Poultry Judging Practice Test

What best describes the reproductive cycle of an egg-laying hen?

1. Continuous

2. Cyclic with breaks

3. Seasonal

4. Annual

The correct answer is: Cyclic with breaks

The reproductive cycle of an egg-laying hen is best described as cyclic with breaks. This means that hens have a regular pattern of producing eggs, but there are periods when they do not lay, often influenced by factors such as light exposure, age, and health. During a typical laying cycle, hens produce eggs in a sequence that typically lasts for several days, followed by a pause in laying. This cycle can be influenced by environmental conditions, such as the amount of daylight. For instance, hens generally lay more eggs during the longer days of spring and summer, while laying may decrease in the shorter days of fall and winter, creating a cyclic pattern interspersed with breaks. In contrast, continuous would imply that hens lay eggs without any interruption, which is not the case. Seasonal suggests that egg production is primarily linked to specific seasons, while annual would imply a yearly cycle without variation, neither of which accurately encompasses the periodic nature of egg-laying in hens. The cyclic with breaks description encapsulates the normal biological rhythm of egg production seen in hens, highlighting both their active laying periods and the intervals of rest.