%A AEO Malau-Aduli
%A GS Bawa
%A K Joel
%J Animal Science Journal
%T Factors affecting egg production and layer bird mortality in private poultry farms in the sub-humid zone of Nigeria
%X Egg production and layer bird mortality data obtained from 5 different private farms in Zaria within the sub-humid zone of Nigeria, over a six-year period (1994 - 1999) were subjected to least squares analysis to determine the effects of age, season and year. It was demonstrated that age had a highly significant influence (P<0.01) on egg production in that birds falling within the age group 30 - 39 weeks produced the highest number of eggs (3255 plus or minus 109), while birds over 100 weeks of age produced the least number of eggs (1206 plus or minus 412). Similarly, seasonal variation in egg production was also significant (P<0.05); the highest egg production (2926 plus or minus 90) was obtained during the early dry season, and the lowest (2423 plus or minus 95) during the late wet season. Mortality was generally low (0.0 - 0.9%) and not significantly different from 20 - 49 weeks of age (P>0.05). However, from 50 to 100 weeks of age, highly significant differences (P<0.01) in mortality were observed with 90 - 100 weeks age group recording the highest mortality of 15.7 plus or minus 1.3 %.  Furthermore, yearly variations in egg production and mortality were highly significant (P<0.01) with 1999 producing the most eggs (4410 plus or minus 102) and recording the least mortality (1.4%). It was concluded that due to the significant seasonal, age and yearly variations, data on egg production and mortality need to be adjusted for these effects for unbiased comparison between and within farms. Furthermore, farmers can make adequate feeding preparations commensurate with each season for optimal egg production.
%N 3
%K Age
Egg production
Mortality
Season
Sub-humid zone
%P 239-242
%V 74
%D 2003
%R 10.1046/j.1344-3941.2003.00111.x
%L epprod597