.3 1.45 3.20 49.6 39.3 14 75 16.5 0.4 0.9 96.8 23.2 4250 

23 89 78 0.4 17.3 13.8 17.2 13.8 1.47 3.24 51.4 40.8 25 80 17.6 0.7 1.5 96.4 23.4 4240 

24 92 86 0.5 23.7 19.8 23.6 19.8 1.48 3.26 52.9 42.0 36 84 18.5 1.0 2.2 96.0 23.5 4240 

25 93 90 0.6 30.2 26.1 30.1 26.0 1.50 3.31 53.9 42.8 45 87 19.1 1.3 2.9 95.6 23.6 4230 

26 94 91 0.6 36.8 32.5 36.7 32.4 1.50 3.31 54.9 43.6 53 89 19.5 1.7 3.7 95.3 23.7 4220 

27 94 92 0.7 43.4 39.0 43.2 38.8 1.51 3.33 55.5 44.1 58 90 19.9 2.0 4.5 95.0 23.8 4210 

28 94 93 0.7 50.0 45.4 49.7 45.2 1.51 3.33 56.3 44.7 64 90 19.8 2.4 5.3 94.6 23.9 4200 

29 94 92 0.8 56.6 51.9 56.3 51.6 1.52 3.35 56.9 45.2 69 91 20.1 2.8 6.1 94.2 24.0 4190 

30 94 92 0.9 63.1 58.4 62.8 58.0 1.52 3.35 57.5 45.6 73 91 20.1 3.1 6.9 93.9 24.1 4180 

31 94 92 0.9 69.7 64.8 69.3 64.4 1.52 3.35 57.8 45.9 75 92 20.3 3.5 7.7 93.6 24.2 4170 

32 94 92 1.0 76.3 71.2 75.8 70.8 1.52 3.35 58.2 46.2 78 93 20.5 3.9 8.5 93.2 24.3 4160 

33 94 92 1.1 82.9 77.7 82.3 77.1 1.52 3.35 58.5 46.4 80 93 20.5 4.2 9.4 92.9 24.4 4150 

34 93 91 1.1 89.4 84.1 88.8 83.5 1.52 3.35 58.9 46.7 83 94 20.7 4.6 10.2 92.6 24.4 4140 

35 93 91 1.2 95.9 90.4 95.2 89.8 1.52 3.35 59.2 47.0 84 94 20.7 5.0 11.0 92.3 24.5 4130 

36 93 91 1.3 102.4 96.8 101.6 96.0 1.52 3.35 59.5 47.3 87 95 20.9 5.4 11.8 92.0 24.5 4120 

37 93 90 1.4 108.9 103.1 108.0 102.3 1.52 3.35 59.8 47.5 88 95 20.9 5.7 12.7 91.7 24.6 4110 

38 92 90 1.4 115.4 109.4 114.4 108.5 1.52 3.35 60.1 47.7 90 95 20.9 6.1 13.5 91.4 24.6 4110 

39 92 90 1.5 121.8 115.7 120.7 114.7 1.53 3.37 60.2 47.8 90 96 21.2 6.5 14.3 91.1 24.6 4100 

40 91 89 1.6 128.2 121.9 127.0 120.8 1.53 3.37 60.4 47.9 90 96 21.2 6.9 15.1 90.8 24.6 4100 

41 91 89 1.7 134.5 128.2 133.3 126.9 1.53 3.37 60.6 48.1 91 96 21.1 7.2 15.9 90.5 24.6 4090 

42 91 88 1.8 140.9 134.3 139.5 133.0 1.53 3.37 60.8 48.2 91 95 20.9 7.6 16.7 90.3 24.7 4090 

43 90 88 1.9 147.2 140.5 145.7 139.0 1.53 3.37 60.9 48.3 91 95 20.9 8.0 17.6 90.0 24.7 4085 

44 90 87 2.0 153.5 146.6 151.9 145.0 1.53 3.37 61.0 48.4 91 95 20.9 8.3 18.4 89.7 24.7 4085 

45 89 87 2.1 159.7 152.7 158.0 151.0 1.53 3.37 61.1 48.5 92 95 20.9 8.7 19.2 89.5 24.7 4080 

46 89 87 2.1 166.0 158.7 164.1 156.9 1.54 3.40 61.1 48.5 91 95 20.9 9.1 20.0 89.2 24.7 4080 

47 89 86 2.2 172.2 164.8 170.2 162.8 1.54 3.40 61.2 48.6 91 95 20.9 9.4 20.8 89.1 24.7 4075 

48 88 85 2.3 178.4 170.8 176.2 168.6 1.54 3.40 61.3 48.6 91 95 20.9 9.8 21.5 88.9 24.7 4075 

49 87 85 2.4 184.5 176.7 182.1 174.4 1.54 3.40 61.3 48.7 91 95 20.9 10.1 22.3 88.6 24.7 4070 

50 87 85 2.5 190.5 182.6 188.1 180.2 1.54 3.40 61.3 48.7 91 95 20.9 10.5 23.1 88.5 24.7 4070 

51 87 84 2.6 196.6 188.5 194.0 185.9 1.54 3.40 61.5 48.8 91 95 20.9 10.8 23.9 88.3 24.7 4065 

52 86 83 2.7 202.7 194.4 199.8 191.6 1.54 3.40 61.6 48.9 91 95 20.9 11.2 24.7 88.1 24.7 4065 

53 86 83 2.8 208.7 200.2 205.7 197.3 1.54 3.40 61.6 48.9 91 94 20.7 11.5 25.4 87.9 24.7 4060 

54 85 83 2.9 214.6 206.0 211.5 202.9 1.54 3.40 61.7 49.0 90 94 20.7 11.9 26.2 87.7 24.7 4060 

55 85 82 3.0 220.6 211.7 217.2 208.5 1.54 3.40 61.8 49.1 90 94 20.7 12.2 27.0 87.6 24.7 4050 

56 85 82 3.1 226.5 217.4 223.0 214.0 1.54 3.40 62.0 49.2 90 94 20.7 12.6 27.7 87.5 24.7 4050 

57 84 81 3.2 232.4 223.1 228.7 219.5 1.54 3.40 62.0 49.2 90 94 20.7 12.9 28.5 87.3 24.7 4045 

58 84 81 3.3 238.3 228.8 234.4 225.0 1.54 3.40 62.1 49.3 90 94 20.7 13.2 29.2 87.2 24.7 4045 

59 83 81 3.4 244.1 234.4 240.0 230.5 1.54 3.40 62.2 49.3 90 94 20.7 13.6 30.0 87.1 24.7 4040 






Haugh 

Units 

Egg Quality 

% 

Solids** 

Breaking 

Strength 



Age 

in 

Weeks 

Curr. 

under Opt. 

Conditions 


Curr. 

under Avg. 

Conditions 

% 

Cum. 

Cum. 

under Opt. 

Conditions 

Hen-Day 

Eggs 

Cum. 

under Avg. 

Conditions 


Cum. 

under Opt. 

Conditions 

Hen-Housed 

Eggs 

Cum. 

under Avg. 

Conditions 




Egg Weight* 

kg lb g/egg 








Net lb/ 

30 doz 

case 

% 

Grade A 

Large and 

Above 

23 oz/doz 

Feed 

Consumption 

g/day 

per 

bird 

lb/day 

per 

100 

birds 

Hen-Housed 

Egg Mass 

Cum. 

kg lb 

60 83 80 3.5 249.9 240.1 245.6 235.9 1.54 3.40 62.2 49.3 90 94 20.7 13.9 30.7 87.0 24.7 4040 

61 83 80 3.6 255.7 245.6 251.2 241.3 1.54 3.40 62.3 49.4 90 94 20.7 14.3 31.4 86.9 24.7 4035 

62 82 79 3.8 261.5 251.2 256.7 246.6 1.54 3.40 62.3 49.4 90 93 20.5 14.6 32.2 86.8 24.7 4030 

63 82 78 3.9 267.2 256.7 262.2 251.9 1.54 3.40 62.5 49.6 90 93 20.5 14.9 32.9 86.7 24.7 4020 

64 81 78 4.0 272.9 262.1 267.7 257.1 1.54 3.40 62.5 49.6 90 93 20.5 15.3 33.6 86.6 24.7 4010 

65 81 77 4.1 278.5 267.6 273.1 262.3 1.54 3.40 62.6 49.7 90 93 20.5 15.6 34.3 86.5 24.7 4005 

66 80 77 4.3 284.1 272.9 278.5 267.5 1.54 3.40 62.6 49.7 90 93 20.5 15.9 35.1 86.4 24.7 3990 

67 80 76 4.4 289.7 278.3 283.8 272.6 1.54 3.40 62.6 49.7 90 93 20.5 16.2 35.8 86.3 24.7 3985 

68 80 76 4.5 295.3 283.6 289.2 277.6 1.54 3.40 62.7 49.7 90 93 20.5 16.5 36.5 86.2 24.7 3970 

69 80 76 4.7 300.9 288.9 294.5 282.7 1.54 3.40 62.9 49.9 90 93 20.5 16.9 37.2 86.1 24.7 3960 

70 80 76 4.8 306.5 294.2 299.9 287.7 1.54 3.40 62.9 50.0 90 93 20.5 17.2 37.9 86.0 24.7 3955 

71 80 75 4.9 312.1 299.4 305.2 292.7 1.54 3.40 63.1 50.1 90 93 20.5 17.5 38.6 85.9 24.7 3950 

72 80 75 5.1 317.7 304.7 310.5 297.7 1.54 3.40 63.1 50.1 90 93 20.5 17.8 39.2 85.8 24.7 3945 

73 80 75 5.2 323.3 310.0 315.8 302.7 1.54 3.40 63.1 50.1 90 93 20.5 18.1 39.9 85.7 24.7 3940 

74 79 74 5.4 328.9 315.2 321.0 307.6 1.54 3.40 63.4 50.3 90 93 20.5 18.4 40.6 85.6 24.7 3940 

75 79 74 5.5 334.4 320.3 326.3 312.5 1.54 3.40 63.5 50.4 90 93 20.5 18.7 41.3 85.5 24.7 3930 

76 78 74 5.6 339.9 325.5 331.4 317.4 1.54 3.40 63.5 50.4 90 93 20.5 19.0 42.0 85.4 24.7 3930 

77 78 72 5.8 345.3 330.5 336.6 322.2 1.54 3.40 63.8 50.6 90 93 20.5 19.4 42.7 85.3 24.7 3920 

78 77 72 5.9 350.7 335.6 341.6 326.9 1.54 3.40 63.8 50.7 90 93 20.5 19.7 43.3 85.2 24.7 3920 

79 76 71 6.1 356.0 340.6 346.6 331.6 1.54 3.40 63.9 50.7 90 93 20.5 20.0 44.0 85.1 24.7 3910 

80 75 70 6.2 361.3 345.5 351.5 336.2 1.54 3.40 63.9 50.7 90 93 20.5 20.2 44.6 85.0 24.7 3910 

Haugh 

Units 

Egg Quality 

% 

Solids** 

Breaking 

Strength



100 

95 

90 

85 

80 

75 

70 

65 

60 

55 

50 

45 

40 

35 

30 

25 

20 





15 

0.8 

10 

0.6 

0.4 

5 

Mortality (%) 

0.2 

0 

0.0 

15 20 25 30 35 40 45 50 55 60 65 70 75 80 

Age (weeks) 







5.0 

4.8 

4.6 

4.4 

4.2 

4.0 

3.8 

3.6 

3.4 

3.2 

3.0 

2.8 

2.6 

2.4 

2.2 

2.0 

1.8 

1.6 

1.4 

1.2 

1.0 

Kilograms


Age in 

Weeks 

Average 

Egg Weight 

(lb/case) 

Jumbo 

Over 30 

oz/doz 


Extra Large 

27–30 

oz/doz 

Large 

24–27 

oz/doz 

Medium 

21–24 

oz/doz 

Small 

18–21 

oz/doz 



Peewee 

Under 18 

oz/doz 

22 39.3 0.0 0.1 5.3 44.7 44.6 5.4 

24 42.0 0.0 0.9 19.5 55.9 22.5 1.2 

26 43.6 0.0 2.9 32.1 51.9 12.6 0.4 

28 44.7 0.1 5.5 41.0 45.7 7.5 0.2 

30 45.6 0.2 8.4 48.3 38.8 4.2 0.1 

32 46.2 0.2 10.5 52.3 34.1 2.8 0.0 

34 46.7 0.3 13.1 55.8 29.1 1.7 0.0 

36 47.3 0.4 15.6 58.3 24.7 1.1 0.0 

38 47.7 0.5 18.5 60.0 20.3 0.6 0.0 

40 47.9 0.7 20.9 58.9 18.9 0.6 0.0 

42 48.2 1.0 23.5 58.6 16.5 0.5 0.0 

44 48.4 1.2 25.1 57.2 15.9 0.5 0.0 

46 48.5 1.3 25.8 57.0 15.4 0.5 0.0 

48 48.6 1.7 27.4 55.6 14.9 0.5 0.0 

50 48.7 1.9 27.6 55.2 14.9 0.5 0.0 

52 48.9 2.2 29.6 53.9 13.9 0.5 0.0 

54 49.0 2.5 30.4 52.8 13.9 0.5 0.0 

56 49.2 2.9 32.3 51.8 12.5 0.5 0.0 

58 49.3 3.4 33.0 50.7 12.5 0.5 0.0 

60 49.3 3.8 33.7 49.8 12.2 0.5 0.0 

62 49.4 4.0 34.1 49.2 12.2 0.5 0.0 

64 49.6 4.4 35.3 48.5 11.4 0.4 0.0 

66 49.7 4.6 35.9 48.1 11.0 0.4 0.0 

68 49.7 4.8 36.5 47.7 10.7 0.4 0.0 

70 50.0 5.2 37.7 46.8 10.0 0.3 0.0 

72 50.1 5.6 38.9 45.9 9.3 0.3 0.0 

74 50.3 6.3 40.6 44.5 8.3 0.2 0.0 

76 50.4 6.6 41.1 44.0 8.0 0.2 0.0 

78 50.7 7.4 42.7 42.5 7.2 0.2 0.0 

80 50.7 7.7 43.3 41.9 6.9 0.2 0.0 







Age in 

Weeks 

Average 



Very Large 

Over 73 g 

Large 

63–73 g 

Medium 

53–63 g 



Small 

43–53 g 

22 49.6 0.0 0.1 21.9 78.0 

24 52.9 0.0 1.4 47.7 50.9 

26 54.9 0.0 4.2 61.5 34.3 

28 56.3 0.0 7.7 68.2 24.1 

30 57.5 0.0 11.6 72.0 16.4 

32 58.2 0.1 14.3 73.3 12.4 

34 58.9 0.1 17.5 73.4 9.0 

36 59.5 0.1 20.7 72.7 6.6 

38 60.1 0.1 24.4 71.0 4.6 

40 60.4 0.2 27.1 68.5 4.3 

42 60.8 0.2 30.2 66.1 3.5 

44 61.0 0.3 32.2 64.1 3.5 

46 61.1 0.3 33.0 63.4 3.3 

48 61.3 0.5 34.8 61.5 3.3 

50 61.3 0.6 35.0 61.2 3.3 

52 61.6 0.7 37.4 58.9 3.1 

54 61.7 0.8 38.3 57.8 3.1 

56 62.0 1.0 40.6 55.4 3.0 

58 62.1 1.2 41.4 54.5 2.9 

60 62.2 1.4 42.4 53.4 2.9 

62 62.3 1.5 42.9 52.8 2.9 

64 62.5 1.6 44.3 51.4 2.6 

66 62.6 1.7 45.1 50.8 2.5 

68 62.7 1.8 45.8 50.1 2.4 

70 62.9 2.0 47.2 48.7 2.2 

72 63.1 2.2 48.7 47.2 2.0 

74 63.4 2.5 50.8 45.1 1.7 

76 63.5 2.6 51.4 44.3 1.6 

78 63.8 3.0 53.5 42.1 1.4 

80 63.9 3.2 54.1 41.4 1.3 








Average 

Egg Weight* 


doz case 



% Grade A 



per bird 

lb/day per 

100 birds 



Hen-Housed 

Egg Mass Cum. 

kg lb 

69 0 4.7 280.8 274.9 1.30 2.87 - - - - - 16.3 36.0 

70 0 4.8 280.8 274.9 1.27 2.80 - - - 40 8.8 16.3 36.0 

71 0 4.9 280.8 274.9 1.30 2.87 - - - 60 13.2 16.3 36.0 

72 11 5.0 281.5 275.7 1.35 2.97 62.5 49.6 91 78 17.2 16.4 36.1 

73 33 5.2 283.8 277.9 1.39 3.07 62.6 49.7 91 83 18.3 16.5 36.4 

74 56 5.3 287.8 281.6 1.44 3.17 63.0 50.0 92 86 19.0 16.8 37.0 

75 67 5.4 292.4 286.0 1.44 3.17 63.1 50.1 92 88 19.4 17.0 37.6 

76 75 5.5 297.7 291.0 1.46 3.21 63.2 50.2 92 89 19.6 17.4 38.3 

77 79 5.6 303.2 296.2 1.49 3.28 63.3 50.2 92 90 19.8 17.7 39.0 

78 81 5.8 308.9 301.5 1.51 3.32 63.3 50.2 92 92 20.3 18.0 39.7 

79 82 5.9 314.6 306.9 1.53 3.36 63.4 50.3 92 93 20.3 18.4 40.5 

80 82 6.0 320.4 312.3 1.55 3.41 63.4 50.3 91 93 20.3 18.7 41.3 

81 82 6.2 326.1 317.7 1.56 3.43 63.4 50.3 91 93 20.5 19.1 42.0 

82 83 6.3 331.9 323.2 1.57 3.45 63.4 50.3 91 93 20.5 19.4 42.8 

83 83 6.5 337.7 328.6 1.57 3.47 63.5 50.4 91 93 20.5 19.7 43.5 

84 82 6.6 343.5 334.0 1.57 3.47 63.5 50.4 91 93 20.5 20.1 44.3 

85 81 6.8 349.1 339.2 1.57 3.47 63.5 50.4 91 93 20.5 20.4 45.0 

86 81 6.9 354.8 344.5 1.57 3.47 63.5 50.4 91 93 20.5 20.8 45.8 

87 80 7.1 360.4 349.7 1.57 3.47 63.5 50.4 91 93 20.5 21.1 46.5 

88 80 7.3 366.0 354.9 1.57 3.47 63.5 50.4 91 93 20.5 21.4 47.2 

89 79 7.4 371.5 360.0 1.57 3.47 63.5 50.4 90 94 20.7 21.7 47.9 

90 79 7.6 377.1 365.1 1.57 3.47 63.5 50.4 90 94 20.7 22.1 48.6 

91 79 7.7 382.6 370.2 1.57 3.47 63.6 50.5 90 94 20.7 22.4 49.4 

92 78 7.9 388.1 375.3 1.57 3.47 63.6 50.5 90 94 20.7 22.7 50.1 

93 78 8.1 393.5 380.3 1.57 3.47 63.6 50.5 90 94 20.7 23.0 50.8 

94 78 8.3 399.0 385.3 1.57 3.47 63.7 50.6 90 94 20.7 23.3 51.5 

95 77 8.4 404.4 390.2 1.57 3.47 63.7 50.6 90 94 20.7 23.7 52.2 

96 77 8.6 409.8 395.2 1.57 3.47 63.7 50.6 90 95 20.9 24.0 52.9 

97 77 8.8 415.2 400.1 1.57 3.47 63.8 50.6 90 95 20.9 24.3 53.6 

98 76 9.0 420.5 404.9 1.57 3.47 63.8 50.6 90 95 20.9 24.6 54.2 

99 76 9.1 425.8 409.8 1.57 3.47 63.8 50.6 90 95 20.9 24.9 54.9 

100 75 9.3 431.0 414.5 1.57 3.47 63.9 50.7 90 95 20.9 25.2 55.6 

101 75 9.5 436.3 419.3 1.57 3.47 63.9 50.7 90 95 20.9 25.5 56.3 

102 74 9.7 441.5 423.9 1.57 3.47 64.0 50.8 90 96 21.2 25.8 56.9 

103 74 9.9 446.7 428.6 1.57 3.47 64.0 50.8 90 96 21.2 26.1 57.6 

104 74 10.1 451.8 433.3 1.57 3.47 64.1 50.9 90 96 21.2 26.4 58.2 

105 73 10.3 456.9 437.9 1.57 3.47 64.1 50.9 90 96 21.2 26.7 58.9 

106 72 10.5 462.0 442.4 1.57 3.47 64.2 51.0 90 96 21.2 27.0 59.5 

107 71 10.7 467.0 446.8 1.57 3.47 64.2 51.0 90 97 21.4 27.3 60.1 

108 71 10.9 471.9 451.2 1.57 3.47 64.3 51.0 89 97 21.4 27.6 60.8 

109 70 11.1 476.8 455.6 1.57 3.47 64.3 51.0 89 98 21.6 27.8 61.4 

110 70 11.3 481.7 459.9 1.57 3.47 64.4 51.1 89 98 21.6 28.1 62.0 










100 

5.0 

95 

4.8 

90 

4.6 

4.4 

85 

4.2 

80 

4.0 

75 

3.8 

70 

65 


3.6 

3.4 

3.2 

60 

3.0 

55 

2.8 

50 

2.6 

2.4 

45 

2.2 

40 

2.0 

35 

30 


1.8 

1.6 

1.4 

25 

1.2 

20 

1.0 

15 

0.8 

10 

0.6 

0.4 

5 

Mortality (%) 

0.2 

0 

0.0 

15 20 25 30 35 40 45 50 55 60 65 70 75 80 85 90 95 100 105 110 


Age (weeks) 






Kilograms











































Weeks g lb 

1 65 0.14 

2 110 0.24 

3 180 0.40 

4 260 0.57 

5 350 0.77 

6 450 0.99 

7 550 1.21 

8 650 1.43 

9 750 1.65 

10 850 1.87 

11 930 2.05 

12 1000 2.20 

13 1070 2.36 

14 1130 2.49 

15 1180 2.60 

16** 1230 2.71 

17 1270 2.80 
















1 14 3.09 98 0.22 

2 17 3.75 217 0.48 

3 21 4.63 364 0.80 

4 29 6.39 567 1.25 

5 39 8.60 840 1.85 

6 43 9.48 1141 2.52 

7 46 10.14 1463 3.23 

8 49 10.80 1806 3.98 

9 52 11.46 2170 4.78 

10 54 11.91 2548 5.62 

11 55 12.13 2933 6.47 

12 57 12.57 3332 7.35 

13 59 13.01 3745 8.26 

14 60 13.23 4165 9.18 

15 62 13.67 4599 10.14 

16 64 14.11 5047 11.13 













1 

2 

3 

4 

5 

6 

7 

8 

9 

10–15 

16–20 

21–25* 

Over 25* 


0.8–1.1 0.20–0.30 

1.1–1.9 0.30–0.50 

1.7–2.7 0.45–0.70 

2.5–3.8 0.65–1.00 

3.4–4.7 0.90–1.25 

4.5–5.7 1.20–1.50 

5.7–6.8 1.50–1.80 

6.1–8.0 1.60–2.10 

6.4–9.5 1.70–2.50 

6.8–10.2 1.80–2.70 

7.2–15.2 1.90–4.00 

9.9–18.2 2.60–4.80 

15.2–20.8 4.00–5.50 








Age 

in 

Weeks 

Curr. 

under Opt. 

