Response of Egg Production and Shell Quality to Increases in Environmental Temperature in two Age Groups of Hens

Eight-month and 14-month old laying hens were exposed to six abrupt increases in environmental temperature from 21.5 to 35° C. The egg production and shell quality of the older birds were more severely affected than that of the young birds. It appears the functions of both the ovary and the oviduct are depressed in high environmental temperatures.