Determinación de factores que afectan la producción de huevos en granjas de reproductoras pesadas en Pedro Carbo y Jipijapa

Abstract

Egg production in broiler breeder farms is a pillar of sustainability for the poultry industry, as it is essential for broiler production. However, factors such as body development during rearing, feeding, uniformity, and operational management generate a gap between actual production (≈180.8 HTAA) and the expected genetic potential (202.4 HTAA). This difference impacts profitability and requires the purchase of outside broilers, with estimated losses of more than $870,000 annually. This project evaluated 12 flocks (Ross 308 AP and Cobb 500R) raised between 2023 and 2025, using data from internal databases on body weight, feed intake, mortality, stocking density, uniformity, water consumption, production percentage, and staff interviews. Therefore, descriptive analyses and linear regression models were applied to identify explanatory variables. Flocks that reached target weight in the rearing and nursery stages showed higher production and better laying persistence (165.4–188.0 HTAA). Key variables were feed intake, flock uniformity, and abdominal fat reserve; Pedro Carbo showed greater productive stability than Jipijapa. The model showed that age reduces production, whereas adequate feeding and body condition improve it. It is concluded that improving monitoring of target weight, uniformity, and harvest management (8 harvests/day are recommended and maintaining 3 people per house until week 45), along with nutritional adjustments, achieve greater productive efficiency in the Jipijapa and Pedro Carbo broiler breeder farms. Keywords: Total number of eggs per hen, breeder pullets, management, feeding