Compartmental Model Analysis of Poultry Egg Production Curves

Abstract

A derivation of the egg production model Yt = A(e−k2 − e−k1), where k1 and k2 are instantaneous rates of increase and decrease in egg production, respectively, and A is the maximum potential egg production, is presented in which it is assumed that hens begin production at a maximum laying rate and at starting times which are exponentially distributed within a hen-group. Part records are used to predict 30-week total group production.