Cargill has introduced the Reveal™ noninvasive near-infrared sensor to allow evaluation of the mass of abdominal fat pads.

In the literature accompanying the release, Cargill noted that “overdeveloped fat pads in laying hens are problematic for long-term egg production and optimal liver function.”  This may be the case with broiler breeder hens and caged table-egg production flocks.  It most certainly is not a problem with aviary-housed egg production hens that have an energy requirement, in all probability, above current breed specifications.  Veterinarians consistently report small or absent fat pads in high-producing aviary housed flocks through 40 weeks of age. 

The Reveal™ system should provide additional information to nutritionists in determining both the formulation and allocation of diets for a specific complex given housing system, insulation and weather conditions. This is achieved by correlating the trajectory of body weight, case weight, H/W egg production and food intake over successive weeks.