Poultry Judging Practice Test

In an egg pullet operation, leghorn pullets are raised from hatchlings to approximately what age before being moved to a laying operation?

1. 16 weeks

2. 18 weeks

3. 20 weeks

4. 22 weeks

The correct answer is: 18 weeks

In an egg pullet operation, Leghorn pullets are typically raised to around 18 weeks of age before transitioning them to a laying operation. This timeframe allows the pullets to reach adequate maturity and physical development necessary for efficient egg production. By 18 weeks, they generally have developed enough to begin laying eggs in a consistent manner, making this the most common age for transfer to a laying facility. Different breeds may have variations in the age they start laying, but for Leghorn pullets specifically, 18 weeks strikes a balance between ensuring that the birds are fully prepared for laying and optimizing the overall production timeline for the operation. Other age options like 16 weeks may be insufficient for readiness, while ages like 20 or 22 weeks could delay the start of egg production, affecting the efficiency of the operation.