The influence of environment upon the performance of the laying hen

The total production of eggs in the United States has almost doubled In the past twenty years. Competition has decreased the margin of income between the post of production and the sale price of eggs to a point where only those poultry men following desirable management practice may expect satisfactory returns from their investments. This margin has been small during the past year as it has been throughout many previous periods in the history of the poultry industry. Poultrymen have tried to overcome this problem with efficient feeding methods, improved breeding, effective disease control, and better management.

Among the older precepts of poultry husbandry are the fact that the hen will produce more eggs during early spring; the quality of eggs reaching the consumers is considered at a peak in the cooler months of the year, with the best quality and the highest rate of production expected from pullet flocks during this period. Environmental factors common to these seasons have been considered responsible for these relationships.

Temperature, humidity, light, and air movement are some of the controlling environmental factors. An ideal environment embodying optimum effect of these influences has not been conclusively determined.