At this time, we are in the process of increasing our capacities for the testing of pure lines. The brand new breeding farm in Canada includes 33,000 single bird cages, 6,000 group cages and around 7,500 single units for pedigree males. In addition to the other pure line farms in Denmark and the area of Cuxhaven, our breeding program will be based on an even broader basis to generate a lot of breeding progress also in the future.

A very comprehensive and precise laying performance test has been established in single bird units, which dier from each other in the various countries. Daily data recording of each individual pedigree layer is one of the secrets to our success. However, not only single bird units but also group cages in which members of the same family are housed, are among some of the very important breeding tools. These group cages oer a selection tool to improve behaviour traits as e.g. plumage condition which is not possible in single units. Feather pecking and ranks in hierarchy can only be exercised in a group. Further behaviour traits, e.g. nest acceptance are captured in a transponder-based group housing system. Testing with this system is also helpful for comparing performances of full-sibs in commercial oor housing and single bird units in order to be aware of potential genotype-environment interactions. These very comprehensive performance tests of pure lines are rounded o by socalled “eld tests” at commercial laying farms.

Therefore, cross-breeds are tested in dierent continents and in dierent climate zones. In addition to eld tests in Germany and Spain, we have also housed testing birds in Russia and Columbia.

All together, the captured data is implemented in our data base system and combined with additional information based on DNA analysis. Since DNA information is available, males can be selected at an earlier age and it is possible to dierentiate among full brothers, which was not possible in the past. The combination of traditional phenotypic performance testing and genome wide analysis is a promising tool for enhancing the genetic progress for line combinations with a performance prole tailored to specic requirements.

According to this very broad-based performance testing of pure-line and cross-line hens, LOHMANN layers are very adaptable to varying housing systems, climate conditions and consumer preferences. Consumer habits and preferences for specic egg characteristics like shell colour and egg size also vary between countries and even between consumers within a single country. Japan, for example, has maintained one of the highest levels of consumption with more than 300 eggs per capita for decades now. The custom of breaking a raw egg over a bowl of rice for breakfast helps to explain the focus on egg quality: white-shelled eggs with superior internal egg quality and guaranteed freedom from Salmonella. White eggs are also preferred in North and Central America, the Middle East, India, Taiwan and the Philippines, whereas brown eggs are preferred in most of Latin America, Europe and China. Tinted eggs, produced from crosses between White Leghorns and brown-egg breeds, are popular in Japan and China, but seldom seen in Europe.

For the foreseeable future, we can safely assume that general breeding goals such as egg number, feed eciency and egg quality traits will



remain priorities. Behaviour patterns and especially behaviour anomalies are likely to get more attention outside the Western world. Suitability for oor housing and free-range systems has become more important and this includes attention to a whole range of traits: acceptance of nests and free-range, persistent plumage cover to the end of lay, resistance to common diseases and minimal tendency to develop feather-pecking or cannibalism. National laws and regulations will re- ect continuing attempts to dene priorities and “sustainability” in terms of adequate nutrition for the growing human population, protection of the environment and natural resources, ethical standards for animal farming, and – last but not least – economics.

To supply the best possible combination for each market with specied optimal egg weight and most common housing system, LOHMANN TIERZUCHT oers six dierent strain crosses, which are all selected with focus on ecient egg production, but with dierent emphasis on individual selection traits. Quite new on the list of commercially available LOHMANN layers is the CONVERTER bird. Lines of LSL and LB CONVERTER were selected on an outstanding feed conversion ratio for generations. Compared to the LSL and LB CLASSIC layer, the CONVERTER lines lay around three eggs lesser and have a slightly lower egg weight. However, they have their winning points in feed consumption, which is 5 to 7 g lesser per day as compared to LSL and LB CLASSIC. This results in an excellent feed conversion ratio of less than 2 kg for one kilogram of eggs. In contrast to this very ecient layer, LOHMANN TIERZUCHT is oering another new bird to the market. LOHMANN DUAL is the counterpart of LB CONVERTER.LOHMANN DUAL has a much higher body weight and is one reaction to hinder the euthanisation of day-old male layer hybrids. LOHMANN TIERZUCHT has therefore combined broiler and layer genetics to breed a dual-purpose chicken. The female lays around 250 eggs in an annual cycle length whereas the male is fattened up to 10 or 12 weeks of age, to supply a niche market with very tasty chicken meat.

Altogether, LOHMANN Genetics covers a big variety of dierent requirements and specic “wishes” that we’ve only been able to achieve owing to our good positioning on the market and sucient testing capacities. It gives us great pride to announce the inauguration of our brand new pure line farm in Canada and also for our investments in the expansion of our facilities in Cuxhaven. Only in this way, it is possible for us to integrate new lines in our breeding program and be prepared for the challenges of the future.

W. Icken, M. Schmutz, R. Preisinger – Genetics