Feeding management: egg preparation for laying

Good feeding management before and after egg production is a reliable guarantee for high and stable egg production. Therefore, farmers must start from the following aspects to strengthen the feeding management before and after egg production.

1.Flock transfer

The transfer of reserve hens to laying houses is called flock transfer. For large-scale chicken farms, especially those with an all-in, all-out system, the task is heavy and the flock is stressed, so close planning and comprehensive arrangements are needed.

1.1 Time of flock transfer

In general, hens should be transferred to the laying sheds at the end of their breeding period. You should choose the right time to transfer the flock, from 17 to 18 weeks of age for the early ones to 20 weeks of age for the late ones. If the flock is transferred too early, the chickens will be small in weight and often get out of the cage and run around, which will bring inconvenience to the management and even drown when they fall into the manure ditch. Too late, because most hens ovaries are mature, the transfer of the flock, due to scratching chickens, frightened and other reasons, easy to cause follicle rupture and cause yolk peritonitis.

1.2. Notes on flock transfer

① Before transferring the flock, you should stop feeding for about 10 hours to allow them to finish the leftover material, which can also reduce the damage caused by the transfer of the flock. In the cold season, in order to reduce the temperature difference between the two sheds, raise the temperature of the laying sheds appropriately.

②The best time to transfer the flock is at night when visibility is low, when it is convenient to catch chickens and avoid chickens from being scared and crushed to death. When catching chickens, the action should be light, and it is better to catch the chickens’ legs. Do not grab the head, neck and wings.

③During the transportation process, don’t make the chickens suffer from heat and cold, and don’t take too long to prevent lack of food and water.

④In order to reduce stress, do not vaccinate before transferring the flock.

⑤ Combine the flock transfer with a thorough selection and elimination of chickens that do not meet the weight requirements, slow growth and development and those with disabilities from the flock.

2.Change the feed

Feeding before the start of laying not only affects the rise of egg production rate and the duration of peak egg production, but also affects the dead panning rate, so change the feed at the right time (from breeding material to pre-laying material).

3.Increase light

The light needed for laying hens should be 12–13 hours, with the start of laying, the light should be increased gradually, adding one or twenty minutes every week until 16.5 hours, and the process should only be increased and not reduced, the effect of adding light in the morning is better than at night.

4.Reduce stress

Before and after the start of production should maintain the stability of the environment in the chicken house to minimize the generation of stress. At the same time, check the completion of immunization and deworming plan, and monitor the antibody level if necessary to ensure the health of chickens after the start of production.

 

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