Conditions 


Curr. 

under Avg. 

Conditions 

% 

Cum. 


Cum. 

under Opt. 

Conditions 

Hen-Day 

Eggs 

Cum. 

under Avg. 

Conditions 


Cum. 

under Opt. 

Conditions 

Hen-Housed 

Eggs 

Cum. 

under Avg. 

Conditions 


Egg Weight* 

kg lb g/egg 

Net lb/ 

30 doz 

case 

% 

Grade A 

Large and 

Above 

23 oz/doz 

Feed 

Consumption 

g/day 

per 

bird 

lb/day 

per 100 

birds 

Hen-Housed 

Egg Mass 

Cum. 

kg lb 



18 14 12 0.1 1.0 0.8 1.0 0.8 1.32 2.91 41.8 33.2 0 72 15.9 0.0 0.1 98.2 22.0 4520 

19 35 33 0.1 3.4 3.2 3.4 3.1 1.39 3.07 45.6 36.2 5 78 17.2 0.1 0.3 98.0 22.3 4515 

20 59 57 0.2 7.6 7.1 7.5 7.1 1.45 3.20 47.9 38.0 12 82 18.1 0.3 0.7 97.8 22.5 4500 

21 78 76 0.2 13.0 12.5 13.0 12.4 1.49 3.29 49.9 39.6 21 86 19.0 0.6 1.3 97.2 22.9 4500 

22 87 85 0.3 19.1 18.4 19.1 18.4 1.52 3.35 51.6 41.0 31 88 19.4 0.9 2.0 97.0 22.9 4490 

23 92 90 0.4 25.6 24.7 25.5 24.6 1.54 3.40 53.4 42.4 42 90 19.8 1.2 2.7 96.5 23.1 4485 

24 92 90 0.4 32.0 31.0 31.9 30.9 1.56 3.44 54.4 43.2 49 92 20.3 1.6 3.5 96.0 23.3 4480 

25 93 91 0.5 38.5 37.4 38.4 37.3 1.57 3.47 55.8 44.3 58 92 20.3 1.9 4.3 95.5 23.4 4475 

26 93 91 0.5 45.0 43.8 44.8 43.6 1.58 3.49 56.7 45.0 63 95 20.9 2.3 5.1 95.1 23.5 4470 

27 93 92 0.6 51.5 50.2 51.3 50.0 1.59 3.51 57.5 45.6 68 96 21.2 2.7 5.9 94.7 23.6 4465 

28 94 92 0.7 58.1 56.6 57.8 56.4 1.60 3.52 58.4 46.3 74 97 21.4 3.0 6.7 94.2 23.6 4460 

29 94 93 0.7 64.7 63.1 64.4 62.8 1.60 3.53 59.0 46.8 77 97 21.4 3.4 7.6 93.7 23.7 4455 

30 94 93 0.8 71.3 69.7 70.9 69.3 1.61 3.54 59.5 47.2 80 98 21.6 3.8 8.4 93.3 23.7 4450 

31 93 93 0.8 77.8 76.2 77.4 75.8 1.61 3.55 59.8 47.5 82 98 21.6 4.2 9.3 92.8 23.8 4440 

32 93 92 0.9 84.3 82.6 83.8 82.1 1.61 3.55 60.1 47.7 84 98 21.6 4.6 10.1 92.2 23.8 4440 

33 92 91 1.0 90.7 89.0 90.2 88.4 1.61 3.56 60.4 47.9 85 98 21.6 5.0 11.0 92.0 23.9 4430 

34 92 91 1.0 97.2 95.3 96.6 94.7 1.61 3.56 60.6 48.1 87 98 21.6 5.4 11.8 91.5 23.9 4430 

35 91 90 1.1 103.5 101.6 102.9 101.0 1.62 3.57 61.0 48.4 89 99 21.8 5.7 12.7 91.1 24.0 4420 

36 91 90 1.1 109.9 107.9 109.2 107.2 1.62 3.57 61.3 48.7 91 99 21.8 6.1 13.5 90.6 24.0 4400 

37 91 89 1.2 116.3 114.2 115.4 113.4 1.62 3.58 61.6 48.9 92 99 21.8 6.5 14.4 90.4 24.2 4400 

38 90 89 1.3 122.6 120.4 121.7 119.5 1.62 3.58 61.9 49.1 94 99 21.8 6.9 15.2 90.0 24.2 4395 

39 90 88 1.3 128.9 126.6 127.9 125.6 1.63 3.59 62.1 49.3 94 99 21.8 7.3 16.1 89.6 24.5 4395 

40 90 88 1.4 135.2 132.7 134.1 131.7 1.63 3.59 62.3 49.4 94 99 21.8 7.7 16.9 89.3 24.5 4390 

41 89 87 1.5 141.4 138.8 140.2 137.7 1.63 3.60 62.6 49.7 95 99 21.8 8.1 17.8 88.9 24.5 4350 

42 89 87 1.6 147.6 144.9 146.4 143.7 1.63 3.60 62.8 49.8 95 99 21.8 8.4 18.6 88.5 24.5 4350 

43 88 87 1.6 153.8 151.0 152.4 149.6 1.64 3.61 63.0 50.0 95 99 21.8 8.8 19.4 88.0 24.5 4320 

44 87 86 1.7 159.9 157.0 158.4 155.6 1.64 3.61 63.3 50.2 95 99 21.8 9.2 20.3 87.8 24.5 4320 

45 87 86 1.8 166.0 163.0 164.4 161.5 1.64 3.62 63.6 50.5 95 99 21.8 9.6 21.1 87.4 24.5 4290 

46 86 85 1.9 172.0 169.0 170.3 167.3 1.64 3.62 63.8 50.6 95 100 22.0 10.0 22.0 87.1 24.4 4290 

47 86 85 2.0 178.0 174.9 176.2 173.1 1.64 3.62 63.8 50.6 95 100 22.0 10.3 22.8 86.7 24.4 4265 

48 85 85 2.1 184.0 180.9 182.0 179.0 1.65 3.63 64.0 50.8 95 100 22.0 10.7 23.6 86.4 24.4 4265 

49 85 84 2.1 189.9 186.8 187.8 184.7 1.65 3.63 64.0 50.8 95 100 22.0 11.1 24.5 86.1 24.4 4220 

50 85 84 2.2 195.9 192.6 193.7 190.5 1.65 3.63 64.1 50.9 95 100 22.0 11.5 25.3 85.6 24.4 4200 

51 84 83 2.3 201.7 198.5 199.4 196.1 1.65 3.64 64.2 51.0 95 100 22.0 11.8 26.1 85.0 24.4 4190 

52 84 83 2.4 207.6 204.3 205.1 201.8 1.65 3.64 64.3 51.0 94 100 22.0 12.2 26.9 85.0 24.4 4190 

53 84 82 2.5 213.5 210.0 210.9 207.4 1.65 3.64 64.4 51.1 94 100 22.0 12.6 27.8 84.8 24.4 4160 

54 83 82 2.7 219.3 215.7 216.5 213.0 1.65 3.64 64.5 51.2 94 100 22.0 13.0 28.6 84.6 24.4 4160 

55 83 81 2.8 225.1 221.4 222.2 218.5 1.66 3.65 64.6 51.3 94 100 22.0 13.3 29.4 84.3 24.4 4100 

56 83 81 2.9 230.9 227.1 227.8 224.0 1.66 3.65 64.8 51.4 94 101 22.3 13.7 30.2 84.0 24.3 4100 

57 82 80 3.0 236.7 232.7 233.4 229.4 1.66 3.65 64.8 51.4 93 101 22.3 14.1 31.0 83.8 24.3 4095 

58 82 80 3.1 242.4 238.3 238.9 234.9 1.66 3.65 64.8 51.4 93 101 22.3 14.4 31.8 83.1 24.3 4095 

59 81 79 3.3 248.1 243.8 244.4 240.2 1.66 3.66 64.9 51.5 93 101 22.3 14.8 32.6 82.8 24.3 4090 






Haugh 

Units 

Egg Quality 

% 

Solids** 

Breaking 

Strength 



Age 

in 

Weeks 

Curr. 

under Opt. 

Conditions 


Curr. 

under Avg. 

Conditions 

% 

Cum. 

Cum. 

under Opt. 

Conditions 

Hen-Day 

Eggs 

Cum. 

under Avg. 

Conditions 


Cum. 

under Opt. 

Conditions 

Hen-Housed 

Eggs 

Cum. 

under Avg. 

Conditions 




Egg Weight* 

kg lb g/egg 








Net lb/ 

30 doz 

case 

% 

Grade A 

Large and 

Above 

23 oz/doz 

Feed 

Consumption 

g/day 

per 

bird 

lb/day 

per 100 

birds 

Hen-Housed 

Egg Mass 

Cum. 

kg lb 

60 81 78 3.4 253.8 249.3 249.9 245.5 1.66 3.66 65.0 51.6 93 101 22.3 15.1 33.4 82.6 24.3 4080 

61 80 77 3.5 259.4 254.7 255.3 250.7 1.66 3.66 65.1 51.7 93 101 22.3 15.5 34.1 82.4 24.3 4080 

62 80 77 3.7 265.0 260.1 260.7 255.9 1.66 3.66 65.2 51.7 93 101 22.3 15.8 34.9 82.2 24.3 4065 

63 79 76 3.8 270.5 265.4 266.0 261.0 1.66 3.67 65.3 51.8 92 101 22.3 16.2 35.7 82.0 24.3 4065 

64 79 76 4.0 276.0 270.7 271.3 266.1 1.66 3.67 65.3 51.8 92 101 22.3 16.5 36.5 81.9 24.2 4055 

65 78 75 4.1 281.5 275.9 276.6 271.1 1.66 3.67 65.4 51.9 92 101 22.3 16.9 37.2 81.8 24.2 4050 

66 78 75 4.3 286.9 281.2 281.8 276.2 1.66 3.67 65.4 51.9 92 101 22.3 17.2 38.0 81.6 24.2 4005 

67 77 74 4.4 292.3 286.4 286.9 281.1 1.66 3.67 65.5 52.0 92 101 22.3 17.6 38.7 81.5 24.2 4005 

68 76 74 4.6 297.6 291.6 292.0 286.0 1.67 3.68 65.5 52.0 92 102 22.5 17.9 39.5 81.5 24.2 3990 

69 76 74 4.8 303.0 296.7 297.1 291.0 1.67 3.68 65.5 52.0 92 102 22.5 18.2 40.2 81.3 24.2 3990 

70 75 73 4.9 308.2 301.8 302.1 295.8 1.67 3.68 65.6 52.1 92 102 22.5 18.6 41.0 81.1 24.2 3965 

71 74 73 5.1 313.4 307.0 307.0 300.7 1.67 3.68 65.6 52.1 92 102 22.5 18.9 41.7 81.1 24.2 3965 

72 74 72 5.3 318.6 312.0 311.9 305.5 1.67 3.68 65.6 52.1 91 102 22.5 19.2 42.4 81.0 24.2 3945 

73 73 72 5.4 323.7 317.0 316.7 310.2 1.67 3.69 65.6 52.1 91 102 22.5 19.6 43.1 80.9 24.2 3945 

74 73 71 5.6 328.8 322.0 321.5 314.9 1.67 3.69 65.7 52.1 91 102 22.5 19.9 43.9 80.8 24.2 3930 

75 72 71 5.8 333.8 327.0 326.3 319.6 1.67 3.69 65.7 52.1 91 102 22.5 20.2 44.6 80.7 24.2 3930 

76 72 70 6.0 338.9 331.9 331.0 324.2 1.67 3.69 65.8 52.2 91 102 22.5 20.5 45.3 80.5 24.2 3920 

77 71 70 6.2 343.8 336.8 335.7 328.8 1.67 3.69 65.8 52.2 91 102 22.5 20.9 46.0 80.4 24.2 3920 

78 71 69 6.3 348.8 341.6 340.3 333.3 1.68 3.70 65.8 52.2 91 102 22.5 21.2 46.7 80.2 24.1 3900 

79 70 69 6.5 353.7 346.4 344.9 337.8 1.68 3.70 65.9 52.3 91 102 22.5 21.5 47.4 80.1 24.1 3900 

80 70 69 6.7 358.6 351.3 349.5 342.3 1.68 3.70 65.9 52.3 91 103 22.7 21.8 48.1 80.0 24.1 3900 

Haugh 

Units 

Egg Quality 

% 

Solids** 

Breaking 

Strength



100 

95 

90 

85 

80 

75 

70 

65 

60 

55 

50 

45 

40 

35 

30 

25 

20 





15 

0.8 

10 

0.6 

0.4 

5 

Mortality (%) 

0.2 

0 

0.0 

15 20 25 30 35 40 45 50 55 60 65 70 75 80 

Age (weeks) 







5.0 

4.8 

4.6 

4.4 

4.2 

4.0 

3.8 

3.6 

3.4 

3.2 

3.0 

2.8 

2.6 

2.4 

2.2 

2.0 

1.8 

1.6 

1.4 

1.2 

1.0 

Kilograms


Age in 

Weeks 

Average 

Egg Weight 

(lb/case) 

Jumbo 

Over 30 

oz/doz 


Extra Large 

27–30 

oz/doz 

Large 

24–27 

oz/doz 

Medium 

21–24 

oz/doz 

Small 

18–21 

oz/doz 



Peewee 

Under 18 

oz/doz 

22 41.0 0.0 1.7 17.1 45.2 30.0 5.9 

24 43.2 0.3 5.3 29.3 44.4 18.6 2.2 

26 45.0 0.8 10.7 38.5 38.6 10.6 0.8 

28 46.3 1.4 15.8 44.5 32.1 5.9 0.3 

30 47.2 1.9 19.8 47.7 26.9 3.5 0.1 

32 47.7 2.1 22.2 49.6 23.7 2.3 0.1 

34 48.1 2.2 24.1 52.0 20.4 1.4 0.0 

36 48.7 2.2 27.6 53.7 15.8 0.6 0.0 

38 49.1 2.2 31.9 54.0 11.6 0.3 0.0 

40 49.4 2.8 34.2 52.3 10.5 0.2 0.0 

42 49.8 3.6 37.7 49.9 8.6 0.2 0.0 

44 50.2 5.0 40.8 46.7 7.4 0.2 0.0 

46 50.6 6.6 43.5 43.4 6.4 0.1 0.0 

48 50.8 7.2 44.2 42.2 6.4 0.1 0.0 

50 50.9 7.9 44.7 41.3 6.0 0.1 0.0 

52 51.0 9.0 45.2 39.8 5.9 0.1 0.0 

54 51.2 10.1 45.7 38.4 5.7 0.1 0.0 

56 51.4 11.2 46.5 36.7 5.5 0.1 0.0 

58 51.4 11.5 46.5 36.4 5.5 0.1 0.0 

60 51.6 12.7 46.6 35.2 5.4 0.1 0.0 

62 51.7 13.7 46.9 34.2 5.1 0.1 0.0 

64 51.8 14.4 46.9 33.5 5.1 0.1 0.0 

66 51.9 15.0 46.9 33.0 5.0 0.1 0.0 

68 52.0 16.0 46.5 32.5 5.0 0.1 0.0 

70 52.1 16.9 46.1 32.0 5.0 0.1 0.0 

72 52.1 16.9 46.1 32.0 5.0 0.1 0.0 

74 52.1 17.9 45.6 31.5 5.0 0.1 0.0 

76 52.2 18.3 45.8 30.9 5.0 0.1 0.0 

78 52.2 18.7 45.7 30.7 4.9 0.1 0.0 

80 52.3 19.2 45.4 30.3 4.9 0.1 0.0 







Age in 

Weeks 

Average 



Very Large 

Over 73 g 

Large 

63–73 g 

Medium 

53–63 g 



Small 

43–53 g 

22 51.6 0.0 2.5 38.0 59.5 

24 54.4 0.1 7.2 52.1 40.6 

26 56.7 0.3 14.0 59.2 26.5 

28 58.4 0.5 20.5 61.8 17.2 

30 59.5 0.7 25.5 61.9 11.8 

32 60.1 0.8 28.5 61.8 9.0 

34 60.6 0.8 31.4 61.3 6.4 

36 61.3 0.9 35.2 60.1 3.8 

38 61.9 0.9 39.3 57.6 2.2 

40 62.3 1.0 43.0 54.2 1.8 

42 62.8 1.2 47.1 50.3 1.5 

44 63.3 1.8 50.9 46.1 1.3 

46 63.8 2.5 54.2 42.2 1.1 

48 64.0 2.8 55.1 41.0 1.1 

50 64.1 3.2 55.9 39.9 1.0 

52 64.3 3.8 56.7 38.5 1.0 

54 64.5 4.5 57.4 37.2 1.0 

56 64.8 5.1 58.5 35.5 1.0 

58 64.8 5.6 58.9 34.5 1.0 

60 65.0 6.2 59.0 33.9 1.0 

62 65.2 6.7 59.7 32.7 1.0 

64 65.3 7.3 59.8 32.0 1.0 

66 65.4 7.6 59.9 31.6 1.0 

68 65.5 8.3 59.6 31.1 1.0 

70 65.6 9.0 59.3 30.8 0.9 

72 65.6 9.1 59.2 30.7 0.9 

74 65.7 9.5 59.2 30.4 0.9 

76 65.8 10.1 58.9 30.1 0.9 

78 65.8 10.6 58.6 29.9 0.9 

80 65.9 10.8 58.6 29.8 0.9 








Average 

Egg Weight* 


doz case 



% Grade A 



per bird 

lb/day per 

100 birds 



Hen-Housed 

Egg Mass Cum. 

