Analysis of the egg production pattern in a tropical wet climate: influences of the phase of production and the estimated period of oviposition.

The egg production data of a commercial strain of 400 Shaver laying hens were used to study the changes in the percentage/hen/day production from 1 to 48 weeks in lay, applying both simple linear and logarithmic models, which corresponded best to the real conditions. The maximum rate of egg production occurred in the first 12 weeks of lay, followed by a gradual decrease, which became significantly pronounced in the 25 to 48 week production phase. As the hens advanced in age, significant changes were observed in the trend and period of oviposition indicative of an increasingly delayed laying period.