Breeding for 500 eggs in 100 weeks

The onset of lay has long been an important characteristic for birds to mark the start of their productive life. Extending the laying cycle seems to be a possible and attractive new approach however. Institut de Sélection Animale (ISA) has the breeding programme in place to further improve laying persistency and egg quality at the end of the laying cycle. Longer cycles for birds, producing 500 eggs in 100 weeks, are well within reach. By Frans van Sambeek, Technical Director ISA, Hendrix Genet