kg lb 

68 44 4.6 289.5 284.0 1.67 3.68 65.5 52.0 92 - - 17.8 39.3 

69 0 4.9 289.5 284.0 1.33 2.93 - - - 36 8.0 17.8 39.3 

70 0 5.1 289.5 284.0 1.27 2.80 - - - 68 15.0 17.8 39.3 

71 5 5.3 289.8 284.4 1.44 3.18 63.0 50.0 93 92 20.3 17.8 39.3 

72 22 5.4 291.4 285.8 1.51 3.32 63.4 50.3 93 96 21.1 17.9 39.5 

73 52 5.5 295.0 289.3 1.56 3.44 63.7 50.6 93 98 21.7 18.1 40.0 

74 77 5.6 300.4 294.4 1.61 3.55 63.9 50.7 93 101 22.2 18.5 40.7 

75 80 5.7 306.0 299.6 1.64 3.62 64.1 50.9 93 100 22.1 18.8 41.5 

76 83 5.8 311.8 305.1 1.66 3.66 64.3 51.0 94 100 22.0 19.2 42.4 

77 84 6.0 317.7 310.6 1.67 3.68 64.5 51.2 93 99 21.9 19.6 43.2 

78 83 6.1 323.5 316.1 1.67 3.69 64.6 51.3 93 99 21.9 20.0 44.0 

79 82 6.2 329.2 321.5 1.67 3.69 64.7 51.3 93 99 21.8 20.3 44.8 

80 81 6.3 334.9 326.8 1.68 3.70 64.7 51.3 93 99 21.8 20.7 45.6 

81 80 6.5 340.5 332.0 1.68 3.70 64.7 51.3 93 99 21.8 21.1 46.4 

82 80 6.6 346.1 337.2 1.68 3.70 64.8 51.4 93 98 21.7 21.4 47.2 

83 79 6.8 351.6 342.4 1.68 3.70 64.8 51.4 93 98 21.7 21.8 48.0 

84 79 6.9 357.2 347.6 1.68 3.71 64.8 51.4 93 98 21.7 22.1 48.8 

85 79 7.1 362.7 352.7 1.68 3.71 64.8 51.4 93 98 21.6 22.5 49.6 

86 78 7.2 368.2 357.8 1.68 3.71 64.9 51.5 93 98 21.6 22.9 50.4 

87 78 7.4 373.6 362.8 1.68 3.71 64.9 51.5 92 98 21.7 23.2 51.2 

88 78 7.5 379.1 367.9 1.68 3.71 64.9 51.5 92 98 21.7 23.6 52.0 

89 77 7.7 384.5 372.8 1.69 3.72 65.0 51.6 92 98 21.7 23.9 52.7 

90 76 7.9 389.8 377.7 1.69 3.72 65.0 51.6 92 99 21.8 24.3 53.5 

91 76 8.0 395.1 382.6 1.69 3.72 65.0 51.6 92 99 21.8 24.6 54.3 

92 75 8.2 400.4 387.5 1.69 3.72 65.1 51.7 92 99 21.8 24.9 55.0 

93 75 8.4 405.6 392.3 1.69 3.72 65.1 51.7 92 99 21.9 25.3 55.8 

94 74 8.6 410.8 397.0 1.69 3.72 65.1 51.7 92 100 21.9 25.6 56.5 

95 74 8.8 416.0 401.7 1.69 3.73 65.2 51.7 92 100 22.0 26.0 57.3 

96 74 9.0 421.2 406.4 1.69 3.73 65.2 51.7 91 100 22.0 26.3 58.0 

97 73 9.2 426.3 411.1 1.69 3.73 65.2 51.7 91 100 22.1 26.6 58.7 

98 73 9.4 431.4 415.7 1.69 3.73 65.2 51.7 91 100 22.2 27.0 59.5 

99 72 9.6 436.4 420.3 1.69 3.73 65.3 51.8 91 101 22.2 27.3 60.2 

100 72 9.8 441.5 424.8 1.69 3.73 65.3 51.8 91 101 22.3 27.6 60.9 

101 71 10.0 446.4 429.3 1.69 3.73 65.3 51.8 91 101 22.3 28.0 61.6 

102 70 10.3 451.3 433.7 1.70 3.74 65.3 51.8 91 101 22.4 28.3 62.3 

103 70 10.5 456.2 438.1 1.70 3.74 65.4 51.9 91 102 22.4 28.6 63.0 

104 70 10.7 461.1 442.4 1.70 3.74 65.4 51.9 90 102 22.5 28.9 63.8 

105 70 11.0 466.0 446.8 1.70 3.74 65.4 51.9 90 102 22.5 29.2 64.5 

106 69 11.2 470.9 451.1 1.70 3.74 65.4 51.9 90 102 22.6 29.5 65.2 

107 69 11.5 475.7 455.4 1.70 3.74 65.5 52.0 90 103 22.6 29.9 65.9 

108 68 11.7 480.4 459.6 1.70 3.74 65.5 52.0 90 103 22.7 30.2 66.5 

109 68 12.0 485.2 463.7 1.70 3.74 65.6 52.1 89 103 22.7 30.5 67.2 

110 67 12.3 489.9 467.9 1.70 3.75 65.6 52.1 89 103 22.8 30.8 67.9 










100 

5.0 

95 

4.8 

90 

4.6 

4.4 

85 

4.2 

80 

4.0 

75 

3.8 

70 

65 


3.6 

3.4 

3.2 

60 

3.0 

55 

2.8 

50 

2.6 

2.4 

45 

2.2 

40 

2.0 

35 


1.8 

30 

1.6 

1.4 

25 

1.2 

20 

1.0 

15 

0.8 

10 

0.6 

0.4 

5 

Mortality (%) 

0.2 

0 

0.0 

15 20 25 30 35 40 45 50 55 60 65 70 75 80 85 90 95 100 105 110 


Age (weeks) 






Kilograms




Capabilities of the Hy-Line Silver Brown 






















Shell Color Uniform, Dark Brown 







Feather Color White 


Temperament Very calm, adapts well to any management 







Target Weights of Hy-Line Silver Brown Pullets 



Weeks g lb 

1 70 0.15 

2 115 0.25 

3 190 0.42 

4 290 0.64 

5 380 0.84 

6 480 1.06 

7 590 1.30 

8 690 1.52 

9 790 1.74 

10 890 1.96 

11 990 2.18 

12 1080 2.38 

13 1160 2.56 

14 1250 2.76 

15 1340 2.95 

16 1410 3.11 

17** 1480 3.26 

18 1550 3.42 

19 1630 3.59 











Growing Period Feed Consumption*—Silver Brown 





1 13 2.87 91 0.20 

2 20 4.41 231 0.51 

3 25 5.51 406 0.90 

4 29 6.39 609 1.34 

5 33 7.28 840 1.85 

6 37 8.16 1099 2.42 

7 41 9.04 1386 3.06 

8 46 10.14 1708 3.77 

9 51 11.24 2065 4.55 

10 56 12.35 2457 5.42 

11 61 13.45 2884 6.36 

12 66 14.55 3346 7.38 

13 70 15.43 3836 8.46 

14 73 16.09 4347 9.58 

15 75 16.53 4872 10.74 

16 77 16.98 5411 11.93 

17 80 17.64 5971 13.16 









Water Consumption for Hy-Line Silver Brown Pullets and Layers 




1 

2 

3 

4 

5 

6 

7 

8 

9 

10–15 

16–20 

21–25* 

Over 25* 


0.8–1.1 0.20–0.30 

1.1–1.9 0.30–0.50 

1.7–2.7 0.45–0.70 

2.5–3.8 0.65–1.00 

3.4–4.7 0.90–1.25 

4.5–5.7 1.20–1.50 

5.7–6.8 1.50–1.80 

6.1–8.0 1.60–2.10 

6.4–9.5 1.70–2.50 

6.8–10.2 1.80–2.70 

7.2–15.2 1.90–4.00 

9.9–18.2 2.60–4.80 

15.2–20.8 4.00–5.50 








Age 

in Weeks 

% 

Hen-Day 

% 

Mortality 


Hen-Day 

Eggs 


Hen-Housed 



Average 

Egg Weight* 

Net lb/30 

doz case 

Feed 

Consumption 

g/day 

per bird 

lb/day per 




Hen-Housed 


Haugh 

Units 

Shell 

Thickness 

(mm) 

18 1 0.1 0.07 0.1 1.55 3.42 - - - - - - - - - 

19 12 0.1 0.91 0.9 1.63 3.59 44.1 35.0 - - 0.0 0.1 99.2 0.352 1.088 

20 28 0.2 2.87 2.9 1.71 3.77 45.1 35.8 89 19.6 0.1 0.3 98.7 0.352 1.088 

21 54 0.2 6.65 6.6 1.76 3.88 46.3 36.7 95 20.9 0.3 0.7 98.2 0.352 1.088 

22 79 0.3 12.18 12.2 1.80 3.97 49.0 38.9 98 21.6 0.6 1.3 97.7 0.352 1.088 

23 91 0.3 18.55 18.5 1.84 4.06 51.5 40.9 102 22.5 0.9 2.0 97.3 0.352 1.088 

24 94 0.4 25.13 25.1 1.88 4.15 53.7 42.6 105 23.1 1.3 2.8 96.8 0.352 1.088 

25 94 0.4 31.71 31.6 1.92 4.23 55.5 44.0 108 23.8 1.6 3.6 96.4 0.352 1.088 

26 94 0.5 38.29 38.2 1.96 4.32 57.1 45.3 111 24.5 2.0 4.4 95.9 0.351 1.088 

27 95 0.5 44.94 44.8 1.99 4.39 57.7 45.8 114 25.1 2.4 5.2 95.5 0.351 1.087 

28 95 0.6 51.59 51.4 2.02 4.45 58.3 46.3 116 25.6 2.8 6.1 95.0 0.351 1.087 

29 95 0.6 58.24 58.0 2.05 4.52 58.7 46.6 118 26.0 3.2 7.0 94.6 0.351 1.087 

30 95 0.7 64.89 64.6 2.08 4.59 58.9 46.7 119 26.2 3.5 7.8 94.1 0.351 1.087 

31 94 0.7 71.47 71.1 2.10 4.63 59.2 47.0 120 26.5 3.9 8.7 93.7 0.351 1.087 

32 94 0.8 78.05 77.7 2.12 4.67 59.5 47.2 121 26.7 4.3 9.5 93.2 0.351 1.087 

33 94 0.8 84.63 84.2 2.14 4.72 59.8 47.5 121 26.7 4.7 10.4 92.7 0.351 1.087 

34 94 0.9 91.21 90.7 2.16 4.76 60.0 47.6 121 26.7 5.1 11.3 92.3 0.351 1.086 

35 94 0.9 97.79 97.3 2.17 4.79 60.3 47.9 121 26.7 5.5 12.2 91.8 0.351 1.086 

36 94 1.0 104.37 103.8 2.19 4.82 60.6 48.1 121 26.7 5.9 13.0 91.4 0.351 1.086 

37 94 1.0 110.95 110.3 2.21 4.86 60.8 48.3 121 26.7 6.3 13.9 90.9 0.351 1.086 

38 93 1.1 117.46 116.7 2.22 4.89 61.0 48.4 121 26.7 6.7 14.8 90.5 0.351 1.086 

39 93 1.1 123.97 123.2 2.23 4.91 61.2 48.6 121 26.7 7.1 15.7 90.0 0.351 1.086 

40 93 1.2 130.48 129.6 2.24 4.93 61.3 48.7 121 26.7 7.5 16.6 89.6 0.351 1.086 

41 92 1.2 136.92 136.0 2.25 4.96 61.4 48.7 121 26.7 7.9 17.4 89.1 0.351 1.086 

42 92 1.3 143.36 142.3 2.26 4.98 61.5 48.8 121 26.7 8.3 18.3 88.7 0.350 1.085 

43 92 1.4 149.80 148.7 2.27 5.00 61.5 48.8 121 26.7 8.7 19.2 88.2 0.350 1.085 

44 91 1.4 156.17 154.9 2.28 5.02 61.6 48.9 120 26.5 9.1 20.0 87.7 0.350 1.085 

45 91 1.5 162.54 161.2 2.28 5.03 61.7 49.0 120 26.5 9.5 20.9 87.3 0.350 1.085 

46 91 1.5 168.91 167.5 2.29 5.04 61.8 49.0 120 26.5 9.9 21.8 86.8 0.350 1.085 

47 90 1.6 175.21 173.7 2.29 5.05 61.9 49.1 120 26.5 10.3 22.6 86.4 0.350 1.085 

48 90 1.7 181.51 179.9 2.30 5.06 62.0 49.2 120 26.5 10.7 23.5 85.9 0.350 1.085 

49 89 1.7 187.74 186.0 2.30 5.06 62.1 49.3 120 26.5 11.0 24.3 85.5 0.350 1.085 

50 89 1.8 193.97 192.1 2.30 5.06 62.2 49.4 120 26.5 11.4 25.2 85.0 0.350 1.084 

51 88 1.8 200.13 198.2 2.30 5.07 62.2 49.4 120 26.5 11.8 26.0 84.6 0.350 1.084 

52 88 1.9 206.29 204.2 2.30 5.07 62.3 49.4 120 26.5 12.2 26.9 84.1 0.350 1.084 

53 87 2.0 212.38 210.2 2.30 5.07 62.4 49.5 120 26.5 12.6 27.7 83.7 0.350 1.084 

54 87 2.0 218.47 216.2 2.31 5.08 62.5 49.6 120 26.5 13.0 28.6 83.2 0.350 1.084 

55 86 2.1 224.49 222.0 2.31 5.08 62.6 49.7 119 26.2 13.3 29.4 82.7 0.350 1.084 

56 86 2.2 230.51 227.9 2.31 5.08 62.6 49.7 120 26.5 13.7 30.2 82.3 0.350 1.084 

57 86 2.3 236.53 233.8 2.31 5.08 62.7 49.8 120 26.5 14.1 31.1 81.8 0.349 1.083 

58 85 2.4 242.48 239.6 2.31 5.09 62.8 49.8 120 26.5 14.5 31.9 81.4 0.349 1.083 

59 85 2.4 248.43 245.4 2.31 5.09 62.9 49.9 120 26.5 14.8 32.7 80.9 0.349 1.083 





Specifi c 

Gravity 



Age 

in Weeks 

% 

Hen-Day 

% 

Mortality 

Hen-Day 

Eggs 


Hen-Housed 



Average 

Egg Weight* 


Feed 

Consumption 



Hen-Housed 







Net lb/30 

doz case 

g/day 

per bird 

lb/day per 


Haugh 

Units 

Shell 

Thickness 

(mm) 

60 84 2.5 254.31 251.2 2.31 5.09 63.0 50.0 120 26.5 15.2 33.5 80.5 0.349 1.083 

61 84 2.6 260.19 256.9 2.31 5.09 63.1 50.1 120 26.5 15.6 34.3 80.0 0.349 1.083 

62 83 2.8 266.00 262.5 2.31 5.09 63.2 50.2 120 26.5 15.9 35.2 79.6 0.349 1.083 

63 83 2.9 271.81 268.2 2.31 5.09 63.2 50.2 120 26.5 16.3 36.0 79.1 0.349 1.083 

64 82 3.0 277.55 273.8 2.31 5.09 63.2 50.2 120 26.5 16.7 36.8 78.7 0.349 1.083 

65 82 3.1 283.29 279.3 2.31 5.09 63.3 50.2 120 26.5 17.0 37.6 78.2 0.349 1.082 

66 81 3.2 288.96 284.8 2.31 5.09 63.4 50.3 120 26.5 17.4 38.4 77.7 0.349 1.082 

67 81 3.4 294.63 290.3 2.31 5.09 63.4 50.3 118 26.0 17.8 39.2 77.3 0.349 1.082 

68 80 3.5 300.23 295.7 2.31 5.09 63.4 50.3 118 26.0 18.1 39.9 76.8 0.349 1.082 

69 79 3.6 305.76 301.0 2.31 5.09 63.4 50.3 118 26.0 18.5 40.7 76.4 0.349 1.082 

70 79 3.7 311.29 306.3 2.31 5.09 63.4 50.3 118 26.0 18.8 41.5 75.9 0.349 1.082 

71 78 3.9 316.75 311.6 2.31 5.09 63.5 50.4 118 26.0 19.2 42.2 75.5 0.349 1.082 

72 77 4.0 322.14 316.8 2.31 5.09 63.5 50.4 118 26.0 19.5 43.0 75.0 0.349 1.081 

73 76 4.1 327.46 321.9 2.31 5.09 63.5 50.4 118 26.0 19.8 43.7 74.6 0.348 1.081 

74 75 4.3 332.71 326.9 2.31 5.09 63.5 50.4 118 26.0 20.2 44.5 74.1 0.348 1.081 

75 74 4.4 337.89 331.8 2.31 5.09 63.6 50.5 117 25.8 20.5 45.2 73.7 0.348 1.081 

76 73 4.5 343.00 336.7 2.31 5.09 63.6 50.5 117 25.8 20.8 45.9 73.2 0.348 1.081 

77 72 4.7 348.04 341.5 2.31 5.09 63.6 50.5 117 25.8 21.1 46.6 72.7 0.348 1.081 

78 71 4.8 353.01 346.3 2.31 5.09 63.6 50.5 117 25.8 21.5 47.3 72.3 0.348 1.081 

79 70 4.9 357.91 350.9 2.31 5.09 63.7 50.6 117 25.8 21.8 48.0 71.8 0.348 1.081 

80 69 5.0 362.74 355.5 2.31 5.09 63.7 50.6 117 25.8 22.1 48.7 71.4 0.348 1.080 

Specifi c 

Gravity



100 

95 

90 

85 

80 

75 

70 

65 

60 

55 

50 

45 

40 

35 

30 

25 

20 





15 

0.8 

10 

0.6 

0.4 

5 

Mortality (%) 

0.2 

0 

0.0 

15 20 25 30 35 40 45 50 55 60 65 70 75 80 

Age (weeks) 







5.0 

4.8 

4.6 

4.4 

4.2 

4.0 

3.8 

3.6 

3.4 

3.2 

3.0 

2.8 

2.6 

2.4 

2.2 

2.0 

1.8 

1.6 

1.4 

1.2 

1.0 

Kilograms


Age in 

Weeks 

Average 


Egg Size Distribution—South African Standards 

Jumbo 

Over 66 g 

Extra Large 

59–66 g 

Large 

51–59 g 



Medium 

43–51 g 

20 45.1 0.0 0.1 9.9 57.6 32.4 

22 49.0 0.0 1.8 32.0 55.6 10.6 

24 53.7 0.8 14.1 55.2 28.0 1.8 

26 57.1 4.7 31.3 51.5 12.1 0.4 

28 58.3 7.3 37.4 46.8 8.2 0.2 

30 58.9 8.6 40.6 44.3 6.3 0.1 

32 59.5 9.7 44.3 41.6 4.4 0.1 

34 60.0 11.0 47.1 38.6 3.3 0.0 

36 60.6 13.5 49.3 34.7 2.5 0.0 

38 61.0 14.9 51.4 32.1 1.7 0.0 

40 61.3 16.4 52.0 30.0 1.6 0.0 

42 61.5 17.1 52.3 28.9 1.6 0.0 

44 61.6 18.5 51.9 28.2 1.5 0.0 

46 61.8 19.6 51.5 27.4 1.5 0.0 

48 62.0 21.2 51.2 26.1 1.4 0.0 

50 62.2 22.6 51.1 25.0 1.3 0.0 

52 62.3 23.5 51.0 24.3 1.3 0.0 

54 62.5 24.6 50.8 23.4 1.2 0.0 

56 62.6 25.7 50.0 23.2 1.2 0.0 

58 62.8 26.9 49.8 22.1 1.2 0.0 

60 63.0 28.6 48.9 21.3 1.1 0.0 

62 63.2 29.9 48.7 20.3 1.1 0.0 

64 63.2 29.9 48.7 20.3 1.1 0.0 

66 63.4 31.5 47.7 19.7 1.1 0.0 

68 63.4 31.5 47.7 19.7 1.1 0.0 

70 63.4 31.9 47.3 19.6 1.1 0.0 

72 63.5 32.5 46.9 19.5 1.1 0.0 

74 63.5 32.5 46.9 19.5 1.1 0.0 

76 63.6 33.4 46.0 19.4 1.1 0.0 

78 63.6 33.4 46.0 19.4 1.1 0.0 

80 63.7 34.3 45.2 19.3 1.1 0.0 

Small 

33–43 g 









Capabilities of the Hy-Line Gray 


Feed Consumed 6.0 kg 



Percent Peak 94% 





















Average Daily Feed Consumption (19–80 weeks) 108 g/day per bird 







Feather Color White with Buff Spotting 










Target Weights of Hy-Line Gray Pullets 



Weeks g lb 

1 70 0.15 

2 115 0.25 

3 190 0.42 

4 280 0.62 

5 380 0.84 

6 490 1.08 

7 590 1.30 

8 710 1.57 

9 810 1.79 

10 920 2.03 

11 1020 2.25 

12 1120 2.47 

13 1190 2.62 

14 1260 2.78 

15 1330 2.93 

16 1400 3.09 

17** 1460 3.22 

18 1520 3.35 











Growing Period Feed Consumption*—Gray 




weeks g/day per bird kcal/day per bird g to date kcal to date 

1 13 37 91 259 

2 20 57 231 658 

3 25 72 406 1162 

4 29 83 609 1743 

5 33 95 840 2408 

6 37 106 1099 3150 

7 41 114 1386 3948 

8 46 128 1708 4844 

9 51 141 2065 5831 

10 56 155 2457 6916 

11 61 169 2884 8099 

12 66 183 3346 9380 

13 70 189 3836 10703 

14 73 197 4347 12082 

15 75 203 4872 13503 

16 77 212 5411 14987 

17 78 220 5957 16527 









Water Consumption for Hy-Line Gray Pullets and Layers 




1 

2 

3 

4 

5 

6 

7 

8 

9 

10–15 

16–20 

21–25* 

Over 25* 


0.8–1.1 0.20–0.30 

1.1–1.9 0.30–0.50 

1.7–2.7 0.45–0.70 

2.5–3.8 0.65–1.00 

3.4–4.7 0.90–1.25 

4.5–5.7 1.20–1.50 

5.7–6.8 1.50–1.80 

6.1–8.0 1.60–2.10 

6.4–9.5 1.70–2.50 

6.8–10.2 1.80–2.70 

7.2–15.2 1.90–4.00 

9.9–18.2 2.60–4.80 

15.2–20.8 4.00–5.50 








Age 

in Weeks 

% 

Hen-Day 


% 

Mortality 

Hen-Day 

Eggs 


Hen-Housed 

Eggs 


Egg Weight* 

Feed 

Consumption 

Hen-Housed 

Egg Mass Cum. 


