Poultry Judging Practice Test

On Leghorn-strain pullet farms, birds are raised from hatchlings to approximately how many weeks of age before being placed in the layer house?

1. 12 to 13 weeks

2. 14 to 15 weeks

3. 16 to 17 weeks

4. 18 to 19 weeks

The correct answer is: 16 to 17 weeks

Leghorn-strain pullets are typically raised until they reach about 16 to 17 weeks of age before being placed in the layer house. At this age, the pullets have developed sufficiently to transition into laying production. They are physically mature enough to start laying eggs, which usually begins around 18 to 20 weeks of age. Raising the birds for 16 to 17 weeks allows them to receive the necessary nutrition and care to promote growth and readiness for egg production, ensuring optimum health and productivity once they enter the laying phase. Starting them in the layer house too early may lead to lower egg production and overall health issues. The other age ranges are generally beyond the optimal age for transferring the pullets to the layer house, making them less suitable for efficient management and production cycles.