Poultry Layer Management,A Guide To Optimal Egg Production. MANAGEMENT OF LAYERSMaximum hen- housed egg production with fair egg size, feed efficiency and minimum mortality are the prime goals of layer farming. Following are the vital aspects of efficient layer management: Segregation and Transfer of Pullets. Ready to lay pullets should be shifted from grower to layer sheds around 1. During pullet rearing it is quite possible that inspite of providing highly suitable management facilities, some pullets may lack in size and development of body. In real sense, genetics itself allows one to two per cent culling. Two poultry houses, 5,000 laying hens and 1,5 million eggs annually make a difference in Swaziland, a country. Considerations related to organic poultry production are presented. Common poultry housing approaches are also discussed. Alternative Poultry Production Systems Layers Meat Chickens Free-Range Systems. These segregated pullets are fed 2 per cent extra protein along with the additional minerals and vitamins including liver tonics to gain normal growth within 3- 4 weeks. The pullets which are blind, crippled, emaciated, injured, and infected are discarded at the time of shifting. Floor, Feed and Water Space. Floor space of . Breeders are provided with little higher space of 2. About 1. 2 to 1. 5 cm linear feeder space and 2. On deep- litter system one laying nest for every 4 to 5 hens with perch at entrance is provided for comfortable laying and clean egg production. Both higher and lower temperature affect the egg production and quality of eggs adversely. Egg production starts declining when temperature rises more than 2. The higher temperature in general is more harmful to birds than lower temperature. The effects of cold whether become more prominent when temperature drops below 1. The day length is considered to be 1. The total artificial light may be divided equally in morning and evening. The appropriate lighting schedule stimulates egg production by 4 to 6 per cent, while irregularities in lighting can cause drop in egg production. The intensity of light at birds eye level is important to stimulate egg production, which is 0. A bulb of 4. 0 watts with reflector hanged at height of 2. But the bulbs must be cleaned for dirt periodically (once in 1. Layers should never be exposed to reduced light schedule which lowers down production considerably. Breeder management is similar to layer management except their diet contains extra protein, Mn and Vitamin E to ensure desired fertility and hatchability. Breeder males and females should be reared separately from day- old age, which ensures uniformity in growth, reduces culls and gives better production during laying. Reducing Stress. Factors such as vaccination, medication specially antibiotics, disease outbreaks, improper and restricted feeding, extreme weather changes, starvation, high production and shifting from one to another house induces stress in chickens. This results in drop in egg production, poor growth and increased susceptibility to diseases. Administration of electrolytes, vitamins, minerals, controlling effects of weather changes helps to reduce or combat the stress on birds. Feeding and Watering. Not only the quality but quantity and methods of feeding adopted also play an important role in making profits from layers. The chickens like white leghorn layers should consume about 1. RIR, New. Higher or lower intake less than recommended requirement indicates impairment in quality of feed or stress/disease condition which should be corrected accordingly. Minimum two feedings should be followed to avoid staleness and wastage of feed. All mash or pallet feeding is good method of feeding to achieve optimum performance of layers. Birds should be provided fresh, clean, cool and potable drinking water all the time. As a thumb rule bird drinks 2. Vaccination. From 4. Ranikhet disease. Automatic vaccinator is being used nowadays. Culling. It is one of the constant and important operation to be practiced at- least bimonthly to improve economy of farming and to remove focus of infection. Record Keeping and Analysing. Relevant record keeping of feed intake, egg production, vaccination, medication, mortality, culls, receipts and expenditure and periodical analysis of them helps in correcting mistakes and improvement in management to increase profitability. Housing. The layer houses should be well- ventilated, reasonably cool in summer and warm in winter but free from drafts. The open- sided poultry sheds which are popular in our country, fulfills above requirements with specific management in summer and winter. They are cheap for construction and easy for maintenance also.
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December 2016
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