| Abstract: | Nonlaying intervals were induced in 6 group of 30 hens with chlormadinone acetate (CAP), with a 7th groups serving as a control. 3 groups were treated for 10 days and 3 for 20 days, each group getting a different dosage of CAP. 1.2% of the hens were lost per month in the control group, with losses in the other 6 groups ranging from .6 to 1.7%/month. The length of the nonlaying period corresponded in 5 groups to the dosage and length of CAP treatment. The groups treated with the lowest daily dosages in the 10- and 20-day groups did not experience a complete nonlaying interval. The CAP treatment caused thickening of the egg shells but did not alter the weight of the eggs. The hens treated with CAP lost most of their feathers during the treatment. The longer, more concentrated dosage of CAP caused egg production to decrease more quickly, a prolonged nonlaying interval, and a higher rate of egg production following the nonlaying interval. |