Haugh 

Units 



Egg Quality 

Shell 

Thickness 

(mm) 


19 6 0.1 0.40 0.4 1.51 43.0 81 0.0 100.6 0.349 1.088 

20 20 0.1 1.8 1.8 1.61 46.0 85 0.1 100.1 0.349 1.088 

21 46 0.1 5.0 5.0 1.69 49.0 90 0.2 99.7 0.348 1.088 

22 69 0.2 9.8 9.8 1.73 51.0 95 0.5 99.2 0.348 1.088 

23 83 0.2 15.7 15.6 1.75 54.0 98 0.8 98.8 0.348 1.087 

24 89 0.3 21.9 21.9 1.76 55.0 100 1.1 98.4 0.348 1.087 

25 92 0.3 28.4 28.3 1.78 56.0 102 1.5 98.0 0.348 1.087 

26 93 0.4 34.9 34.8 1.79 57.0 104 1.9 97.6 0.348 1.087 

27 94 0.4 41.5 41.3 1.80 58.0 106 2.3 97.2 0.347 1.087 

28 94 0.5 48.1 47.9 1.82 59.0 107 2.6 96.8 0.347 1.087 

29 94 0.5 54.6 54.5 1.83 60.0 108 3.0 96.4 0.347 1.087 

30 94 0.6 61.2 61.0 1.84 60.0 108 3.4 96.0 0.347 1.086 

31 94 0.6 67.8 67.5 1.85 61.0 109 3.8 95.6 0.347 1.086 

32 94 0.7 74.4 74.1 1.86 61.0 109 4.2 95.2 0.347 1.086 

33 94 0.7 80.9 80.6 1.87 61.0 109 4.6 94.8 0.347 1.086 

34 94 0.8 87.5 87.1 1.87 62.0 109 5.0 94.5 0.347 1.086 

35 93 0.8 94.0 93.5 1.88 62.0 110 5.4 94.1 0.347 1.086 

36 93 0.9 100.5 100.0 1.88 62.0 110 5.9 93.7 0.347 1.086 

37 93 0.9 107.0 106.4 1.88 63.0 110 6.3 93.3 0.346 1.086 

38 93 1.0 113.5 112.9 1.89 63.0 110 6.7 93.0 0.346 1.085 

39 92 1.0 120.0 119.2 1.89 63.0 110 7.1 92.6 0.346 1.085 

40 92 1.1 126.4 125.6 1.89 63.0 110 7.5 92.2 0.346 1.085 

41 92 1.2 132.8 132.0 1.89 63.0 110 7.9 91.8 0.346 1.085 

42 91 1.2 139.2 138.3 1.89 64.0 110 8.3 91.5 0.345 1.085 

43 91 1.3 145.5 144.5 1.89 64.0 110 8.7 91.1 0.345 1.085 

44 90 1.3 151.8 150.8 1.90 64.0 110 9.1 90.7 0.345 1.085 

45 89 1.4 158.1 156.9 1.90 64.0 110 9.5 90.4 0.345 1.084 

46 89 1.4 164.3 163.1 1.90 64.0 110 9.9 90.0 0.345 1.084 

47 88 1.5 170.5 169.2 1.90 64.0 110 10.3 89.7 0.345 1.084 

48 88 1.6 176.7 175.2 1.90 64.0 110 10.7 89.4 0.345 1.084 

49 88 1.6 182.8 181.3 1.90 64.0 110 11.1 89.0 0.345 1.084 

50 87 1.7 188.9 187.2 1.90 64.0 110 11.5 88.7 0.345 1.084 

51 86 1.8 195.0 193.2 1.90 65.0 110 11.9 88.4 0.345 1.084 

52 86 1.9 201.0 199.1 1.90 65.0 110 12.3 88.1 0.344 1.083 

53 85 1.9 206.9 204.9 1.90 65.0 110 12.7 87.8 0.344 1.083 

54 85 2.0 212.9 210.8 1.91 65.0 110 13.0 87.4 0.344 1.083 

55 84 2.1 218.8 216.5 1.91 65.0 110 13.4 87.1 0.344 1.083 

56 84 2.1 224.6 222.2 1.91 65.0 110 13.8 86.9 0.344 1.083 

57 83 2.2 230.4 227.9 1.91 65.0 110 14.2 86.5 0.343 1.083 

58 83 2.3 236.2 233.6 1.91 65.0 110 14.6 86.3 0.343 1.083 

59 82 2.3 241.9 239.2 1.91 65.0 110 14.9 86.0 0.343 1.083 

60 82 2.4 247.6 244.7 1.91 65.0 110 15.3 85.7 0.343 1.082 







Age 

in Weeks 

% 

Hen-Day 

% 

Mortality 

Hen-Day 

Eggs 


Hen-Housed 

Eggs 


Egg Weight* 

Feed 

Consumption 

Hen-Housed 

Egg Mass Cum. 




80 70 4.5 353.3 346.8 1.92 67.3 110 22.3 80.8 0.341 1.080 







Haugh 

Units 

Egg Quality 

Shell 

Thickness 

(mm) 


61 81 2.5 253.3 250.3 1.91 65.0 110 15.7 85.4 0.343 1.082 

62 81 2.6 258.9 255.7 1.91 65.0 110 16.0 85.2 0.343 1.082 

63 80 2.7 264.5 261.2 1.91 65.0 110 16.4 84.9 0.343 1.082 

64 79 2.7 270.1 266.6 1.91 65.0 110 16.8 84.7 0.343 1.082 

65 79 2.8 275.6 272.0 1.91 65.0 110 17.1 84.4 0.343 1.082 

66 78 2.9 281.1 277.3 1.91 66.0 110 17.5 84.1 0.343 1.082 

67 78 3.0 286.5 282.5 1.92 66.0 110 17.8 83.8 0.342 1.081 

68 77 3.1 291.9 287.8 1.92 66.0 110 18.2 83.5 0.342 1.081 

69 76 3.2 297.2 292.9 1.92 66.0 110 18.5 83.3 0.342 1.081 

70 76 3.3 302.6 298.1 1.92 66.0 110 18.9 83.0 0.342 1.081 

71 75 3.4 307.8 303.2 1.92 66.2 110 19.2 82.8 0.342 1.081 

72 75 3.5 313.0 308.2 1.92 66.3 110 19.6 82.6 0.342 1.081 

73 74 3.6 318.2 313.2 1.92 66.5 110 19.9 82.4 0.341 1.081 

74 73 3.8 323.4 318.1 1.92 66.6 110 20.3 82.1 0.341 1.080 

75 73 3.9 328.5 323.0 1.92 66.7 110 20.6 81.9 0.341 1.080 

76 72 4.0 333.5 327.9 1.92 66.8 110 21.0 81.7 0.341 1.080 

77 72 4.1 338.5 332.7 1.92 66.9 110 21.3 81.4 0.341 1.080 

78 71 4.2 343.5 337.4 1.92 67.1 110 21.6 81.2 0.341 1.080 

79 70 4.4 348.4 342.2 1.92 67.2 110 22.0 81.0 0.341 1.080



100 

95 

90 

85 

80 

75 

70 

65 

60 

55 

50 

45 

40 

35 

30 

25 

20 





15 

0.8 

10 

0.6 

0.4 

5 

Mortality (%) 

0.2 

0 

0.0 

15 20 25 30 35 40 45 50 55 60 65 70 75 80 

Age (weeks) 







5.0 

4.8 

4.6 

4.4 

4.2 

4.0 

3.8 

3.6 

3.4 

3.2 

3.0 

2.8 

2.6 

2.4 

2.2 

2.0 

1.8 

1.6 

1.4 

1.2 

1.0 

Kilograms


Age in 

Weeks 

Average 



Very Large 

Over 73 g 

Large 

63–73 g 

Medium 

53–63 g 



Small 

43–53 g 

22 51.0 0.00 0.62 33.23 61.37 

24 55.0 0.02 5.82 59.42 33.82 

26 57.0 0.13 12.75 64.60 22.11 

28 59.0 0.41 22.11 64.60 12.75 

30 60.0 0.62 27.58 62.89 8.86 

32 61.0 0.82 33.64 60.06 5.46 

34 62.0 1.24 40.68 54.77 3.31 

36 62.0 1.24 40.68 54.77 3.31 

38 63.0 1.86 48.14 48.14 1.86 

40 63.0 1.86 48.14 48.14 1.86 

42 64.0 3.04 50.21 45.01 1.74 

44 64.0 3.31 54.12 41.14 1.43 

46 64.0 3.31 54.12 41.14 1.43 

48 64.0 3.59 54.33 40.68 1.39 

50 64.0 3.59 54.33 40.68 1.39 

52 65.0 5.84 57.42 35.62 1.12 

54 65.0 5.84 57.42 35.62 1.12 

56 65.0 6.20 57.78 34.97 1.05 

58 65.0 6.20 57.78 34.97 1.05 

60 65.0 6.56 57.78 34.61 1.05 

62 65.0 6.56 57.78 34.61 1.05 

64 65.0 6.56 57.78 34.61 1.05 

66 66.0 9.74 60.90 28.56 0.80 

68 66.0 9.74 60.90 28.56 0.80 

70 66.0 10.16 60.48 28.56 0.80 

72 66.3 11.16 61.42 26.65 0.78 

74 66.6 12.23 61.42 25.64 0.71 

76 66.8 13.41 61.31 24.59 0.69 

78 67.1 14.60 61.24 23.49 0.67 

80 67.3 15.87 61.20 22.31 0.63 







Age in 

Weeks 

Average 


Egg Size Distribution—Japanese Standards 

Over 

76 g 

LL 

70–76 g 

L 

64–70 g 

M 

58–64 g 

MS 

52–58 g 

S 

46–52 g 

SS 

40–46 g 


20 46.0 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.45 9.15 40.39 40.39 9.61 

