An assessment of flock uniformity is especially important one week prior to planned light stimulation. If the flock has a CV% of >10 (or a uniformity of <70%) there will be variation in female sexual development. Light stimulation must be delayed to give the less mature females within the population time to mature.

If a flock with poor uniformity is given light stimulation too early there will be: • Increased prolapses and associated peritonitis • Reduced hatching eggs due to increased reject eggs • A poorer peak and poorer persistency of lay. • A flock that is difficult to manage

In this series:

• Why grade males at 28 days?
• Not re-drawing body-weight profiles at 105 days of age will affect sexual maturity