The Relationship between Body Temperature and Egg Production Determined by a Thermal Camera in Laying Hens

This study was carried out to investigate the culling of low-producing hens from a laying flock by objective methods. A total of 16 commercial laying hybrid breeds (Lohmann White and Lohmann Brown) at 60 weeks of age were used in this study. The body temperature of the hens used during the trial period was obtained from the head and foot regions with the help of a thermal camera, and their egg production was associated with these values. Considering egg production, the differences between the hybrids were statistically significant (P < 0.001). In terms of temperature values taken from the morning foot section, the differences between the hybrids were not statistically significant (P > 0.05) during the experimental period. Considering the temperature values taken in the afternoon, the differences between the hybrids were statistically significant (P < 0.01). ROC analysis was utilized to determine the relationship between egg production and body temperature. According to the results of the test, the critical point between the temperature of the morning (head region) and the egg yield was determined. Accordingly, the hens with a temperature higher than 38.3 °C were laying more eggs than those with a temperature lower than 38.3 °C. The trial lasted 16 weeks, and in conclusion, we can infer from the experiment conducted during this study that the temperature value taken from the head section in the morning by a thermal camera may be used to identify the low producing hens in laying flocks.

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