22 51.0 0.00 0.00 0.33 6.90 34.51 43.37 13.78 1.10 

24 55.0 0.00 0.16 3.72 23.94 44.36 23.94 3.72 0.16 

26 57.0 0.02 0.69 8.62 33.19 40.21 15.38 1.83 0.07 

28 59.0 0.07 1.83 15.38 40.21 33.19 8.62 0.69 0.02 

30 60.0 0.10 2.62 19.36 42.89 28.83 5.84 0.35 0.01 

32 61.0 0.16 3.46 23.83 45.15 23.81 3.46 0.13 0.00 

34 62.0 0.21 4.91 29.03 45.13 18.65 2.01 0.05 0.00 

36 62.0 0.21 4.91 29.03 45.13 18.65 2.01 0.05 0.00 

38 63.0 0.34 6.54 34.51 43.37 14.15 1.08 0.02 0.00 

40 63.0 0.34 6.90 34.51 43.37 13.78 1.08 0.02 0.00 

42 64.0 0.62 9.94 38.96 39.44 10.22 0.80 0.02 0.00 

44 64.0 0.72 10.32 38.96 38.96 10.22 0.80 0.02 0.00 

46 64.0 0.72 10.32 38.96 38.96 10.22 0.80 0.02 0.00 

48 64.0 0.82 10.69 38.96 38.49 10.22 0.80 0.02 0.00 

50 64.0 0.82 10.69 38.96 38.49 10.22 0.80 0.02 0.00 

52 65.0 1.55 14.79 41.43 33.73 7.95 0.53 0.01 0.00 

54 65.0 1.55 14.79 41.43 33.73 7.95 0.53 0.01 0.00 

56 65.0 1.72 15.09 40.81 33.54 8.29 0.53 0.01 0.00 

58 65.0 1.72 15.09 40.81 33.54 8.29 0.53 0.01 0.00 

60 65.0 1.90 15.38 40.21 33.25 8.72 0.53 0.01 0.00 

62 65.0 1.90 15.38 40.21 33.25 8.72 0.53 0.01 0.00 

64 65.0 1.90 15.38 40.21 33.25 8.72 0.53 0.01 0.00 

66 66.0 3.20 19.74 41.50 28.63 6.45 0.47 0.01 0.00 

68 66.0 3.20 19.74 41.50 28.63 6.45 0.47 0.01 0.00 

70 66.0 3.45 19.90 41.20 28.52 6.45 0.47 0.01 0.00 

72 66.3 3.89 21.17 41.06 27.23 6.18 0.45 0.01 0.00 

74 66.6 4.37 22.45 41.06 25.93 5.78 0.40 0.01 0.00 

76 66.8 5.02 23.36 40.73 25.05 5.42 0.40 0.01 0.00 

78 67.1 5.60 24.63 40.73 23.79 4.90 0.34 0.01 0.00 

80 67.3 6.35 25.44 40.16 22.99 4.73 0.32 0.01 0.00 






Under 

40 g








































Body Weight 



1 65 0.14 65 0.14 

2 110 0.24 120 0.26 

3 175 0.39 180 0.40 

4 230 0.51 260 0.57 

5 300 0.66 375 0.83 

6 400 0.88 495 1.09 

7 480 1.06 635 1.40 

8 550 1.21 730 1.61 

9 650 1.43 840 1.85 

10 715 1.58 945 2.08 

11 780 1.72 1040 2.29 

12 860 1.90 1110 2.45 

13 900 1.98 1200 2.65 

14 970 2.14 1280 2.82 

15 1030 2.27 1370 3.02 

16 1100 2.43 1435 3.16 

17 1170 2.58 1490 3.28 

18 1200 2.65 1560 3.44 







Age 

in 

Weeks 

Age 

in 

Weeks 

g/day 

per 

bird 

g/day 

per 

bird 



lb/day 

per 

100 birds 

lb/day 

per 

100 birds 




g/day lb/day 

Cumulative 

in 

per 

per 

kg lb Weeks 


1 13 2.9 0.09 0.2 10 51 11.2 2.41 5.3 

2 16 3.5 0.20 0.4 11 53 11.7 2.78 6.1 

3 19 4.2 0.34 0.7 12 54 11.9 3.16 7.0 

4 29 6.4 0.54 1.2 13 56 12.3 3.55 7.8 

5 38 8.4 0.81 1.8 14 57 12.6 3.95 8.7 

6 41 9.0 1.09 2.4 15 59 13.0 4.36 9.6 

7 43 9.5 1.39 3.1 16 64 14.1 4.81 10.6 

8 46 10.1 1.72 3.8 17 71 15.7 5.31 11.7 

9 48 10.6 2.05 4.5 18 78 17.2 5.85 12.9 



g/day lb/day 

Cumulative 

in 

per 

per 

kg lb Weeks 


19 84 18.5 0.59 1.3 43 102 22.5 17.00 37.5 

20 86 19.0 1.19 2.6 44 102 22.5 17.72 39.1 

21 86 19.0 1.79 4.0 45 102 22.5 18.43 40.6 

22 90 19.8 2.42 5.3 46 102 22.5 19.15 42.2 

23 91 20.1 3.06 6.7 47 102 22.5 19.86 43.8 

24 95 20.9 3.72 8.2 48 102 22.5 20.57 45.4 

25 95 20.9 4.39 9.7 49 102 22.5 21.29 46.9 

26 95 20.9 5.05 11.1 50 102 22.5 22.00 48.5 

27 95 20.9 5.72 12.6 51 103 22.7 22.72 50.1 

28 100 22.0 6.42 14.2 52 103 22.7 23.44 51.7 

29 100 22.0 7.12 15.7 53 103 22.7 24.16 53.3 

30 100 22.0 7.82 17.2 54 103 22.7 24.89 54.9 

31 100 22.0 8.52 18.8 55 103 22.7 25.61 56.5 

32 100 22.0 9.22 20.3 56 103 22.7 26.33 58.1 

33 100 22.0 9.92 21.9 57 103 22.7 27.05 59.6 

34 101 22.3 10.63 23.4 58 103 22.7 27.77 61.2 

35 101 22.3 11.33 25.0 59 104 22.9 28.50 62.8 

36 101 22.3 12.04 26.5 60 104 22.9 29.23 64.4 

37 101 22.3 12.75 28.1 61 104 22.9 29.95 66.0 

38 101 22.3 13.45 29.7 62 104 22.9 30.68 67.7 

39 101 22.3 14.16 31.2 63 105 23.1 31.42 69.3 

40 101 22.3 14.87 32.8 64 105 23.1 32.15 70.9 

41 101 22.3 15.58 34.3 65 105 23.1 32.89 72.5 

42 102 22.5 16.29 35.9 












1 

2 

3 

4 

5 

6 

7 

8 

9 

10–15 

16–20 

21–25* 

Over 25* 


0.8–1.1 0.20–0.30 

1.1–1.9 0.30–0.50 

1.7–2.7 0.45–0.70 

2.5–3.8 0.65–1.00 

3.4–4.7 0.90–1.25 

4.5–5.7 1.20–1.50 

5.7–6.8 1.50–1.80 

6.1–8.0 1.60–2.10 

6.4–9.5 1.70–2.50 

6.8–10.2 1.80–2.70 

7.2–15.2 1.90–4.00 

9.9–18.2 2.60–4.80 

15.2–20.8 4.00–5.50 







Age 

in Weeks 

% 

Hen-Day 

Female % 

Mortality 

Male % 

Mortality 


Hy-Line W-36 Parent Performance Projection 

Number 

Hen-Day Eggs 

Number 


Female 

Body Weight 

Average 

Egg Weight* 


doz. case 

% 

Settable 





% 

Hatch 

Number 

Female Chicks 


19 22 0.1 0.2 1.5 1.5 1.5 1.5 1.23 2.71 42.9 34.0 – – – – – – 

20 43 0.2 0.5 3.0 4.6 3.0 4.5 1.27 2.80 45.5 36.1 – – – – – – 

21 64 0.3 0.7 4.5 9.0 4.5 9.0 1.30 2.87 46.5 36.9 – – – – – – 

22 79 0.3 0.9 5.5 14.6 5.5 14.5 1.35 2.98 48.5 38.5 – – – – – – 

23 87 0.4 1.1 6.1 20.7 6.1 20.6 1.40 3.09 50.3 39.9 – – – – – – 

24 88 0.5 1.2 6.2 26.8 6.1 26.7 1.42 3.13 52.0 41.3 – – – – – – 

25 89 0.5 1.4 6.2 33.0 6.2 32.9 1.44 3.18 53.1 42.1 87 5.3 5.3 85 2.3 2.3 

26 90 0.6 1.6 6.3 39.3 6.3 39.2 1.45 3.20 53.8 42.7 94 5.8 11.2 86 2.5 4.8 

27 91 0.7 1.8 6.4 45.7 6.3 45.5 1.46 3.22 54.3 43.1 95 5.9 17.1 86 2.6 7.3 

28 91 0.8 1.9 6.4 52.1 6.3 51.8 1.47 3.24 55.1 43.7 96 6.1 23.2 87 2.6 10.0 

29 91 0.8 2.1 6.4 58.5 6.3 58.1 1.48 3.26 55.6 44.1 96 6.1 29.3 88 2.7 12.6 

30 90 0.9 2.2 6.3 64.8 6.2 64.4 1.49 3.29 56.1 44.5 97 6.1 35.4 88 2.7 15.3 

31 90 1.0 2.4 6.3 71.1 6.2 70.6 1.49 3.29 56.6 44.9 97 6.1 41.4 88 2.7 18.0 

32 90 1.0 2.6 6.3 77.4 6.2 76.9 1.50 3.31 57.1 45.3 97 6.1 47.5 89 2.7 20.7 

33 89 1.1 2.7 6.2 83.6 6.2 83.0 1.51 3.33 57.4 45.6 97 6.0 53.5 89 2.7 23.4 

34 89 1.2 2.9 6.2 89.8 6.2 89.2 1.51 3.33 57.9 46.0 97 6.0 59.5 88 2.6 26.0 

35 89 1.3 3.0 6.2 96.0 6.2 95.3 1.52 3.35 58.2 46.2 97 6.0 65.5 88 2.6 28.6 

36 88 1.4 3.1 6.2 102.2 6.1 101.4 1.52 3.35 58.4 46.3 97 6.0 71.4 88 2.6 31.3 

37 87 1.5 3.3 6.1 108.3 6.0 107.4 1.52 3.35 59.0 46.8 97 5.9 77.3 88 2.6 33.9 

38 87 1.5 3.4 6.1 114.4 6.0 113.4 1.53 3.37 59.2 47.0 97 5.8 83.2 87 2.5 36.4 

39 86 1.6 3.6 6.0 120.4 5.9 119.3 1.53 3.37 59.4 47.1 97 5.8 89.0 87 2.5 38.9 

40 86 1.7 3.7 6.0 126.4 5.9 125.2 1.53 3.37 59.6 47.3 97 5.7 94.7 87 2.5 41.4 

41 85 1.8 3.8 6.0 132.4 5.8 131.1 1.53 3.37 59.9 47.5 97 5.7 100.5 87 2.5 43.9 

42 85 1.9 3.9 6.0 138.3 5.8 136.9 1.54 3.40 60.1 47.7 97 5.7 106.1 87 2.5 46.4 

43 85 2.0 4.1 6.0 144.3 5.8 142.8 1.54 3.40 60.2 47.8 97 5.7 111.8 87 2.4 48.8 

44 84 2.1 4.2 5.9 150.2 5.8 148.5 1.54 3.40 60.5 48.0 97 5.7 117.4 86 2.4 51.3 

45 84 2.2 4.3 5.9 156.0 5.8 154.3 1.55 3.42 61.0 48.4 97 5.6 123.0 86 2.4 53.7 

46 83 2.3 4.4 5.8 161.8 5.7 159.9 1.55 3.42 61.1 48.5 97 5.6 128.6 86 2.4 56.1 

47 83 2.4 4.5 5.8 167.7 5.7 165.6 1.55 3.42 61.3 48.7 97 5.5 134.1 86 2.4 58.4 

48 82 2.4 4.6 5.7 173.4 5.6 171.2 1.55 3.42 61.3 48.7 97 5.5 139.6 86 2.4 60.8 

49 82 2.5 4.7 5.7 179.1 5.6 176.8 1.55 3.42 61.4 48.7 97 5.4 145.1 86 2.3 63.1 

50 82 2.6 4.8 5.7 184.9 5.6 182.4 1.56 3.44 61.6 48.9 97 5.4 150.5 85 2.3 65.4 

51 81 2.7 4.9 5.7 190.5 5.5 187.9 1.56 3.44 61.8 49.0 97 5.4 155.9 85 2.3 67.7 

52 81 2.8 5.0 5.7 196.2 5.5 193.4 1.56 3.44 61.9 49.1 97 5.3 161.3 85 2.3 70.0 

53 81 2.9 5.1 5.7 201.9 5.5 198.9 1.56 3.44 62.0 49.2 97 5.3 166.6 84 2.2 72.3 

54 80 3.0 5.2 5.6 207.5 5.4 204.4 1.57 3.46 62.1 49.3 97 5.3 171.9 84 2.2 74.5 

55 80 3.1 5.3 5.6 213.1 5.4 209.8 1.57 3.46 62.2 49.4 97 5.3 177.2 84 2.2 76.7 

56 79 3.2 5.4 5.5 218.6 5.4 215.1 1.57 3.46 62.2 49.4 96 5.2 182.4 84 2.2 78.9 

57 79 3.3 5.5 5.5 224.1 5.3 220.5 1.57 3.46 62.3 49.4 96 5.1 187.5 83 2.1 81.0 

58 78 3.4 5.6 5.5 229.6 5.3 225.7 1.58 3.48 62.3 49.4 96 5.1 192.7 83 2.1 83.1 

59 78 3.5 5.7 5.5 235.1 5.3 231.0 1.58 3.48 62.4 49.5 96 5.1 197.7 82 2.1 85.2 

60 78 3.6 5.8 5.5 240.5 5.3 236.3 1.58 3.48 62.4 49.5 96 5.1 202.8 81 2.0 87.3 

61 77 3.8 5.9 5.4 245.9 5.2 241.5 1.58 3.48 62.5 49.6 96 5.1 207.8 80 2.0 89.3 

62 77 3.9 6.0 5.4 251.3 5.2 246.6 1.58 3.48 62.5 49.6 96 5.0 212.8 79 2.0 91.3 

63 77 4.0 6.0 5.4 256.7 5.2 251.8 1.58 3.48 62.7 49.8 96 5.0 217.8 78 2.0 93.2 

64 77 4.1 6.1 5.4 262.1 5.2 257.0 1.59 3.51 62.7 49.8 96 5.0 222.8 78 1.9 95.1 

65 77 4.2 6.2 5.4 267.5 5.2 262.2 1.59 3.51 62.8 49.8 96 5.0 227.7 77 1.9 97.0 




















































Body Weight 



1 65 0.14 60 0.13 

2 110 0.24 120 0.26 

3 175 0.39 180 0.40 

4 240 0.53 260 0.57 

5 310 0.68 380 0.84 

6 400 0.88 490 1.08 

7 485 1.07 625 1.38 

8 570 1.26 730 1.61 

9 630 1.39 830 1.83 

10 730 1.61 960 2.12 

11 820 1.81 1050 2.32 

12 895 1.97 1110 2.45 

13 965 2.13 1190 2.62 

14 1030 2.27 1250 2.76 

15 1080 2.38 1320 2.91 

16 1110 2.45 1380 3.04 

17 1150 2.54 1420 3.13 

18 1210 2.67 1480 3.26 







Age 

in 

Weeks 

Age 

in 

Weeks 

g/day 

per 

bird 

g/day 

per 

bird 



lb/day 

per 

100 birds 


lb/day 

per 

100 birds 




g/day lb/day 

Cumulative 

in 

per 

per 

kg lb Weeks 


1 13 2.9 0.09 0.2 10 54 11.9 2.54 5.6 

2 17 3.7 0.21 0.5 11 56 12.3 2.93 6.5 

3 22 4.9 0.36 0.8 12 57 12.6 3.33 7.3 

4 30 6.6 0.57 1.3 13 59 13.0 3.75 8.3 

5 40 8.8 0.85 1.9 14 62 13.7 4.18 9.2 

6 43 9.5 1.16 2.5 15 66 14.6 4.64 10.2 

7 45 9.9 1.47 3.2 16 71 15.7 5.14 11.3 

8 48 10.6 1.81 4.0 17 77 17.0 5.68 12.5 

9 51 11.2 2.16 4.8 18 83 18.3 6.26 13.8 


g/day lb/day 

Cumulative 

in 

per 

per 

kg lb Weeks 


19 80 17.6 0.56 1.2 43 107 23.6 17.61 38.8 

20 84 18.5 1.15 2.5 44 107 23.6 18.35 40.5 

21 86 19.0 1.75 3.9 45 107 23.6 19.10 42.1 

22 90 19.8 2.38 5.2 46 107 23.6 19.85 43.8 

23 92 20.3 3.02 6.7 47 108 23.8 20.61 45.4 

24 96 21.2 3.70 8.1 48 108 23.8 21.36 47.1 

25 100 22.0 4.40 9.7 49 108 23.8 22.12 48.8 

26 102 22.5 5.11 11.3 50 108 23.8 22.88 50.4 

27 102 22.5 5.82 12.8 51 108 23.8 23.63 52.1 

28 103 22.7 6.55 14.4 52 109 24.0 24.40 53.8 

29 103 22.7 7.27 16.0 53 109 24.0 25.16 55.5 

30 104 22.9 7.99 17.6 54 109 24.0 25.92 57.2 

31 104 22.9 8.72 19.2 55 109 24.0 26.68 58.8 

32 104 22.9 9.45 20.8 56 109 24.0 27.45 60.5 

33 105 23.1 10.19 22.5 57 110 24.3 28.22 62.2 

34 105 23.1 10.92 24.1 58 110 24.3 28.99 63.9 

35 105 23.1 11.66 25.7 59 110 24.3 29.76 65.6 

36 106 23.4 12.40 27.3 60 110 24.3 30.53 67.3 

37 106 23.4 13.14 29.0 61 110 24.3 31.30 69.0 

38 106 23.4 13.88 30.6 62 110 24.3 32.07 70.7 

39 106 23.4 14.62 32.2 63 111 24.5 32.84 72.4 

40 106 23.4 15.37 33.9 64 111 24.5 33.62 74.1 

41 106 23.4 16.11 35.5 65 111 24.5 34.40 75.8 

42 107 23.6 16.86 37.2 












1 

2 

3 

4 

5 

6 

7 

8 

9 

10–15 

16–20 

21–25* 

Over 25* 


0.8–1.1 0.20–0.30 

1.1–1.9 0.30–0.50 

1.7–2.7 0.45–0.70 

2.5–3.8 0.65–1.00 

3.4–4.7 0.90–1.25 

4.5–5.7 1.20–1.50 

5.7–6.8 1.50–1.80 

6.1–8.0 1.60–2.10 

6.4–9.5 1.70–2.50 

6.8–10.2 1.80–2.70 

7.2–15.2 1.90–4.00 

9.9–18.2 2.60–4.80 

15.2–20.8 4.00–5.50 







Age 

in Weeks 

% 

Hen-Day 

Female % 

Mortality 

Male % 

Mortality 


Hy-Line W-98 Parent Stock Performance Projection 

Number 

Hen-Day Eggs 

Number 


Female 

Body Weight 

Average 

Egg Weight* 


doz. case 

% 

Settable 





% 

Hatch 

Number 

Female Chicks 


19 20 0.1 0.3 1.4 1.4 1.4 1.4 1.33 2.93 – – – – – – – – 

20 42 0.3 0.6 2.9 4.3 2.9 4.3 1.38 3.04 44.1 35.0 – – – – – – 

21 60 0.4 0.9 4.2 8.5 4.2 8.5 1.42 3.13 48.3 38.3 – – – – – – 

22 78 0.5 1.2 5.5 14.0 5.4 13.9 1.44 3.18 50.5 40.1 – – – – – – 

23 85 0.6 1.5 6.0 20.0 5.9 19.9 1.48 3.26 51.6 40.9 – – – – – – 

24 90 0.7 1.8 6.3 26.3 6.3 26.1 1.52 3.35 52.1 41.3 76 4.5 4.5 86 1.9 1.9 

25 91 0.8 2.0 6.4 32.6 6.3 32.4 1.56 3.44 53.4 42.4 84 5.3 9.7 87 2.3 4.2 

26 92 0.9 2.3 6.4 39.1 6.4 38.8 1.56 3.44 54.0 42.8 92 5.8 15.6 88 2.6 6.8 

27 92 1.0 2.6 6.4 45.5 6.4 45.2 1.58 3.48 54.2 43.0 96 6.1 21.7 89 2.7 9.5 

28 91 1.1 2.8 6.4 51.9 6.3 51.5 1.58 3.48 55.1 43.7 96 6.1 27.8 90 2.8 12.3 

29 91 1.2 3.1 6.4 58.2 6.3 57.8 1.58 3.48 55.8 44.3 96 6.1 33.9 90 2.7 15.0 

30 91 1.3 3.3 6.4 64.6 6.3 64.1 1.60 3.53 56.1 44.5 97 6.1 40.0 90 2.7 17.7 

31 91 1.4 3.6 6.4 71.0 6.3 70.3 1.60 3.53 56.2 44.6 97 6.1 46.1 90 2.7 20.5 

32 91 1.5 3.8 6.4 77.4 6.3 76.6 1.60 3.53 56.6 44.9 97 6.1 52.2 90 2.7 23.2 

33 91 1.6 4.1 6.4 83.7 6.3 82.9 1.60 3.53 57.1 45.3 97 6.1 58.2 90 2.7 25.9 

34 90 1.7 4.3 6.3 90.0 6.2 89.1 1.60 3.53 57.5 45.6 97 6.1 64.3 91 2.7 28.7 

35 90 1.8 4.5 6.3 96.3 6.2 95.3 1.60 3.53 57.6 45.7 97 6.0 70.3 91 2.7 31.4 

36 90 1.9 4.7 6.3 102.6 6.2 101.5 1.62 3.57 58.0 46.0 97 6.0 76.3 91 2.7 34.2 

37 89 2.0 5.0 6.2 108.9 6.1 107.6 1.62 3.57 58.3 46.3 97 6.0 82.3 91 2.7 36.9 

38 89 2.1 5.2 6.2 115.1 6.1 113.7 1.62 3.57 58.4 46.3 97 5.9 88.3 91 2.7 39.6 

39 88 2.2 5.4 6.2 121.2 6.0 119.7 1.62 3.57 58.8 46.7 97 5.9 94.2 90 2.7 42.3 

40 88 2.3 5.6 6.2 127.4 6.0 125.7 1.62 3.57 59.2 47.0 96 5.8 100.0 90 2.6 44.9 

41 87 2.4 5.8 6.1 133.5 5.9 131.7 1.62 3.57 59.5 47.2 96 5.8 105.7 89 2.6 47.4 

42 87 2.5 6.0 6.1 139.6 5.9 137.6 1.62 3.57 59.7 47.4 96 5.7 111.4 89 2.5 50.0 

43 86 2.6 6.2 6.0 145.6 5.9 143.5 1.63 3.59 60.0 47.6 96 5.7 117.1 89 2.5 52.5 

44 86 2.7 6.4 6.0 151.6 5.9 149.3 1.63 3.59 60.2 47.8 95 5.6 122.7 89 2.5 55.0 

45 85 2.8 6.6 6.0 157.6 5.8 155.1 1.63 3.59 60.3 47.9 95 5.6 128.3 89 2.5 57.5 

46 84 3.0 6.7 5.9 163.5 5.7 160.8 1.63 3.59 60.5 48.0 95 5.5 133.8 88 2.4 59.9 

47 84 3.1 6.9 5.9 169.3 5.7 166.5 1.63 3.59 60.9 48.3 95 5.4 139.2 87 2.4 62.2 

48 83 3.2 7.1 5.8 175.1 5.6 172.1 1.63 3.59 61.0 48.4 95 5.4 144.6 86 2.3 64.6 

49 83 3.3 7.3 5.8 181.0 5.6 177.7 1.63 3.59 61.2 48.6 95 5.3 150.0 86 2.3 66.9 

50 83 3.5 7.5 5.8 186.8 5.6 183.3 1.63 3.59 61.3 48.6 95 5.3 155.3 85 2.3 69.1 

51 82 3.6 7.7 5.7 192.5 5.5 188.9 1.63 3.59 61.4 48.7 95 5.3 160.6 85 2.3 71.4 

52 81 3.8 7.9 5.7 198.2 5.5 194.3 1.63 3.59 61.5 48.8 95 5.3 165.9 85 2.2 73.6 

53 80 3.9 8.1 5.6 203.8 5.4 199.7 1.63 3.59 61.7 49.0 94 5.1 171.0 85 2.2 75.8 

54 80 4.1 8.3 5.6 209.4 5.4 205.1 1.63 3.59 61.9 49.1 94 5.1 176.0 84 2.1 77.9 

55 79 4.2 8.4 5.5 214.9 5.3 210.4 1.64 3.62 62.0 49.2 94 5.1 181.1 83 2.1 80.0 

56 79 4.4 8.6 5.5 220.4 5.3 215.7 1.64 3.62 62.1 49.3 94 5.0 186.1 82 2.0 82.1 

57 78 4.5 8.8 5.5 225.9 5.2 220.9 1.64 3.62 62.2 49.4 94 5.0 191.1 81 2.0 84.1 

58 78 4.7 9.0 5.5 231.4 5.2 226.1 1.64 3.62 62.4 49.5 94 4.9 196.0 80 2.0 86.1 

59 77 4.8 9.2 5.4 236.7 5.1 231.2 1.64 3.62 62.5 49.6 94 4.9 200.9 79 1.9 88.0 

60 77 5.0 9.3 5.4 242.1 5.1 236.4 1.64 3.62 62.6 49.7 94 4.8 205.7 78 1.9 89.9 

61 76 5.2 9.5 5.3 247.5 5.0 241.4 1.64 3.62 62.8 49.8 94 4.8 210.5 77 1.9 91.7 

62 76 5.3 9.7 5.3 252.8 5.0 246.4 1.64 3.62 62.8 49.8 94 4.7 215.2 76 1.8 93.5 

