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Understanding Genetic Potential

Breeding Chickens for Egg Production: A Balanced Approach

The topic of breeding and selecting chicken breeds for egg production often sparks diverse opinions. At Hendrix Genetics, our strategy focuses on maximizing the number of high-quality eggs produced by each housed hen while prioritizing animal welfare and sustainability.

Laying hens capable of maintaining egg production into older ages—thanks to their physical resilience—exemplify this approach. Healthier hens not only improve animal welfare but also exhibit better livability, which translates to more eggs per hen. By emphasizing a balanced selection process, we account for feed intake, feed conversion, and egg quality, both inside and out. This ensures that the eggs meet consumer expectations, as they are often the sole visible product in the supply chain.

The Sustainability Advantage

Sustainability in poultry farming is multi-faceted, but our breeding program demonstrates that selecting for higher egg production per hen housed leads to significant benefits. Even for breeds producing slightly smaller eggs, higher overall production results in increased total egg mass. For example, a single missed egg per hen equates to over 60 days of egg production lost when considering a one-gram difference in egg size.

Breeding hens for consistent production while maintaining steady feed intake enhances feed efficiency. When flocks remain productive for longer, feed costs are distributed over a greater number of eggs, boosting overall efficiency and profitability.

Livability: A Key Focus

Mortality is both costly and discouraging for producers. No farmer enjoys the task of removing deceased birds. By prioritizing improved livability in our breeding goals, we aim to reduce mortality rates. Over decades of selection, even for traits with low heritability, significant progress has been made.

Our selection metrics account for every chick placed and every hen housed, ensuring that the outcomes are economically and ethically sound. This focus supports the overall wellbeing of the flock, benefiting producers and hens alike.

Egg and Hen Quality

Producing the highest number of first-quality eggs per hen is central to our breeding philosophy. Robust hens are vital for achieving this goal, and intensive selection ensures exceptional egg quality, both internally and externally. As eggs must endure transport and storage before reaching consumers, maintaining their integrity is critical.

Recent advancements in egg phenotyping have enhanced the accuracy of data used in our breeding programs. This data drives progress in egg quality and ensures that our breeding selections deliver durable, high-quality eggs.

Managing Genetic Potential on Farms

While our breeding programs lay the foundation, proper farm management plays a critical role in realizing the full potential of these genetics. Optimal rearing practices are essential for a profitable laying cycle.

The Importance of the Rearing Period

The rearing period, which spans roughly 17 weeks, is crucial for developing high-quality pullets. A well-reared pullet sets the stage for a productive laying cycle, with targets increasingly extending toward 100 weeks of age without molting. Achieving these milestones depends on meeting bodyweight and uniformity goals early in life.

During the first weeks, management should focus on rapid, consistent chick growth. As the rearing period progresses, developing feed intake capacity becomes critical. Uniformity within the flock ensures better laying performance, as it facilitates effective light stimulation and consistent egg production.

Key Objectives in the Rearing Period

  1. Rapid Growth: Achieve body weight targets by 5 weeks.
  2. Uniformity: Ensure consistent development across the flock.
  3. Livability: Maintain high survival rates.

The rearing process includes several developmental stages:

  • Weeks 1–3: Focus on organ and immune system development.
  • Weeks 3–6: Support rapid growth of skeleton and muscles, with body weight at 5-6 weeks being critical.
  • Weeks 7–15: Growth slows, with skeleton development nearly complete by 12 weeks.
  • Weeks 16–18: Final stage of reproductive development and sexual maturity.

Uniformity is a key factor throughout, as poor early development impacts long-term performance. Proper feed distribution, sufficient feeders and drinkers, and attentive management contribute to maintaining flock uniformity.


By combining advanced breeding techniques with meticulous management practices, we ensure that laying hens deliver consistent, high-quality production while supporting sustainability and animal welfare. Together, these efforts help egg producers achieve long-term success.

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