The growth curves of egg pullets of semi heavy: Hy Line Brown (HLB) and Hisex Brown (HSB) and light strains: Hy Line W36 (HLW36) and Hisex White (HSW) were evaluated. Three hundred birds of each strain were assigned to a completely randomized design with four replicates of 75 birds. Body weight (BW), feather weight (FW) and body depositions of protein, fat, ash and water were weekly measured. The growth curves were determined by Gompertz function with data collections. The semi heavy birds were later than the light ones for BW, with greater body growth rates and weights at maturity. The HLW36 were 64.23 g lighter at maturity than the HSW. Data obtained for feather growth and protein deposition were similar, but the semi heavy birds showed greater weight at maturity (WM) than the light ones. However, for these components, the birds Hy Line had larger depositions than Hisex. HLW36 strain had smaller feather rate at maturity, making it three days later than HSW. The lowest protein deposition in the end of growth period caused the deviation of energy ingested for fat deposition in HSB birds and overestimated the WM in relation to HLB birds. Hy Line birds had later body ash composition and showed greater WM than Hisex. Among the studied variables, Hy Line birds had always heavier WM, however, the body water content of Hisex birds was greater and the maximum rates at maturity were later. This fact explains the similarity in the weight gain among the studied strains, once other body components were greater for Hy Line birds.
body composition; Gompertz function; laying birds; pullets