63 76 5.5 9.9 5.3 258.1 5.0 251.5 1.64 3.62 62.9 49.9 93 4.7 219.9 75 1.8 95.3 

64 75 5.7 10.1 5.3 263.3 4.9 256.4 1.64 3.62 62.9 49.9 93 4.7 224.6 75 1.8 97.0 

65 75 5.9 10.2 5.3 268.6 4.9 261.3 1.64 3.62 62.9 49.9 93 4.6 229.2 74 1.7 98.7 















Performance Summary of the Hy-Line Brown Parent 

































Target Weights of Hy-Line Brown Parent Pullets 




Body Weight 



1 65 0.14 70 0.15 

2 115 0.25 140 0.31 

3 175 0.39 200 0.44 

4 255 0.56 330 0.73 

5 340 0.75 450 0.99 

6 440 0.97 590 1.30 

7 540 1.19 730 1.61 

8 640 1.41 900 1.98 

9 735 1.62 1060 2.34 

10 820 1.81 1220 2.69 

11 910 2.01 1370 3.02 

12 990 2.18 1530 3.37 

13 1085 2.39 1690 3.73 

14 1160 2.56 1830 4.03 

15 1230 2.71 1960 4.32 

16 1300 2.87 2060 4.54 

17 1360 3.00 2140 4.72 

18 1440 3.17 2200 4.85 







Age 

in 

Weeks 

Age 

in 

Weeks 

g/day 

per 

bird 

g/day 

per 

bird 


Growing Period Feed Consumption—Brown Parent 

lb/day 

per 

100 birds 

Laying Period Feed Consumption—Brown Parent 

lb/day 

per 

100 birds 




g/day lb/day 

Cumulative 

in 

per 

per 

kg lb Weeks 


1 13 2.9 0.09 0.2 10 56 12.3 2.46 5.4 

2 20 4.4 0.23 0.5 11 61 13.4 2.88 6.4 

3 25 5.5 0.41 0.9 12 66 14.6 3.35 7.4 

4 29 6.4 0.61 1.3 13 70 15.4 3.84 8.5 

5 33 7.3 0.84 1.9 14 73 16.1 4.35 9.6 

6 37 8.2 1.10 2.4 15 75 16.5 4.87 10.7 

7 41 9.0 1.39 3.1 16 77 17.0 5.41 11.9 

8 46 10.1 1.71 3.8 17 80 17.6 5.97 13.2 

9 51 11.2 2.07 4.6 18 83 18.3 6.55 14.4 


g/day lb/day 

Cumulative 

in 

per 

per 

kg lb Weeks 


19 86 19.0 0.60 1.3 43 111 24.5 18.43 40.6 

20 89 19.6 1.23 2.7 44 111 24.5 19.21 42.4 

21 92 20.3 1.87 4.1 45 111 24.5 19.99 44.1 

22 95 20.9 2.53 5.6 46 111 24.5 20.76 45.8 

23 98 21.6 3.22 7.1 47 111 24.5 21.54 47.5 

24 100 22.0 3.92 8.6 48 111 24.5 22.32 49.2 

25 103 22.7 4.64 10.2 49 111 24.5 23.09 50.9 

26 105 23.1 5.38 11.9 50 111 24.5 23.87 52.6 

27 106 23.4 6.12 13.5 51 112 24.7 24.65 54.4 

28 108 23.8 6.87 15.2 52 112 24.7 25.44 56.1 

29 108 23.8 7.63 16.8 53 112 24.7 26.22 57.8 

30 108 23.8 8.39 18.5 54 112 24.7 27.01 59.5 

31 109 24.0 9.15 20.2 55 112 24.7 27.79 61.3 

32 109 24.0 9.91 21.9 56 112 24.7 28.57 63.0 

33 110 24.3 10.68 23.6 57 112 24.7 29.36 64.7 

34 110 24.3 11.45 25.3 58 112 24.7 30.14 66.5 

35 110 24.3 12.22 26.9 59 112 24.7 30.93 68.2 

36 110 24.3 12.99 28.6 60 112 24.7 31.71 69.9 

37 111 24.5 13.77 30.4 61 112 24.7 32.49 71.6 

38 111 24.5 14.55 32.1 62 112 24.7 33.28 73.4 

39 111 24.5 15.32 33.8 63 112 24.7 34.06 75.1 

40 111 24.5 16.10 35.5 64 112 24.7 34.85 76.8 

41 111 24.5 16.88 37.2 65 112 24.7 35.63 78.6 

42 111 24.5 17.65 38.9 








Water Consumption for Hy-Line Brown Parent Pullets and Layers 




1 

2 

3 

4 

5 

6 

7 

8 

9 

10–15 

16–20 

21–25* 

Over 25* 


0.8–1.1 0.20–0.30 

1.1–1.9 0.30–0.50 

1.7–2.7 0.45–0.70 

2.5–3.8 0.65–1.00 

3.4–4.7 0.90–1.25 

4.5–5.7 1.20–1.50 

5.7–6.8 1.50–1.80 

6.1–8.0 1.60–2.10 

6.4–9.5 1.70–2.50 

6.8–10.2 1.80–2.70 

7.2–15.2 1.90–4.00 

9.9–18.2 2.60–4.80 

15.2–20.8 4.00–5.50 







Age 

in Weeks 

% 

Hen-Day 

Female % 

Mortality 

Male % 

Mortality 


Hy-Line Brown Parent Performance Projection 

Number 

Hen-Day Eggs 

Number 


Female 

Body Weight 

Average 

Egg Weight* 


doz. case 

% 

Settable 





% 

Hatch 

Number 

Female Chicks 


19 11 0.1 0.3 0.8 0.8 0.8 0.8 1.53 3.37 – – – – – – – – 

20 26 0.2 0.5 1.8 2.6 1.8 2.6 1.60 3.53 – – – – – – – – 

21 47 0.4 0.8 3.3 5.9 3.3 5.9 1.65 3.64 47.9 38.0 – – – – – – 

22 71 0.5 1.1 5.0 10.9 4.9 10.8 1.70 3.75 50.5 40.1 – – – – – – 

23 80 0.6 1.5 5.6 16.5 5.6 16.4 1.72 3.79 52.1 41.3 – – – – – – 

24 87 0.7 1.8 6.1 22.5 6.1 22.4 1.75 3.86 54.4 43.2 – – – – – – 

25 90 0.8 2.2 6.3 28.8 6.3 28.7 1.75 3.86 55.4 44.0 85 5.3 5.3 75 2.0 2.0 

26 91 0.9 2.5 6.4 35.2 6.3 35.0 1.78 3.92 56.2 44.6 92 5.8 11.1 77 2.2 4.2 

27 91 1.0 2.8 6.4 41.6 6.3 41.3 1.79 3.95 57.0 45.2 94 5.9 17.1 78 2.3 6.5 

28 92 1.1 3.1 6.4 48.0 6.4 47.7 1.80 3.97 57.4 45.6 95 6.1 23.1 80 2.4 9.0 

29 92 1.2 3.4 6.4 54.5 6.4 54.0 1.81 3.99 58.2 46.2 96 6.1 29.2 80 2.4 11.4 

30 92 1.3 3.6 6.4 60.9 6.4 60.4 1.82 4.01 58.4 46.3 96 6.1 35.3 82 2.5 13.9 

31 91 1.5 3.9 6.4 67.3 6.3 66.7 1.84 4.06 58.9 46.7 96 6.0 41.3 82 2.5 16.4 

32 91 1.6 4.1 6.4 73.6 6.3 72.9 1.85 4.08 59.4 47.1 96 6.0 47.4 82 2.5 18.8 

33 90 1.8 4.4 6.3 79.9 6.2 79.1 1.85 4.08 59.5 47.2 96 5.9 53.3 82 2.5 21.3 

34 90 1.9 4.6 6.3 86.2 6.2 85.3 1.86 4.10 59.8 47.5 96 5.9 59.2 83 2.5 23.8 

35 90 2.1 4.8 6.3 92.5 6.2 91.5 1.86 4.10 59.9 47.5 96 5.9 65.2 83 2.5 26.3 

36 90 2.2 5.0 6.3 98.8 6.2 97.6 1.86 4.10 60.3 47.9 97 5.9 71.1 83 2.5 28.7 

37 89 2.4 5.2 6.2 105.1 6.1 103.7 1.87 4.12 60.3 47.9 97 5.9 77.0 83 2.4 31.2 

38 89 2.6 5.4 6.2 111.3 6.1 109.8 1.87 4.12 60.8 48.3 97 5.9 82.9 83 2.4 33.6 

39 88 2.8 5.6 6.2 117.5 6.0 115.8 1.87 4.12 61.0 48.4 96 5.8 88.6 83 2.4 36.0 

40 87 2.9 5.8 6.1 123.6 5.9 121.7 1.87 4.12 61.1 48.5 96 5.7 94.3 83 2.4 38.4 

41 86 3.1 6.0 6.0 129.6 5.8 127.5 1.87 4.12 61.2 48.6 96 5.6 99.9 83 2.3 40.7 

42 86 3.3 6.2 6.0 135.6 5.8 133.3 1.87 4.12 61.4 48.7 96 5.6 105.5 82 2.3 43.0 

43 85 3.5 6.3 6.0 141.5 5.7 139.1 1.87 4.12 61.6 48.9 96 5.5 111.0 82 2.3 45.2 

44 84 3.7 6.5 5.9 147.4 5.7 144.7 1.87 4.12 61.8 49.0 96 5.4 116.5 82 2.2 47.5 

45 84 3.9 6.7 5.9 153.3 5.6 150.4 1.87 4.12 61.9 49.1 95 5.4 121.8 81 2.2 49.6 

46 82 4.1 6.9 5.7 159.0 5.5 155.9 1.87 4.12 62.0 49.2 95 5.2 127.0 81 2.1 51.8 

47 82 4.3 7.1 5.7 164.8 5.5 161.4 1.87 4.12 62.1 49.3 95 5.2 132.3 80 2.1 53.8 

48 81 4.5 7.3 5.7 170.5 5.4 166.8 1.87 4.12 62.2 49.4 95 5.1 137.4 80 2.1 55.9 

49 80 4.8 7.4 5.6 176.1 5.3 172.1 1.87 4.12 62.4 49.5 95 5.1 142.5 79 2.0 57.9 

50 80 5.0 7.6 5.6 181.7 5.3 177.5 1.87 4.12 62.4 49.5 95 5.1 147.5 79 2.0 59.9 

51 79 5.2 7.8 5.5 187.2 5.2 182.7 1.88 4.15 62.6 49.7 95 5.0 152.5 79 2.0 61.9 

52 79 5.5 8.0 5.5 192.7 5.2 187.9 1.88 4.15 62.8 49.8 95 5.0 157.5 78 1.9 63.8 

53 78 5.7 8.2 5.5 198.2 5.1 193.1 1.88 4.15 62.9 49.9 94 4.8 162.3 78 1.9 65.7 

54 78 5.9 8.3 5.5 203.6 5.1 198.2 1.88 4.15 63.0 50.0 94 4.8 167.1 78 1.9 67.6 

55 77 6.2 8.5 5.4 209.0 5.1 203.3 1.88 4.15 63.0 50.0 94 4.8 171.9 78 1.9 69.4 

56 76 6.4 8.7 5.3 214.3 5.0 208.3 1.88 4.15 63.1 50.1 94 4.7 176.6 76 1.8 71.2 

57 75 6.7 8.8 5.3 219.6 4.9 213.2 1.88 4.15 63.1 50.1 94 4.6 181.2 76 1.8 73.0 

58 74 6.9 9.0 5.2 224.8 4.8 218.0 1.88 4.15 63.3 50.2 93 4.5 185.7 75 1.7 74.6 

59 72 7.2 9.2 5.0 229.8 4.7 222.7 1.88 4.15 63.3 50.2 93 4.4 190.0 75 1.6 76.3 

60 71 7.4 9.3 5.0 234.8 4.6 227.3 1.88 4.15 63.4 50.3 92 4.2 194.2 74 1.6 77.8 

61 70 7.7 9.5 4.9 239.7 4.5 231.8 1.88 4.15 63.5 50.4 92 4.2 198.4 74 1.5 79.4 

62 70 7.9 9.6 4.9 244.6 4.5 236.3 1.88 4.15 63.5 50.4 92 4.2 202.6 73 1.5 80.9 

63 69 8.2 9.8 4.8 249.4 4.4 240.7 1.88 4.15 63.6 50.5 91 4.0 206.6 73 1.5 82.4 

64 68 8.4 9.9 4.8 254.2 4.4 245.1 1.88 4.15 63.8 50.6 91 4.0 210.6 73 1.4 83.8 

65 67 8.7 10.1 4.7 258.9 4.3 249.4 1.88 4.15 63.8 50.6 91 3.9 214.5 72 1.4 85.2 
















Performance Summary of the Hy-Line Silver Brown Parent 
































Target Weights of Hy-Line Silver Brown Parent Pullets 




Body Weight 



1 60 0.13 70 0.15 

2 120 0.26 140 0.31 

3 165 0.36 200 0.44 

4 270 0.60 280 0.62 

5 330 0.73 400 0.88 

6 420 0.93 510 1.12 

7 550 1.21 640 1.41 

8 660 1.46 790 1.74 

9 770 1.70 940 2.07 

10 870 1.92 1120 2.47 

11 1010 2.23 1260 2.78 

12 1070 2.36 1400 3.09 

13 1200 2.65 1540 3.40 

14 1270 2.80 1670 3.68 

15 1340 2.95 1810 3.99 

16 1380 3.04 1910 4.21 

17 1420 3.13 2010 4.43 

18 1460 3.22 2130 4.70 







Age 

in 

Weeks 

Age 

in 

Weeks 

g/day 

per 

bird 

g/day 

per 

bird 



Growing Period Feed Consumption—Silver Brown Parent 

lb/day 

per 

100 birds 

Laying Period Feed Consumption—Silver Brown Parent 

lb/day 

per 

100 birds 



g/day lb/day 

Cumulative 

in 

per 

per 

kg lb Weeks 


1 13 2.9 0.09 0.2 10 56 12.3 2.46 5.4 

2 20 4.4 0.23 0.5 11 61 13.4 2.88 6.4 

3 25 5.5 0.41 0.9 12 66 14.6 3.35 7.4 

4 29 6.4 0.61 1.3 13 70 15.4 3.84 8.5 

5 33 7.3 0.84 1.9 14 73 16.1 4.35 9.6 

6 37 8.2 1.10 2.4 15 75 16.5 4.87 10.7 

7 41 9.0 1.39 3.1 16 77 17.0 5.41 11.9 

8 46 10.1 1.71 3.8 17 80 17.6 5.97 13.2 

9 51 11.2 2.07 4.6 18 83 18.3 6.55 14.4 


g/day lb/day 

Cumulative 

in 

per 

per 

kg lb Weeks 


19 86 19.0 0.60 1.3 43 111 24.5 18.43 40.6 

20 89 19.6 1.23 2.7 44 111 24.5 19.21 42.4 

21 92 20.3 1.87 4.1 45 111 24.5 19.99 44.1 

22 95 20.9 2.53 5.6 46 111 24.5 20.76 45.8 

23 98 21.6 3.22 7.1 47 111 24.5 21.54 47.5 

24 100 22.0 3.92 8.6 48 111 24.5 22.32 49.2 

25 103 22.7 4.64 10.2 49 111 24.5 23.09 50.9 

26 105 23.1 5.38 11.9 50 111 24.5 23.87 52.6 

27 106 23.4 6.12 13.5 51 112 24.7 24.65 54.4 

28 108 23.8 6.87 15.2 52 112 24.7 25.44 56.1 

29 108 23.8 7.63 16.8 53 112 24.7 26.22 57.8 

30 108 23.8 8.39 18.5 54 112 24.7 27.01 59.5 

31 109 24.0 9.15 20.2 55 112 24.7 27.79 61.3 

32 109 24.0 9.91 21.9 56 112 24.7 28.57 63.0 

33 110 24.3 10.68 23.6 57 112 24.7 29.36 64.7 

34 110 24.3 11.45 25.3 58 112 24.7 30.14 66.5 

35 110 24.3 12.22 26.9 59 112 24.7 30.93 68.2 

36 110 24.3 12.99 28.6 60 112 24.7 31.71 69.9 

37 111 24.5 13.77 30.4 61 112 24.7 32.49 71.6 

38 111 24.5 14.55 32.1 62 112 24.7 33.28 73.4 

39 111 24.5 15.32 33.8 63 112 24.7 34.06 75.1 

40 111 24.5 16.10 35.5 64 112 24.7 34.85 76.8 

41 111 24.5 16.88 37.2 65 112 24.7 35.63 78.6 

42 111 24.5 17.65 38.9 









Water Consumption for Hy-Line Silver Brown Parent Pullets and Layers 




1 

2 

3 

4 

5 

6 

7 

8 

9 

10–15 

16–20 

21–25* 

Over 25* 


0.8–1.1 0.20–0.30 

1.1–1.9 0.30–0.50 

1.7–2.7 0.45–0.70 

2.5–3.8 0.65–1.00 

3.4–4.7 0.90–1.25 

4.5–5.7 1.20–1.50 

5.7–6.8 1.50–1.80 

6.1–8.0 1.60–2.10 

6.4–9.5 1.70–2.50 

6.8–10.2 1.80–2.70 

7.2–15.2 1.90–4.00 

9.9–18.2 2.60–4.80 

15.2–20.8 4.00–5.50 






Age 

in Weeks 

% 

Hen-Day 

Female % 

Mortality 

Male % 

Mortality 


Hy-Line Silver Brown Parent Performance Projection 

Number 

Hen-Day Eggs 

Number 


Female 

Body Weight 

Average 

Egg Weight* 


doz. case 


% 

Settable 




% 

Hatch 

Number 

Female Chicks 


19 15 0.1 0.2 1.1 1.1 1.0 1.0 1.56 3.44 – – – – – – – – 

20 30 0.2 0.6 2.1 3.2 2.1 3.1 1.62 3.57 – – – – – – – – 

21 49 0.3 0.8 3.4 6.6 3.4 6.6 1.68 3.70 47.1 37.4 – – – – – – 

22 68 0.5 1.0 4.8 11.3 4.7 11.3 1.72 3.79 49.0 38.9 – – – – – – 

23 79 0.6 1.3 5.5 16.9 5.5 16.8 1.75 3.86 52.3 41.5 – – – – – – 

24 83 0.7 1.5 5.8 22.7 5.8 22.6 1.79 3.95 55.2 43.8 – – – – – – 

25 85 0.9 1.7 6.0 28.6 5.9 28.5 1.81 3.99 56.6 45.0 87 5.1 5.1 70 1.8 1.8 

26 88 1.0 1.9 6.2 34.8 6.1 34.6 1.85 4.08 58.5 46.4 88 5.4 10.5 70 1.9 3.7 

27 88 1.2 2.1 6.2 41.0 6.1 40.7 1.86 4.10 59.5 47.2 89 5.4 15.9 71 1.9 5.6 

28 89 1.3 2.4 6.2 47.2 6.1 46.8 1.90 4.19 60.3 47.9 90 5.5 21.4 71 2.0 7.6 

29 90 1.5 2.7 6.3 53.5 6.2 53.0 1.91 4.21 60.8 48.3 90 5.6 27.0 72 2.0 9.6 

30 91 1.6 3.0 6.4 59.9 6.3 59.3 1.91 4.21 61.0 48.4 91 5.7 32.7 73 2.1 11.7 

31 91 1.8 3.3 6.4 66.2 6.3 65.5 1.91 4.21 61.3 48.7 91 5.7 38.4 74 2.1 13.8 

32 91 2.0 3.6 6.4 72.6 6.2 71.8 1.92 4.23 61.6 48.9 92 5.7 44.2 74 2.1 15.9 

33 91 2.1 3.9 6.4 79.0 6.2 78.0 1.92 4.23 61.8 49.0 92 5.7 49.9 75 2.1 18.0 

34 91 2.3 4.2 6.4 85.3 6.2 84.2 1.92 4.23 62.3 49.4 92 5.7 55.6 75 2.1 20.1 

35 91 2.5 4.5 6.4 91.7 6.2 90.4 1.93 4.26 62.5 49.6 92 5.7 61.4 75 2.1 22.3 

36 91 2.6 4.8 6.4 98.1 6.2 96.6 1.93 4.26 62.8 49.8 93 5.8 67.1 76 2.2 24.5 

37 91 2.8 5.2 6.4 104.4 6.2 102.8 1.93 4.26 63.0 50.0 93 5.8 72.9 76 2.2 26.7 

38 91 3.0 5.6 6.4 110.8 6.2 109.0 1.93 4.26 63.1 50.1 93 5.7 78.6 76 2.2 28.8 

39 90 3.1 6.0 6.3 117.1 6.1 115.1 1.94 4.28 63.2 50.2 93 5.7 84.3 76 2.2 31.0 

40 90 3.3 6.4 6.3 123.4 6.1 121.2 1.94 4.28 63.2 50.2 93 5.7 90.0 76 2.2 33.2 

41 89 3.5 6.8 6.2 129.6 6.0 127.2 1.94 4.28 63.3 50.2 93 5.6 95.6 77 2.2 35.3 

42 89 3.7 7.2 6.2 135.9 6.0 133.2 1.94 4.28 63.4 50.3 94 5.6 101.2 77 2.2 37.5 

43 88 3.9 7.7 6.2 142.0 5.9 139.1 1.95 4.30 63.5 50.4 94 5.6 106.8 77 2.1 39.6 

44 88 4.0 8.3 6.2 148.2 5.9 145.1 1.95 4.30 63.6 50.5 94 5.6 112.3 77 2.1 41.8 

45 88 4.2 8.8 6.2 154.4 5.9 151.0 1.96 4.32 63.6 50.5 94 5.5 117.9 76 2.1 43.9 

46 88 4.4 9.3 6.2 160.5 5.9 156.9 1.96 4.32 63.8 50.6 94 5.5 123.4 76 2.1 46.0 

47 87 4.6 9.8 6.1 166.6 5.8 162.7 1.96 4.32 63.8 50.6 94 5.5 128.9 76 2.1 48.0 

48 87 4.8 10.3 6.1 172.7 5.8 168.5 1.96 4.32 64.0 50.8 94 5.5 134.3 76 2.1 50.1 

49 87 4.9 10.8 6.1 178.8 5.8 174.3 1.97 4.34 64.1 50.9 94 5.4 139.8 75 2.0 52.2 

50 86 5.1 11.3 6.0 184.8 5.7 180.0 1.97 4.34 64.3 51.0 94 5.4 145.1 75 2.0 54.2 

51 86 5.3 11.8 6.0 190.8 5.7 185.7 1.97 4.34 64.3 51.1 95 5.4 150.6 75 2.0 56.2 

52 86 5.5 12.3 6.0 196.8 5.7 191.4 2.00 4.41 64.5 51.2 95 5.4 156.0 74 2.0 58.2 

53 86 5.7 12.8 6.0 202.9 5.7 197.0 2.00 4.41 64.5 51.2 95 5.4 161.4 74 2.0 60.2 

54 85 5.9 13.4 6.0 208.8 5.6 202.6 2.00 4.41 64.6 51.3 95 5.3 166.7 73 1.9 62.1 

55 84 6.1 14.0 5.9 214.7 5.5 208.2 2.02 4.45 64.6 51.3 95 5.2 171.9 73 1.9 64.1 

56 83 6.3 14.6 5.8 220.5 5.4 213.6 2.02 4.45 64.6 51.3 95 5.2 177.1 72 1.9 65.9 

57 82 6.4 15.2 5.7 226.2 5.4 219.0 2.03 4.48 64.6 51.3 95 5.1 182.2 71 1.8 67.7 

58 82 6.6 15.8 5.7 232.0 5.4 224.3 2.03 4.48 64.6 51.3 95 5.1 187.3 71 1.8 69.5 

59 81 6.8 16.4 5.7 237.7 5.3 229.6 2.04 4.50 64.7 51.3 94 5.0 192.3 70 1.7 71.3 

60 81 7.0 17.0 5.7 243.3 5.3 234.9 2.04 4.50 64.7 51.3 94 5.0 197.2 70 1.7 73.0 

61 79 7.2 17.6 5.5 248.9 5.1 240.0 2.05 4.52 64.7 51.3 94 4.8 202.0 69 1.7 74.7 

62 78 7.4 18.3 5.5 254.3 5.1 245.1 2.05 4.52 64.8 51.4 94 4.8 206.8 69 1.6 76.3 

63 77 7.6 19.0 5.4 259.7 5.0 250.1 2.06 4.54 64.8 51.4 94 4.7 211.5 68 1.6 77.9 

64 76 7.8 19.7 5.3 265.0 4.9 255.0 2.06 4.54 64.9 51.5 94 4.6 216.1 68 1.6 79.5 

65 75 8.0 21.4 5.3 270.3 4.8 259.8 2.06 4.54 64.9 51.5 94 4.5 220.6 67 1.5 81.0 






Hy-Line SIlver Brown Parent Stock 







Contents 







Health 



Vitamins 


—— 






—— 





Stock 












Download the suggested W-36 nutrition program for easy printing (pdf, 1.6 MB) 

























relatively low feed intake of about 82 to 84 g/day—or as low as economically and 

practically feasible (the exact feed-intake value should be determined by the local 

nutritionist and depends in part on the individual farm and economics). The diet is fed 

until the observed feed consumption reaches about 90 g/day, which typically occurs 

around 26 to 27 weeks of age. 
























