Layer poultry farming means raising egg laying poultry birds for the purpose of commercial egg production. Layer chickens are such a special species of hens, which need to be raised from when they are one day old. They start laying eggs commercially from 18-19 weeks of age. They remain laying eggs continuously till their 72-78 weeks of age. They can produce about one kg of eggs by consuming about 2.25kg of food during their egg laying period. For the purpose of producing hybrid eggs layer, consider the various characteristics of cock and hen before breeding. There are various types of highly egg productive layer breeds available throughout the world.
Layer Breeds:
According to the nature and colour of egg, layer hens are of two
types. Short description of these two types are listed below.
White Egg
Laying Hens:
This type of hens are comparatively smaller in size. Relatively eat
less food, and the colour of egg shell is white. Isa White, Lehman White, Nikchik,
Bab Cock BV-300, Harvard White, Hi Sex White, Sever White, Hi line White,
Bovanch White etc. are some popular white egg laying chickens.
Brown Egg
Laying Hens:
Brown egg laying hens are relatively larger in size. They eat more
foods, compared to white egg layers. Lay bigger eggs than other laying breeds.
Egg shell is brown coloured. There are many types of brown layer available.
Among those Isa Brown, Hi Sex Brown, Sever 579, Lehman Brown, Hi Line Brown,
Bab Cock BV-380, Gold Line, Bablona Tetro, Bablona Harko, Harvard Brown etc.
are very suitable for commercial layer poultry farming.
Layer Hen
Selection:
You have to keep in mind some essential information before selecting
the layer hens for your poultry farming business. You have to select those
breeds which are suitable for your layer poultry farming business and can
produce well in your area. Read below for selecting proper breeds for your
business.
For commercial eggs production, you have to choose highly productive
laying hens correctly. All type of hens do not produce equal number of eggs.
The chosen breeds must have to have good production capability. If your chosen
breed contain the desired characteristic and have a reputation for egg
production, then that breed is suitable for your business. Always purchase
healthy chicks from a famous and popular hatchery. You can see their catalogue
before purchasing.
Keeping Chicks:
During the first weeks after birth, many chicks do not want to drink
water due to transporting them from one place to another. So you have to make
adequate water drinking systems in their brooder house, and you have to train
them for drinking water. Mix 5% glucose with water, so that they can easily get
energy. Provide them any types of high quality multivitamin by mixing with
water (suggested by electrolyte production companies’ instruction).
Multivitamin and electrolyte are very effective when you transport chick from a
long distance. It reduces tiredness and lack of water, and help to make the
chick normal.
Vaccination and
its Importance:
Vaccination program is a must for chicks for keeping them free from
all types of diseases. The main advantage of poultry vaccination are listed
below.
Timely vaccination makes disease resistance power in the body of chick.
Help to keep the hen free from infective poultry diseases. Disease prevalence
will be less. Mortality rate will reduce. And low mortality rate = more
production = more profit.
There are many types of poultry vaccines available for layer hens.
Marex, Ranikheth, Gamboro, Bruchaities, Bosonto, Salmonela etc. are used for
layer chickens.
Before
Vaccination:
You have to maintain some rules before vaccination.
Hold the chickens very carefully. Vaccinate the chickens without any
strain. There is no need to vaccinate the ill hen. Wash the vaccination
equipment with hot boiled water or germicide medicine/antiseptic. Do the
vaccination program in cold weather condition. Preventive vaccine is always
applicable to healthy bird. Never vaccinate an infected bird.
Keeping Growing
Chicks:
You have to maintain the suggestion listed below for keeping growing
layer chickens.
You have to provide the growing chicks special care until they reach
4-5 weeks of age. After brooding serve them good quality pellet feed. It will
make good results in the future. They will produce egg highly. High quality
pellet will make the chickens healthy and increase their body weight. So it is
very important to provide them quality pellet feed during growing period.
Egg Production
from Commercial Layer Farm
Egg production from a commercial layer farm depends on the care and
farm management. If you take good care of your birds and manage them properly,
then the production and profit will be high.
Within the first 20 weeks of age, about 5% of hens start laying eggs.
About 10% birds start laying at their 21 weeks of age. When they reach 26 to 30
weeks of age, they produce highly. Although, it may be different depending on
their strain. After laying a maximum number of eggs, they usually stop laying
for a few days. And after this period, their egg production might reduce slowly.
Egg laying rate and size of eggs increases gradually. The hens grow till their
40 weeks of age. Weight and size of eggs increases till their 50 weeks of age.
Method and
Importance of Lip Cutting:
Cutting the lip of laying hens is very important. The main benefits
are listed below.
Lip cutting help to reduce mutual fights. It help to prevent food waste.
You have to cut your chick’s lip at their age of 8 to 10 days. Cut the lip of
growing chicken at their 8 to 12 weeks of age. Cut the lip of chicks 0.2cm from
their nose. Cut 0.45cm in case of growing chickens. Cut the both upper and
lower lips. Don’t cut the both lip together. Cut one after another. Use block
chick trimming machine to cut the lips.
Don’t cut their lip two days after or before vaccination, after or
before using some medicines like sulphur. Don’t cut the lip if the hen in a
strain, and during adverse weather conditions and if the hen start laying eggs.
Serve the chicken water mixed with vitamin “K” three days before
cutting lips. Wash the lip cutting instrument with antiseptic. Test the edge
and temperature of blade. You have to be careful, and don’t damage their eyes
and tongue. Choose cold weather for cutting their lips. Lip cutting process should
be observed by an experienced technician. After cutting lips, serve them water
in a deep pot. Provide them some extra energy enriched feed.
Feeding:
There are many companies available throughout the world, which are
producing commercial feed for layer chickens. You can buy feed from your local
market or make the feed at your own house. You have to be sure that the feed
you bought are enriched with essential food value. Protein and mineral are very
important for laying hens.
Provide 2% of calcium for two weeks after their birth. If you notice
they are not gaining expected weight, then you have to serve starter feed for
eight weeks. Serve feed two or three times in a day till their 18 weeks of age.
Demand of feed increase very fast when the birds start laying. Serve them layer
poultry feed according to their age and weights. Don’t decrease the amount of
feed while laying (even if their weight increase).
Water
Management:
Chickens health depend on the supply of pure, clean and fresh
drinking water. You have to provide adequate water according to the demand of
your laying hens. For purifying the water, mix 0.3g bleaching per litter.
Determine a suitable place to keep the water pot inside the poultry house.
Supply cold water during summer season and hot weather, and slightly hot water
in cold weather or winter season.
In accordance with the age and species of chickens, food providing can control the weights of chicken. Use sufficient calcium, phosphorus, vitamins, amino acid and other mineral substance in their food. For purifying water use bleaching powder or chlorine. If you follow the methods mentioned above, then you can make better profit from your layer poultry farming business.
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