HERFS/AUTUMN BONUS TYDSKRIF 2026

The Lohmann breed is a newer breed, first developed in Germany in the 1980s by crossing the Rhode Island Red with White Rock breeds. Again, the goal was to produce a breed capable of high egg production with an added emphasis on good shell quality. The DeKalb or Amberlink layer breed was developed in America in the 1940s and the breed was launched in the 1980s. The breed was designed to have good laying persistence using the Leghorn breed as one of the base breeds. When comparing the breed size by weight at point of lay (Graph 1), on average, the Lohmann breed is slightly lighter than the Hy-Line and Amberlink breeds. However, at the end of production, the breeds all have a similar weight just above 2 000 g. Within the different breeds, the brown line of the Hy-Line and Amberlink has a heavier target weight at point of lay compared to the silver, but is lighter at the end of production. The opposite is true for the Lohmann breed. Graph 1: Breed body weights at the point of lay and end of production Housing, environment, and liveability Both the Hy-Line and the Lohmann breeds have been developed globally across a range of environments, but tend to produce better in cage or barn systems. The Hy-Line is known as a versatile breed and can be found in hot, tropical climates as well as cold climates. The Hy-Line breed can be more sensitive to heat when compared to the Amberlink. It is noted that the Lohmann tends to perform better in moderate climates and well-managed housing systems, although this breed can be sensitive to ventilation. While the Amberlink was not bred for any specific climate, it has been described as a hardy bird with good adaptability. A highlight of the Amberlink breed is good feather retention, which could make this breed more well-suited to outdoor/free-range production systems where birds are exposed to the elements. Improved feathering is likely to help the birds tolerate both cold and heat stress better. This can also lead to better cull prices in countries such as South Africa, where there is a live cull market. www.agribonus.co.za Herfs/Autumn 2026 BONUS 81