Diet matrix 














that normally consumes approximately 95 g feed per day post-peak. In warmer climates, 

the normal postpeak feed intake may be closer to 90 g/day and closer to 100 g/day in 

cooler climates in which case the matrix should be adjusted accordingly. 

Age 








2, 4, 7, and 10) because once the feed intake has stabilized (typically at 95 g/day), it does not change much. 

However, Diets 3, 6, and 9 as well as Diets 5, 8, and 11 are available from the feed mill in case the feed 

intake decreases or increases, respectively. 












g/day again.

Technical bulleTin 

All Hy-Line laying hens are selected to provide the 

most feed-efficient hen on today’s market. Through natural 

selection processes, the egg production of the Hy-Line 

W-36 has increased steadily, while the feed intake has 

decreased (Figure 1). In the long term, the trend for egg 

production to increase will continue while feed intake will 

remain steady. Independent research shows that Hy-Line 

hens (and especially Hy-Line W-36) consume less feed 

(Figure 2) and have a better feed conversion and a better 

livability than other white laying hens. As a result, feed 

efficiency, environmental footprint, and profitability are 

better for Hy-Line W-36 than for other hens. 

A pubLIcATIon oF 

hy-line inTernaTional 

Feeding the hy-line W-36 

Kristjan Bregendahl, Ph.D. 

Although the nutrient needs (in grams or milligrams per day) are not much different for the Hy-Line W-36 than 

for other white laying hens, its daily feed intake is significantly lower. Therefore, to supply the same grams of 

nutrients per day, the diet for Hy-Line W-36 must be more concentrated. The superior feed conversion and the 

low feed intake makes the cost of feeding the Hy-Line W-36 lower than that of other white laying hens, leading to 

better profitability. A suggested feeding program for the Hy-Line W-36 is discussed. 

Figure 1. Improvements in egg production and feed intake 

of Hy‑Line W‑36 (17–66 weeks of age) between 1998 and 

2008. Data from the North Carolina Layer Performance and 

Management Tests. 

The relatively low feed intake of Hy-Line W-36 means 

that it is important to understand the effects of the daily 

feed intake on energy and nutrient delivery to the hen for 

egg production. The energy and nutrient recommendations 

of the Hy-Line W-36 are not much different from 

that of other breeds of white laying hens when measured 

on the basis of calories (or joules) of energy intake and 

milligrams of nutrient intake per day. However, because 

of the markedly lower feed intake of the Hy-Line W-36, 

the “Hy-Line diet” needs to be more concentrated than 

that typically used for other breeds of white laying hens. 

Therefore, the price per 1000 kg of the more concentrated 

Figure 2. Feed intake of Hy‑Line W‑36 and other white laying 

hens, managed under similar conditions. Data from the 37th 

North Carolina Layer Performance and Management Tests.

“Hy-Line diet” is often higher than that of other white 

laying hens. Yet, the concentrated diet is still more profitable 

to feed because the Hy-Line W-36 

• consumes less feed, 

• has a better feed efficiency, and 

• 

requires a more concentrated diet that ‘fits’ the lower 

feed intake and supplies the correct amount of energy 

and nutrients needed to sustain egg production. 

Despite the higher price (per 1000 kg) of the more 

concentrated “Hy-Line diet,” the actual cost of feeding is 

less for Hy-Line W-36 than for other white laying hens. 

The lower cost of feeding, in turn, results in better profitability, 

because 65 to 75% of the cost of producing an 

egg is feeding cost. This concept is illustrated in Figure 

3, showing the price of 2 diets of different concentrations 

and the effects of Hy-Line’s lower feed intake on the cost 

of feeding and, therefore, profitability. 

Figure 3. Diet price versus the overall cost of feeding. 

Knowing the feed intake of the flock is critical 

The nutrition recommendations for Hy-Line’s varieties 

of laying hens are based on supplying a given amount 

of nutrients per day to each hen (the nutrition recommendations 

are available on-line at www.hyline.com). The 

recommended amounts of nutrients are expressed in milligrams 

or grams per day. one must therefore know (or 

accurately estimate) the hens’ daily feed intake in order 

to calculate the dietary percentage inclusion of each nutrient. 

For example, with a recommended daily calcium intake 

of 4.20 g/day and an observed feed consumption of 95 

g/day, the dietary calcium concentration should be 4.4%: 

4.20 g calcium needed × 100 

95 g feed consumed 

= 4.42% calcium in the diet 

Similarly, if the recommended digestible lysine intake is 

750 mg/day, the dietary concentration of digestible lysine 

should be 0.79%: 

750 mg digestible lysine needed × 100 


= 0.789% digestible lysine in the diet 

Should the daily feed consumption decrease to, say, 

90 g/day (for instance due to increased effective ambient 

temperature), the hens fed the above diet would consume 

only (90 g × 4.4% =) 4.0 g calcium and (90 g × 0.79% =) 

711 mg digestible lysine, both of which are significantly 

less that the recommended amounts. Similarly, the intake 

of other nutrients and energy will also decrease and, as 

a result, eggshell quality, egg weight, and egg production 

will decrease. Therefore, with a feed consumption 

of 90 g/day, the dietary concentrations of calcium and 

digestible lysine should be adjusted to 4.7% and 0.83%, 

respectively, to ensure the recommended calcium and 

digestible-lysine intakes of 4.2 g and 750 mg, respectively. 

In case of increased feed consumption (e.g., to 100 

g/day because of lower ambient temperatures), the dietary 

nutrient and energy concentrations can be lowered using 

the same approach. 

Suggested diet program for hy-line W-36 

For the Hy-Line W-36, the following suggested diet 

program is used with success worldwide and follows the 

principle of feeding for the observed feed intake and desired 

production. Feeding according to this or a similar 

program ensures a high peak egg production, an excellent 

persistence of lay, and a highly profitable business. 

note that the diets should be formulated for the actual, 

observed feed intakes, which may be different from the 

feed intakes shown in this example. 

The first diet that is fed as the hens start laying eggs 

is critical to sustain body weight gain and the high demands 

of egg production. Remember that even though the 

whole flock’s egg production is, say 50%, the hens that 

are laying eggs produce 1 egg per day (corresponding to 

100% egg production for the individual hen). Therefore, 

it is recommended to start feeding a fairly concentrated 

diet (i.e., formulated for a relatively low feed intake) to 

supply the needed energy and nutrients to meet the dietary 

demands of the hens that are laying and then change 

to a less concentrated diet as soon as the feed intake has 

increased (Figure 4). 


Diet 1 is fed from start of lay at approximately 18 

weeks of age. At this time, the feed intake is relatively 

low, but rapidly increasing (Figure 4). Accordingly, the 

diet is formulated for a relatively low feed intake of about 

82 to 84 g/day, which is as low as economically and practically 

feasible (the exact feed-intake value should be determined 

by the local nutritionist and depends in part on 

the individual farm and economics). The diet is fed until

Figure 4. Development in feed intake and suggested diet phases 

formulated for the observed feed intake. 

the observed feed consumption reaches about 90 g/day, 

which typically occurs around 26 to 27 weeks of age. 

because of the relatively low (but increasing) feed intake 

at this time, the diet should be fairly concentrated, 

often necessitating relatively high inclusion levels of oil, 

digestible amino acids, calcium, and available phosphorus. 

because of the high nutrient density of Diet 1, the diet 

appears expensive when compared on a price per 1000 kg 

basis. However, the diet is only fed for a short time and 

only little of the diet is consumed because of the relatively 

low feed intake during this time. Therefore, the actual cost 

of feeding Diet 1 is low and, importantly, ensures adequate 

energy and nutrient intake to ensure a high peak and 

prevents depletion of body reserves. 


When the flock’s feed intake has increased to about 90 

g/day, Diet 1 can be reformulated to take advantage of the 

now higher feed intake (Figure 4). Diet 2 should be formulated 

to deliver the same kilocalories (or megajoules) 

of energy and milligrams or grams of nutrients as Diet 1. 

That means that Diet 2 is less concentrated (because of the 

higher feed intake) and, therefore, less expensive. The diet 

is fed until the feed intake is 95 g/day. 


The next diet is formulated for a feed intake of about 

95 g/day, which typically occurs around 36 to 37 weeks of 

age, and is therefore slightly less concentrated than Diet 

2. The feed intake of the Hy-Line W-36 does not change 

much after this time (Figure 4), so subsequent diet changes 

are governed mainly by controlling egg weight, maintaining 

eggshell quality, and reducing diet cost (the latter as 

the hens’ energy and nutrient needs decrease). That said, 

these diets should be reformulated to avoid under- or overfeeding 


Diet matrix 

When diets are formulated to the aforementioned 

principles of observed feed intake and desired production, 

a “diet matrix” can be constructed, illustrated in the table 

below. The diets are formulated for age (or, more appropriately, 

hen–day egg production) and, within each phase, 

for observed feed intake. With this set of diets, the farm 

manager can select and order an appropriate feed from the 

feed mill every time a new load of feed is needed. Each 

feed matches the feed intake and provides exactly the recommended 

grams or milligrams of nutrients (i.e., birds are 

not under- or over-fed, which would otherwise result in 

loss of profits). note that not all of the diets are necessarily 

fed, but are available if the hens’ feed intake changes 

because of hot or cold weather or other reasons. 

Suggested diet matrix for Hy‑Line W‑36. 1,2 The matrix is intended 

for a flock that normally consumes approximately 95 g feed 

per day post‑peak. In warmer climates, the normal post‑peak 

feed intake may be closer to 90 g/day and closer to 100 g/day 

in cooler climates (in which case the matrix should be adjusted 

accordingly). See also Figure 4. 

Age Observed feed intake 3 

Weeks 84 g/day 90 g/day 95 g/day 100 g/day 

18–32 Diet 1 Diet 2 

33–42 Diet 3 Diet 4 Diet 5 


54+ Diet 9 Diet 10 Diet 11 

1 Note that, in most cases, only 4–5 diets are fed through the first 

lay cycle (i.e., the yellow highlighted Diets 1, 2, 4, 7, and 10; 

see text). 

2 Energy and nutrient recommendations for each phase are 

shown in the Hy‑Line W‑36 management guide, available on‑ 

line at www.hyline.com. 

3 The matrix should be adjusted according to actual, observed 

feed intakes for the specific flock, which may differ from those 

shown. 

The diet matrix shown above gives the farm manager 

11 diets to choose from. However, only 4 to 5 of those 

diets are used under normal conditions: 

• 

• 

• 

Diet 1 because of the relatively low feed intake and 

the importance of providing the hen with adequate 

nutrition during this period; 

Diet 2 because it is more economical to feed than 

Diet 1 once the feed intake has increased; and 

Diets 4, 7, and 10 to control egg weight and eggshell 

quality. 

Diets 3, 6, and 9 as well as Diets 5, 8, and 11 may never 

need to be fed, but are available from the feed mill in 

case the feed intake decreases or increases, respectively. 

These may only have to be fed for a short time until the 

feed intake returns to the “normal” 95 g/day again.

Item¹ Peaking 


Point of lay to 

32 Weeks 



33–44 Weeks 

86–82% egg 

production 

45–58 Weeks 

Less than 82% 


59+ Weeks 

Metabolizable energy, kcal/lb 1290–1340 1290–1335 1280–1325 1270–1290 





Lysine, mg/day 805 750 710 695 


Methionine+cystine, mg/day 676 630 596 570 





Valine, mg/day 725 675 639 626 


Lysine, mg/day 881 821 777 761 







Valine, mg/day 799 744 705 690 


Calcium, 4 g/day 4.00 4.20 4.35 4.50 

Phosphorus (available), 5 mg/day 500 480 460 400 

Sodium, mg/day 180 180 180 180 



Choline, mg/day 100 100 100 100 

¹Consumption of crude protein, methionine+cystine, fat, linoleic acid, and/or energy may be changed to optimize egg size. 

²The recommended energy range is based on the energy values shown in the table on the inside back cover of this guide. 

Differences in the metabolizable energy value assigned to feed ingredients of the same name can differ substantially; in 

some cases, the recommended dietary energy content may have to be adjusted accordingly (see text). 

³Total amino acids are only appropriate with a corn and soybean diet; please formulate the diet on digestible amino acid 

basis if a substantial amount of other protein-supplying ingredients are used. 

4Approximately 65% of the added calcium carbonate (limestone) should be in particle sizes of 2–4 mm. 

5Digestible phosphorus is sometimes preferred over available phosphorus. However, there are insufficient data available to 

make recommendations about a minimum dietary digestible-phosphorus content for Hy-Line birds. Instead, use the 

available-phosphorus recommendations and the available-phosphorus contents of feed ingredients (shown on the inside 

back cover of this guide).

24 

Peaking; point of lay to 32 weeks 1 

Recommended energy concentration: 2 1290–1340 kcal/lb, 2844–2955 kcal/kg, 11.90–12.37 MJ/kg 


Feed consumption lb/day per 100 hens 16.3 17.4 18.5 19.6 20.7 


Lysine, % 1.09 1.02 0.96 0.90 0.86 

Methionine, % 0.53 0.50 0.47 0.44 0.42 

Methionine+cystine, % 0.91 0.86 0.80 0.76 0.72 

Threonine, % 0.76 0.71 0.67 0.63 0.60 

Tryptophan, % 0.23 0.21 0.20 0.19 0.18 

Arginine, % 1.16 1.09 1.03 0.97 0.92 

Isoleucine, % 0.86 0.81 0.76 0.71 0.68 

Valine, % 0.98 0.92 0.86 0.81 0.77 


Lysine, % 1.19 1.12 1.05 0.99 0.94 

Methionine, % 0.57 0.54 0.50 0.48 0.45 


Threonine, % 0.90 0.84 0.79 0.74 0.71 

Tryptophan, % 0.27 0.26 0.24 0.23 0.21 

Arginine, % 1.25 1.17 1.10 1.04 0.99 

Isoleucine, % 0.92 0.87 0.81 0.77 0.73 

Valine, % 1.08 1.01 0.95 0.90 0.85 


Calcium, 4 % 5.41 5.06 4.76 4.49 4.26 

Phosphorus (avail.), 5 % 0.68 0.63 0.60 0.56 0.53 

Sodium, % 0.24 0.23 0.21 0.20 0.19 

Chloride, % 0.24 0.23 0.21 0.20 0.19 


*Typical feed consumption based on available data for the age in North America. 

Laying Period Nutritional Recommendations 

Above 92% to 87% egg production; 33–44 weeks 1 





Lysine, % 0.88 0.83 0.79 0.75 0.71 

Methionine, % 0.43 0.41 0.39 0.37 0.35 


Threonine, % 0.62 0.58 0.55 0.53 0.50 

Tryptophan, % 0.19 0.18 0.17 0.16 0.15 

Arginine, % 0.94 0.89 0.85 0.80 0.76 

Isoleucine, % 0.70 0.66 0.62 0.59 0.56 

Valine, % 0.79 0.75 0.71 0.68 0.64 


Lysine, % 0.97 0.91 0.86 0.82 0.78 

Methionine, % 0.46 0.44 0.42 0.40 0.38 


Threonine, % 0.73 0.69 0.65 0.62 0.59 

Tryptophan, % 0.22 0.21 0.20 0.19 0.18 

Arginine, % 1.02 0.96 0.91 0.86 0.82 

Isoleucine, % 0.75 0.71 0.67 0.64 0.61 

Valine, % 0.88 0.83 0.78 0.74 0.71 


Calcium, 4 % 4.94 4.67 4.42 4.20 4.00 


Sodium, % 0.21 0.20 0.19 0.18 0.17 

Chloride, % 0.21 0.20 0.19 0.18 0.17 



1 Consumption of crude protein, methionine+cystine, fat, linoleic acid, and/or energy may be changed to optimize egg size. 

2 The recommended energy range is based on the energy values shown in the table on the inside back cover of this guide. Differences in the metabolizable energy value assigned to feed ingredients of the same name can differ substantially; 

in some cases, the recommended dietary energy content may have to be adjusted accordingly (see text). 

3 Total amino acids are only appropriate with a corn and soybean meal diet; please formulate the diet on digestible amino acid basis if a substantial amount of other protein-supplying ingredients are used. 


5 Digestible phosphorus is sometimes preferred over available phosphorus. However, there are insufficient data available to make recommendations about a minimum dietary digestible-phosphorus content for Hy-Line birds. Instead, use the 

available-phosphorus recommendations and the available-phosphorus contents of feed ingredients (shown on the inside back cover of this guide).

25 

86–82% egg production; 45–58 weeks 1 





Lysine, % 0.84 0.79 0.75 0.71 0.68 

Methionine, % 0.41 0.39 0.37 0.35 0.33 


Threonine, % 0.58 0.55 0.52 0.50 0.47 

Tryptophan, % 0.18 0.17 0.16 0.15 0.14 

Arginine, % 0.89 0.84 0.80 0.76 0.72 

Isoleucine, % 0.66 0.62 0.59 0.56 0.53 

Valine, % 0.75 0.71 0.67 0.64 0.61 


Lysine, % 0.91 0.86 0.82 0.78 0.74 

Methionine, % 0.44 0.42 0.39 0.37 0.36 


Threonine, % 0.69 0.65 0.62 0.59 0.56 

Tryptophan, % 0.21 0.20 0.19 0.18 0.17 

Arginine, % 0.96 0.91 0.86 0.82 0.78 

Isoleucine, % 0.71 0.67 0.63 0.60 0.57 

Valine, % 0.83 0.78 0.74 0.71 0.67 


Calcium, 4 % 5.12 4.83 4.58 4.35 4.14 


Sodium, % 0.21 0.20 0.19 0.18 0.17 

Chloride, % 0.21 0.20 0.19 0.18 0.17 




Less than 82% egg production; 59+ weeks 1 





Lysine, % 0.84 0.79 0.75 0.71 0.67 

Methionine, % 0.40 0.38 0.36 0.34 0.32 


Threonine, % 0.59 0.55 0.52 0.50 0.47 

Tryptophan, % 0.18 0.17 0.16 0.15 0.14 

Arginine, % 0.90 0.85 0.80 0.76 0.72 

Isoleucine, % 0.66 0.62 0.59 0.56 0.53 

Valine, % 0.75 0.71 0.67 0.64 0.61 


Lysine, % 0.92 0.86 0.82 0.78 0.74 

Methionine, % 0.43 0.41 0.39 0.37 0.35 


Threonine, % 0.69 0.65 0.62 0.58 0.56 

Tryptophan, % 0.21 0.20 0.19 0.18 0.17 

Arginine, % 0.96 0.91 0.86 0.82 0.78 

Isoleucine, % 0.71 0.67 0.63 0.60 0.57 

Valine, % 0.83 0.78 0.74 0.70 0.67 


Calcium, 4 % 5.42 5.11 4.84 4.59 4.37 


Sodium, % 0.22 0.20 0.19 0.18 0.17 

Chloride, % 0.22 0.20 0.19 0.18 0.17 



1 Consumption of crude protein, methionine+cystine, fat, linoleic acid, and/or energy may be changed to optimize egg size. 

