Defective egg production in a population of dwarf white leghorns1

Abstract

1. The incidence of defective eggs during the first 60 weeks of age increased with time due to significant increases in broken and membranous eggs in a population of dwarf White Leghorn hens. 2. The production of double‐yolked eggs/100 hen d, high during the initial weeks of lay, rapidly declined and disappeared by 30 weeks of age. 3. The frequencies of broken, membranous and soft‐shelled eggs were significantly correlated with each other and with the frequency of multiple daily ovulations indicating a common aetiology for these defective egg types. 4. Double‐yolked eggs were produced by the heavier, earlier‐maturing pullets in the population. 5. Normal egg production in dwarf White Leghorns may be enhanced by reducing the incidence of defective eggs.