Hy-Line W-36 Layer: Egg Production Curve & Nutrition Guide
Comprehensive technical manual covering Hy-Line W-36 white egg production standards, small body size feed efficiency, and layer management.
Scientific Overview
The Hy-Line W-36 is the world's most widely farmed commercial white egg laying hen. Bred by Hy-Line International, the W-36 is famous for its compact body weight (1.35–1.45 kg at 18 weeks), extraordinary feed efficiency per dozen eggs, calm temperament, and shell strength persistency over a long 80-week laying cycle.
Hy-Line W-36 Overview & Performance Characteristics
The Hy-Line W-36 is defined as a commercial Single Comb White Leghorn hybrid layer strain engineered for minimum body maintenance feed costs and maximum white egg yield (295–310 eggs per hen housed to 72 weeks).
Because of its small body frame, the W-36 consumes only 95–105 grams of feed per day — saving 10–15% in feed costs compared to brown egg layer hybrids.
Egg Yield & Laying Curve Standards
Hy-Line W-36 production standards across a 72-week laying period:
- Age at 50% Lay: 140–145 days (20–21 weeks)
- Peak Hen-Day Production (HDP%): 94–96% at 26–28 weeks
- Total Eggs per Hen Housed (72 wks): 305–315 eggs
- Average Egg Weight: 61–63 grams
- Daily Feed Consumption: 98–104 grams/hen/day
Track your flock's lay rate curve using our Hen-Day Production Calculator.
Hy-Line W-36 vs. Lohmann Brown: Comparison
| Metric | Hy-Line W-36 (White) | Lohmann Brown |
|---|---|---|
| Egg Color | White | Brown |
| Body Weight (18 wks) | 1.35 kg | 1.60 kg |
| Daily Feed Intake | 98–104 g/day | 110–115 g/day |
| Feed per Dozen Eggs | 1.28–1.35 kg | 1.42–1.50 kg |
Calcium & Pre-Lay Nutrition
Because the W-36 has a smaller feed intake capacity, layer diets must feature higher nutrient concentrations (amino acid & calcium density). Calcium must be maintained at 4.0–4.3% with coarse limestone particles (2–4mm) fed in late afternoon to support overnight shell formation. Formulate layer rations with our Feed Formulation Mixer.
All scientific data, diagnostic criteria, and performance benchmarks presented on this page are derived from published peer-reviewed journals and official veterinary codes:
- Avian Pathology & Diagnostics: World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH, 2023). Manual of Diagnostic Tests and Vaccines for Terrestrial Animals. Paris, France.
- Poultry Diseases & Histology: Swayne, D.E., et al. (2020). Diseases of Poultry (14th ed.). Wiley-Blackwell / American Association of Avian Pathologists.
- Nutrition & Feed Chemistry: Leeson, S. & Summers, J.D. (2001). Commercial Poultry Nutrition (3rd ed.). University Books, Guelph, Ontario.
- Commercial Breed Standards: Aviagen (2024). Ross 308 & Cobb 500 Broiler Performance Objectives. / Lohmann Breeders (2024). Lohmann Brown Management Guide.