2 The recommended energy range is based on the energy values shown in the table on the inside back cover of this guide. Differences in the metabolizable energy value assigned to feed ingredients of the same name can differ substantially; 


3 Total amino acids are only appropriate with a corn and soybean meal diet; please formulate the diet on digestible amino acid basis if a substantial amount of other protein-supplying ingredients are used. 


5 Digestible phosphorus is sometimes preferred over available phosphorus. However, there are insufficient data available to make recommendations about a minimum dietary digestible-phosphorus content for Hy-Line birds. Instead, use the 


Hy-Line International 

1755 West Lakes parkway 

West Des Moines, Iowa 50266 uSA 

phone: +1 (515) 225-6030 

Fax: +1 (515) 225-6425 



Hy-Line is a brand name. numbers and letter identify varieties. 

®Registered Trademark of Hy-Line International, West Des Moines, Iowa u.S.A. 

© Hy-Line International 2010 

April 2010

Contents 







Health 



Vitamins 


—— 






—— 





Stock 







































feed consumption reaches about 95 g/day, which typically occurs around 26 to 27 weeks 

of age. 
























Diet matrix 
















closer to 105 g/day in cooler climates (or cage-free) in which case the matrix should be 


Age 






















g/day again.

Contents 







Health 



Vitamins 


—— 






—— 





Stock 












Download the suggested Hy-Line Brown nutrition program for easy printing (pdf, 1.6 

MB) 






For the Hy-Line Brown, the following suggested diet program is used with success 























weeks of age. 
























Diet matrix 













Suggested diet matrix for Hy-Line Brown. 1,2 The matrix is intended for a flock 





Age 






















g/day again.

Technical bulleTin 

All Hy-Line laying hens are selected to provide the 

most feed-efficient hen on today’s market. Through natural 

selection processes, the egg production of the Hy-Line 

Brown has increased steadily, while the feed intake has 

decreased (Figure 1). In the long term, the trend for egg 

production to increase will continue while feed intake will 

remain steady. Independent research shows that Hy-Line 

hens (and especially Hy-Line Brown) consume less feed 

(Figure 2) and have a better feed conversion and a better 

livability than other brown laying hens. As a result, feed 

efficiency, environmental footprint, and profitability are 

better for Hy-Line Brown than for other hens. 

A puBLIcATIon oF 

hy-line inTernaTional 

Feeding the hy-line brown 

Kristjan Bregendahl, Ph.D. 

Although the nutrient needs (in grams or milligrams per day) are not much different for the Hy-Line Brown than 

for other brown laying hens, its daily feed intake is significantly lower. Therefore, to supply the same grams of 

nutrients per day, the diet for Hy-Line Brown must be more concentrated. The superior feed conversion and the 

low feed intake makes the cost of feeding the Hy-Line Brown lower than that of other brown laying hens, leading 

to better profitability. A suggested feeding program for the Hy-Line Brown is discussed. 

Figure 1. Improvements in egg production and feed intake 

of Hy‑Line Brown (17–66 weeks of age) between 1998 and 

2008. Data from the North Carolina Layer Performance and 

Management Tests. 

The relatively low feed intake of Hy-Line Brown 

means that it is important to understand the effects of the 

daily feed intake on energy and nutrient delivery to the hen 

for egg production. The energy and nutrient recommendations 

of the Hy-Line Brown are not much different from 

that of other breeds of brown laying hens when measured 

on the basis of calories (or joules) of energy intake and 

milligrams of nutrient intake per day. However, because 

of the markedly lower feed intake of the Hy-Line Brown, 

the “Hy-Line diet” needs to be more concentrated than 

that typically used for other breeds of brown laying hens. 

Therefore, the price per 1000 kg of the more concentrated 

Figure 2. Feed intake of Hy‑Line Brown and other brown laying 

hens, managed under similar conditions. Data from the 37th 

North Carolina Layer Performance and Management Tests.

“Hy-Line diet” is often higher than that of other brown 

laying hens. Yet, the concentrated diet is still more profitable 

to feed because the Hy-Line Brown 

• consumes less feed, 

• has a better feed efficiency, and 

• 

needs a more concentrated diet that ‘fits’ the lower 

feed intake and supplies the correct amount of energy 

and nutrients needed to sustain egg production. 

Despite the higher price (per 1000 kg) of the more 

concentrated “Hy-Line diet,” the actual cost of feeding is 

less for Hy-Line Brown than for other brown laying hens. 

The lower cost of feeding, in turn, results in better profitability, 

because 65 to 75% of the cost of producing an 

egg is feeding cost. This concept is illustrated in Figure 

3, showing the price of 2 diets of different concentrations 

and the effects of Hy-Line’s lower feed intake on the cost 

of feeding and, therefore, profitability. 

Figure 3. Diet price versus the overall cost of feeding. 

Knowing the feed intake of the flock is critical 

The nutrition recommendations for Hy-Line’s varieties 

of laying hens are based on supplying a given amount 

of nutrients per day to each hen (the nutrition recommendations 

are available on-line at www.hyline.com). The 

recommended amounts of nutrients are expressed in milligrams 

or grams per day. one must therefore know (or 

accurately estimate) the hens’ daily feed intake in order 

to calculate the dietary percentage inclusion of each nutrient. 

For example, with a recommended daily calcium intake 

of 4.40 g/day and an observed feed consumption of 

110 g/day, the dietary calcium concentration should be 

4.0%: 

4.40 g calcium needed × 100 


= 4.00% calcium in the diet 

Similarly, if the recommended digestible lysine intake is 

840 mg/day, the dietary concentration of digestible lysine 

should be 0.76%: 

840 mg digestible lysine needed × 100 


= 0.764% digestible lysine in the diet 

Should the daily feed consumption decrease to, say, 

105 g/day (for instance due to increased effective ambient 

temperature), the hens fed the above diet would consume 

only (105 g × 4.0% =) 4.2 g calcium and (105 g 

× 0.76% =) 798 mg digestible lysine, both of which are 

significantly less that the recommended amounts. Similarly, 

the intake of other nutrients and energy will also 

decrease and, as a result, eggshell quality, egg weight, 

and egg production will decrease. Therefore, with a feed 

consumption of 105 g/day, the dietary concentrations of 

calcium and digestible lysine should be adjusted to 4.2% 

and 0.80%, respectively, to ensure the recommended calcium 

and digestible-lysine intakes of 4.4 g and 840 mg, 

respectively. In case of increased feed consumption (e.g., 

to 115 g/day because of lower ambient temperatures), the 

dietary nutrient and energy concentrations can be lowered 

using the same approach. 

Suggested diet program for hy-line brown 

For the Hy-Line Brown, the following suggested diet 

program is used with success worldwide and follows the 

principle of feeding for the observed feed intake and desired 

production. Feeding according to this or a similar 

program ensures a high peak egg production, an excellent 

persistence of lay, and a highly profitable business. 

note that the diets should be formulated for the actual, 

observed feed intakes, which may be different from the 

feed intakes shown in this example. 

The first diet that is fed as the hens start laying eggs 

is critical to sustain body weight gain and the high demands 

of egg production. Remember that even though the 

whole flock’s egg production is, say 50%, the hens that 

are laying eggs produce 1 egg per day (corresponding to 

100% egg production for the individual hen). Therefore, 

it is recommended to start feeding a fairly concentrated 

diet (i.e., formulated for a relatively low feed intake) to 

supply the needed energy and nutrients to meet the dietary 

demands of the hens that are laying and then change 

to a less concentrated diet as soon as the feed intake has 

increased (Figure 4). 


Diet 1 is fed from start of lay at approximately 18 

weeks of age. At this time, the feed intake is relatively 

low, but rapidly increasing (Figure 4). Accordingly, the 

diet is formulated for a relatively low feed intake of about 

95 g/day, which is as low as economically and practically

Figure 4. Increase in feed intake with age and suggested diet 

phases formulated for the observed feed intake. 

feasible (the exact feed-intake value should be determined 

by the local nutritionist and depends in part on the individual 

farm and economics). The diet is fed until the observed 

feed consumption reaches about 105 g/day, which 

typically occurs around 26 to 27 weeks of age. 

Because of the relatively low (but increasing) feed intake 

at this time, the diet should be fairly concentrated, 

often necessitating relatively high inclusion levels of oil, 

digestible amino acids, calcium, and available phosphorus. 

Because of the high nutrient density of Diet 1, the diet 

appears expensive when compared on a price per 1000 kg 

basis. However, the diet is only fed for a short time and 

only little of the diet is consumed because of the relatively 

low feed intake during this time. Therefore, the actual cost 

of feeding Diet 1 is low and, importantly, ensures adequate 

energy and nutrient intake to ensure a high peak and 

prevents depletion of body reserves. 


When the flock’s feed intake has increased to about 

105 g/day, Diet 1 can be reformulated to take advantage of 

the now higher feed intake (Figure 4). Diet 2 should be formulated 

to deliver the same kilocalories (or megajoules) 

of energy and milligrams or grams of nutrients as Diet 1. 

That means that Diet 2 is less concentrated (because of the 

higher feed intake) and, therefore, less expensive. The diet 

is fed until the feed intake is 110 g/day. 


The next diet is formulated for a feed intake of about 

110 g/day, which typically occurs around 35 weeks of age, 

and is therefore slightly less concentrated than Diet 2. The 

feed intake of the Hy-Line Brown does not change much 

after this time (Figure 4), so subsequent diet changes are 

governed mainly by controlling egg weight, maintaining 

eggshell quality, and reducing diet cost (the latter as the 

hens’ energy and nutrient needs decrease). That said, these 

diets should be reformulated to avoid under- or over-feeding 


Diet matrix 

When diets are formulated to the aforementioned 

principles of observed feed intake and desired production, 

a “diet matrix” can be constructed, illustrated in the table 

below. The diets are formulated for age (or, more appropriately, 

hen–day egg production) and, within each phase, 

for observed feed intake. With this set of diets, the farm 

manager can select and order an appropriate feed from the 

feed mill every time a new load of feed is needed. Each 

feed matches the feed intake and provides exactly the recommended 

grams or milligrams of nutrients (i.e., birds are 

not under- or over-fed, which would otherwise result in 

loss of profits). note that not all of the diets are necessarily 

fed, but are available if the hens’ feed intake changes 

because of hot or cold weather or other reasons. 

Suggested diet matrix for Hy‑Line Brown. 1,2 The matrix is intended 

for a flock that normally consumes approximately 110 g feed per 

day post‑peak. In warmer climates (or in cages), the normal post‑ 

peak feed intake may be closer to 105 g/day and closer to 115 

g/day in cooler climates (or free‑range) in which case the matrix 

should be adjusted accordingly. See also Figure 4. 

Age Observed feed intake 3 

Weeks 95 g/day 105 g/day 110 g/day 115 g/day 

18–32 Diet 1 Diet 2 



54+ Diet 9 Diet 10 Diet 11 

1 Note that, in most cases, only 4–5 diets are fed through the first 

lay cycle (i.e., the yellow highlighted Diets 1, 2, 4, 7, and 10; 

see text). 

2 Energy and nutrient recommendations for each phase are 

shown in the Hy‑Line Brown management guide, available on‑ 

line at www.hyline.com. 

3 The matrix should be adjusted according to actual, observed 

feed intakes for the specific flock, which may differ from those 

shown. 

The diet matrix shown above gives the farm manager 

11 diets to choose from. However, only 4 to 5 of those 

diets are used under normal conditions: 

• 

• 

• 

Diet 1 because of the relatively low feed intake and 

the importance of providing the hen with adequate 

nutrition during this period; 

Diet 2 because it is more economical to feed than 

Diet 1 once the feed intake has increased; and 

Diets 4, 7, and 10 to control egg weight and eggshell 

quality. 

Diets 3, 6, and 9 as well as Diets 5, 8, and 11 may never 

need to be fed, but are available from the feed mill in 

case the feed intake decreases or increases, respectively. 

These may only have to be fed for a short time until the 

feed intake returns to the “normal” 110 g/day again.


Item¹ Peaking 


Point of lay to 

32 Weeks 



33–44 Weeks 

88–85% egg 

production 

45–58 Weeks 

Less than 85% 


59+ Weeks 

Metabolizable energy, kcal/lb 1260–1300 1240–1300 1215–1300 1160–1285 





Lysine, mg/day 850 840 800 750 







Valine, mg/day 765 756 720 675 


Lysine, mg/day 931 920 876 821 







Valine, mg/day 844 834 794 744 


Calcium, 4 g/day 4.00 4.40 4.70 4.90 

Phosphorus (available), 5 mg/day 440 400 360 350 

Sodium, mg/day 180 180 180 180 



Choline, mg/day 100 100 100 100 

¹Consumption of crude protein, methionine+cystine, fat, linoleic acid, and/or energy may be changed to optimize egg size. 

²The recommended energy range is based on the energy values shown in the table on the inside back cover of this guide. 

Differences in the metabolizable energy value assigned to feed ingredients of the same name can differ substantially; in 

some cases, the recommended dietary energy content may have to be adjusted accordingly (see text). 

³Total amino acids are only appropriate with a corn and soybean diet; please formulate the diet on digestible amino acid 

basis if a substantial amount of other protein-supplying ingredients are used. 


5 Digestible phosphorus is sometimes preferred over available phosphorus. However, there are insufficient data available to 

make recommendations about a minimum dietary digestible-phosphorus content for Hy-Line birds. Instead, use the 

available-phosphorus recommendations and the available-phosphorus contents of feed ingredients (shown on the inside 

back cover of this guide). 

23

24 

Peaking; point of lay to 32 weeks 1 





Lysine, % 0.91 0.87 0.83 0.79 0.75 

Methionine, % 0.45 0.43 0.40 0.39 0.37 


Threonine, % 0.64 0.61 0.58 0.55 0.53 

Tryptophan, % 0.19 0.18 0.17 0.17 0.16 

Arginine, % 0.98 0.93 0.88 0.84 0.81 

Isoleucine, % 0.72 0.69 0.65 0.62 0.59 

Valine, % 0.82 0.78 0.74 0.71 0.68 


Lysine, % 1.00 0.95 0.90 0.86 0.82 

Methionine, % 0.48 0.46 0.43 0.41 0.40 


Threonine, % 0.75 0.71 0.68 0.65 0.62 

Tryptophan, % 0.23 0.22 0.21 0.20 0.19 

Arginine, % 1.05 1.00 0.95 0.91 0.87 

Isoleucine, % 0.78 0.74 0.70 0.67 0.64 

Valine, % 0.91 0.86 0.82 0.78 0.75 


Calcium, 4 % 4.30 4.08 3.88 3.70 3.54 


Sodium, % 0.19 0.18 0.17 0.17 0.16 

Chloride, % 0.19 0.18 0.17 0.17 0.16 




Above 93% to 89% egg production; 33–44 weeks 1 





Lysine, % 0.84 0.80 0.76 0.73 0.70 

Methionine, % 0.41 0.39 0.37 0.36 0.34 


Threonine, % 0.59 0.56 0.53 0.51 0.49 

Tryptophan, % 0.18 0.17 0.16 0.15 0.15 

Arginine, % 0.90 0.86 0.82 0.78 0.75 

Isoleucine, % 0.66 0.63 0.60 0.58 0.55 

Valine, % 0.76 0.72 0.69 0.66 0.63 


Lysine, % 0.92 0.88 0.84 0.80 0.77 

Methionine, % 0.44 0.42 0.40 0.39 0.37 


Threonine, % 0.69 0.66 0.63 0.60 0.58 

Tryptophan, % 0.21 0.20 0.19 0.18 0.18 

Arginine, % 0.97 0.92 0.88 0.84 0.81 

Isoleucine, % 0.71 0.68 0.65 0.62 0.60 

Valine, % 0.83 0.79 0.76 0.73 0.70 


Calcium, 4 % 4.40 4.19 4.00 3.83 3.67 


Sodium, % 0.18 0.17 0.16 0.16 0.15 

Chloride, % 0.18 0.17 0.16 0.16 0.15 



1Consumption of crude protein, methionine+cystine, fat, linoleic acid, and/or energy may be changed to optimize egg size. 

2The recommended energy range is based on the energy values shown in the table on the inside back cover of this guide. Differences in the metabolizable energy value assigned to feed ingredients of the same name can differ substantially; 


3Total amino acids are only appropriate with a corn and soybean meal diet; please formulate the diet on digestible amino acid basis if a substantial amount of other protein-supplying ingredients are used. 


5Digestible phosphorus is sometimes preferred over available phosphorus. However, there are insufficient data available to make recommendations about a minimum dietary digestible-phosphorus content for Hy-Line birds. Instead, use the 


25 

88–85% egg production; 45–58 weeks 1 





Lysine, % 0.80 0.76 0.73 0.70 0.67 

Methionine, % 0.39 0.37 0.36 0.34 0.33 


Threonine, % 0.56 0.53 0.51 0.49 0.47 

Tryptophan, % 0.17 0.16 0.15 0.15 0.14 

Arginine, % 0.86 0.82 0.78 0.74 0.71 

Isoleucine, % 0.63 0.60 0.57 0.55 0.53 

Valine, % 0.72 0.69 0.65 0.63 0.60 


Lysine, % 0.88 0.83 0.80 0.76 0.73 

Methionine, % 0.42 0.40 0.38 0.37 0.35 


Threonine, % 0.66 0.63 0.60 0.57 0.55 

Tryptophan, % 0.20 0.19 0.18 0.17 0.17 

Arginine, % 0.92 0.88 0.84 0.80 0.77 

Isoleucine, % 0.68 0.65 0.62 0.59 0.57 

Valine, % 0.79 0.76 0.72 0.69 0.66 


Calcium, 4 % 4.70 4.48 4.27 4.09 3.92 


Sodium, % 0.18 0.17 0.16 0.16 0.15 

Chloride, % 0.18 0.17 0.16 0.16 0.15 




Less than 85% egg production; 59+ weeks 1 





Lysine, % 0.76 0.72 0.69 0.66 0.63 

Methionine, % 0.37 0.35 0.34 0.32 0.31 


Threonine, % 0.53 0.50 0.48 0.46 0.44 

Tryptophan, % 0.16 0.15 0.14 0.14 0.13 

Arginine, % 0.81 0.77 0.74 0.70 0.67 

Isoleucine, % 0.60 0.57 0.54 0.52 0.50 

Valine, % 0.68 0.65 0.62 0.59 0.57 


Lysine, % 0.83 0.79 0.75 0.72 0.69 

Methionine, % 0.40 0.38 0.36 0.35 0.33 


Threonine, % 0.62 0.59 0.57 0.54 0.52 

Tryptophan, % 0.19 0.18 0.17 0.16 0.16 

Arginine, % 0.87 0.83 0.79 0.76 0.73 

Isoleucine, % 0.64 0.61 0.58 0.56 0.54 

Valine, % 0.75 0.72 0.68 0.65 0.63 


Calcium, 4 % 4.95 4.71 4.50 4.30 4.12 


Sodium, % 0.18 0.17 0.17 0.16 0.15 

Chloride, % 0.18 0.17 0.17 0.16 0.15 



1Consumption of crude protein, methionine+cystine, fat, linoleic acid, and/or energy may be changed to optimize egg size. 

2The recommended energy range is based on the energy values shown in the table on the inside back cover of this guide. Differences in the metabolizable energy value assigned to feed ingredients of the same name can differ substantially; 


3Total amino acids are only appropriate with a corn and soybean meal diet; please formulate the diet on digestible amino acid basis if a substantial amount of other protein-supplying ingredients are used. 


5Digestible phosphorus is sometimes preferred over available phosphorus. However, there are insufficient data available to make recommendations about a minimum dietary digestible-phosphorus content for Hy-Line birds. Instead, use the 


Hy-Line International 

1755 West Lakes parkway 

West Des Moines, Iowa 50266 uSA 

phone: +1 (515) 225-6030 

Fax: +1 (515) 225-6425 



Hy-Line is a brand name. numbers and letter identify varieties. 

®Registered Trademark of Hy-Line International, West Des Moines, Iowa u.S.A. 

© Hy-Line International 2010 

April 2010

Contents 







Health 



Vitamins 


—— 






—— 





Stock 





Brown 













For the Hy-Line Silver Brown, the following suggested diet program is used with success 























weeks of age. 
























Diet matrix 













Suggested diet matrix for Hy-Line Silver Brown. 1,2 The matrix is intended for 

a flock that normally consumes approximately 110 g feed per day post-peak. In warmer 




Age 






















g/day again.

Hy-Line International Online Management Guide

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