PPT 16 Commercial Egg Production Flashcards
when do you move pullets in to laying cages?
14-18 weeks
what is a big indicator on when to move a pullet?
large body weight
when do you want to photostimulate pullets to initiate egg production?
a week before moving them into laying cages
when does the production period for commercial layers typically begin?
18 weeks of age
when the flock first enters egg production what is the rate of lay?
10-20%
when is peak production reached?
when production reaches 90% or around 30-32 weeks of age.
post peak occurs after 32 weeks of age. what happens to egg production?
it decreases continually to ~75-80% around 60-70 weeks of age.
what is molting?
dropping and replacing of feathers and regress reproductive tract
replacing a flock is the second most expensive cost in production. T or F?
True
what does inducing molting do?how long does it last?
gives birds rest, lose body weight, and enter new laying cycle. it lasts about 6-8 weeks.
Name some ways to induce molting.
darken house, limit nutrients, limit food.
how are cages aligned in a laying house?
slanted on wire mesh floors.
eggs are mechanically collected and moved into what at the end of each level of cages?
plastic egg handlers
T or F. Eggs are rarely handled by humans.
True
how do eggs make it to the washers?
conveyor belts
eggs are mechanically washed and sanitized in what temperature of water?
120 degrees F
At the first egg grading process, eggs are evaluated by automated, computerized detection system and graded into what categories?
AA, A, B, and Loss Quality Standards
Overall grade of egg is based on what?
internal and external consistencies(albumen, yolk, air cell, shape, shell soundness, and cleanliness)
minimum sizes for each egg size for the following is: Jumbo? Extra Large? Large? Medium? Small? Pee wee?
Jumbo - 30oz./dzn Extra Large - 27oz./dzn Large - 24oz./dzn Medium - 21oz./dzn Small - 18oz./dzn Pee wee - 15oz./dzn
after the graders eggs go where?
the packaging area of the plant
when being transported on brushes what are the two options for the eggs after being graded?
they will be either placed in cartons or sent to the breakers.
why are plastic containers used in the plant?
sanitation and recycling purposes
what does an egg breaker do?
separates yolk from the albumen.
state the parameters for which egg yolks are pasteurized.
a temperature of 145 degrees F is kept for 7 minutes per 3,000 pounds of egg.
