Artificial neural networks (ANN) have shown to be a powerful tool for system modeling in a wide range of applications. The focus of this study is on neural network applications to data analysis in egg production. An ANN model with two hidden layers, trained with a back propagation algorithm, successfully learned the relationship between the input (age of hen) and output (egg production) variabl...

The effects of housing systems on the calcium requirement for eggshell production, eggshell quality and on the breaking strength of the hen’s tibia were evaluated. Unenriched cages (UN) (24 laying hens), enriched cages (EN) (16 laying hens) and floor system (FS) (24 laying hens) were used in this experiment. The eggshell production of laying hens from 19 to 66 weeks of age was higher (P < 0.01)...

DeKalb XL chicks were given a beak trim at 6 d of age (6DP) with a 2.8-mm gauge and a beak trim at 11 wk (11WB) with a block cut approximately 2 mm anterior to the nasal openings. Corticosterone (CS) levels of the 6DP treatment were (P < or = 0.01) elevated above nontrimmed CS levels at 2 h posttrim; and BW and feed consumption (FC) of the 6DP were depressed until 8 wk of age. At 11 wk of age, ...

This study examined the long-term effects of housing system on several aspects of laying hen production. At 19 wks of age, 336 White Leghorn hens were placed, 3 birds per cage, into battery cages; 437 birds were assigned to an aviary with communal nests, ambulation areas, and three raised tiers with feeders and drinkers. Family groups were split between the two housing systems. The hens were ho...

artificial neural networks (ann) have shown to be a powerful tool for system modeling in a wide range of applications. the focus of this study is on neural network applications to data analysis in egg production. an ann model with two hidden layers, trained with a back propagation algorithm, successfully learned the relationship between the input (age of hen) and output (egg production) variabl...

This study was conducted to investigate the effect of egg size, age of hen and storage period of eggs before incubation on fertility, hatchability, embryo mortality and chick malformations in Japanese quail (Coturnix coturnix japonica). The study was carried out in quail farm located at Tanah Merah, Kelantan. Totally 1441 eggs of quail were set into the incubator by applying 9 treatments groups...

this experiment was conducted to determine the effects of either twice or thrice a day feeding regimens on performance and as well on plasma hormone and metabolite levels of broiler breeder hens during 24 to 38 wk of their productive age. breeder pullets were provided form a commercial flock, and distributed in experimental units, in a compeletly randomized design with three feeding regimens (t...

Dietary manipulation can substantially lower ammonia emissions from laying hen manure. However, such dietary changes would be of little value if the changes cause inferior egg production and hen performance. Therefore, the objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of a diet containing EcoCalTM (gypsum and zeolite), which has been shown to lower ammonia emission in laboratory-scale test...

to determine the effect of graded levels of low glucosinolate CM, up to complete replacement of soybean meal, on the performance of laying hens. Wheat-based diets were formulated on a digestible amino acid basis with 4 levels of CM (0 to 16.7%) and fed to 3 commercial laying hen strains, Lohmann Brown (LOH), ISA Brown (ISA), and Lohmann LSL (LSL). Rations were fed from 19 to 59 wks of age, with...