Physiology, Endocrinology, and Reproduction: Reproduction

conditions throughout the test. The hens were provided nutrients to meet the needs of all the hens based upon compilation of the breeder recommendations. The eggs from these strains were collected every 28 days from the previous 24 hrs production. Once collected the quality and compositional properties of the eggs such as pH, solids, whipping height, Haugh units and angel food cakes were evaluated. Angel food cake volumes had greater variation in the fi rst laying cycle (fi rst 12 months) than in the second laying cycle (second 12 month period). None of the other quality measurements analyzed were a good predictor of cake volume. Egg weights were also infl uenced by strain. The strains with the highest (P<0.05) egg weights were the W-98, and ISA White at 61.2 and 61.0 g, respectively. The lowest egg weights were associated with the W-36 hen’s eggs weighing 57.1 g during the fi rst cycle.