Why do brown layer hens require higher feed intake compared to white layer hens, and how does this affect their economic FCR?

The physiological difference between commercial brown and white layers is rooted in their genetic design. A mature brown layer hen weighs approximately 1.9 to 2.1 kilograms, whereas a white layer (like Hy-Line W-36) weighs around 1.6 to 1.7 kilograms. This larger body mass increases the brown hen's daily basal metabolic rate, requiring an additional 10 to 12 grams of feed per day solely for body maintenance (averaging a daily intake of 115 to 120 grams compared to 105 to 110 grams for white layers). Consequently, the cumulative Feed Conversion Ratio (FCR) of brown layers is slightly higher, typically sitting around 2.15 to 2.25 kg of feed per dozen eggs, compared to 2.05 to 2.10 for white layers. However, in major Pakistani B2B wholesale markets like Sahiwal and Multan, this minor economic disadvantage is completely offset by the premium pricing of brown eggs, which have stronger shells that survive rough transport and are highly preferred by consumers. Farmers can study breed genetics in the Poultry Encyclopedia, source premium feeds on Poultry Plaza, compare daily mandi prices on Poultry Rates, and list laying flocks on Murghi Mandi.