Layer Guide 2023 PDF

Layer poultry production The poultry industry has developed vastly in the past 50 years. There are many different breeds of chickens available, but selection towards increased productivity has seen the development of specific breeds for meat and egg production. The goal of any lay...

Layer poultry production The poultry industry has developed vastly in the past 50 years. There are many different breeds of chickens available, but selection towards increased productivity has seen the development of specific breeds for meat and egg production. The goal of any layer farm is to produce as many eggs as possible at the lowest cost.. During the growth cycle of a pullet, many management factors may affect the total lifetime egg production of the layer hen. Management and access to information is a very important aspect of egg production.. If you want to be a successful egg producer, you should master the day-to-day management tasks of running a layer farm and the most significant element is the feed. This includes the availability and effective application of feed in the layer house. Feed makes up approximately 60-75% of the total operating cost. Therefore, it is of utmost importance to make use of a well-balanced, cost- effective feed ration.. This is why we at Feedmaster only use quality raw materials, formulated by qualified poultry nutritionists, to supply the poultry farmer with a quality feed solution by adhering to ISO22000 compliance and Quality Assurance. Different systems of layer farming Free-range system The free-range system implies that the hens walk around freely outside but fenced, are not housed, or only partially housed. Animal welfare and initial start-up costs of a battery system are one of the deciding factors when choosing between a free-range production system and a battery production system. Under normal conditions, a free-range system has a higher feed conversion ratio, because the hens move around more. Therefore wasting more energy which increases production costs. The extra production costs of a free-range system is another factor which contributes to whether or not it will be economically viable to produce under these conditions. The producer should also insist on getting a premium The following factors are important: Hens will lay eggs everywhere in dark corners so build nesting boxes to reduce time spent searching for eggs. Bring hens into a cage at night to reduce losses from predation. Remove eggs daily to avoid hens getting broody. Page 1 Layer Guide 2023 28 November 2023 11:17:21  Water and feed should always be available Do daily check-ups on hens to ensure they are healthy Lots of dirty eggs in a free-range system can increase the effort of cleaning eggs. Battery/Caged system A battery-caged system keeps many layers caged in a housed environment, mostly elevated from the ground. The system is a more intensive system with normally higher egg yields due to less motion, better control over feed intake, and control over environmental factors. (e.g. temperature fluctuations if compared to free-range chickens). The start-up costs of a battery system are very expensive, but greatly reduces the risk of salmonella contamination and parasite infestation. The following factors are important: Hens cannot look for their food so feed should always be available Cage floors need to be cleaned weekly Monitor chickens when placed, to ensure water and food is located To improve production, add stress powder and vitamins to water at least every two weeks. The system chosen depends on your market, preference or dislike of either system, availability of space, and finances. Page 2 Layer Guide 2023 28 November 2023 11:17:21  Starting up with layers You have two options when starting up. You could either get point of lays (hens ready to lay eggs), day-old layer chicks. Day-old chicks Advantages Buying day-old chickens is a cheaper option than point of lays.. Raising them yourself is also much cheaper and you can control the quality of the hens you raise.. Hens stay in production longer when raised correctly.. You can also control their vaccination and ensure a strong immunity against diseases. Disadvantages Raising your hens from day-old chicks to point of lays, does have the added risk of mortalities.. You have to have a good cash flow to raise them, as they do not produce eggs in these 18 weeks of raising.. You carry the vaccination and feed costs and you do not benefit immediately after the purchase.. Need Skills Page 3 Layer Guide 2023 28 November 2023 11:17:21  Point of lay hens Advantages The hens are in production immediately or short after purchase No feed cost to raise the chicks Less vaccination cost Mortalities are less than day-old chicks No roosters. Disadvantages Point of lays are much more expensive than day-old chicks at purchase Hens might bring in diseases if not purchased from a trusted supplier Signed-off rearing programs not always available for future production claims. * Always request the feeding, growth, and vaccination schedule when the buying point of lays to ensure quality is maintained during raising. Housing Poultry House should be built with shortest closed sides in an East to West direction.. The house should have side curtains opening from the top to the bottom. This improves ventilation and avoids direct airflow on hens.. House can be insulated, prevent big fluctuations in temperatures and conserve heat during the night and cool down during the day. Roof overhang should be extended to avoid the hens from being exposed to rain. Gutters can also be used to divert and collect rainwater.. Concrete floors are ideal and most hygienic, however expensive. All floors need to be covered in bedding. Ground floor rearing is the cheapest option but not recommended. Make use of metal and plastic when building. These materials are easy to clean Page 4 Layer Guide 2023 28 November 2023 11:17:21  Lighting program Layer hens tend to be very sensitive to change in lighting. As seasons change from summer to winter, days grow shorter, a hen's production tends to decrease. This can be controlled by using artificial lighting. A period of darkness is also a natural requirement and should be taken into account. Lighting can be more difficult in open houses and free-range systems. Why is a lighting program important? Better egg production because of energy conserved during resting. Reduce mortality rate and skeletal defects. Stimulates the production of melatonin. Melatonin is important in the development of the immune system. Do not increase the day length at all during the growth period. Establish what the natural day length will be when the birds are at least 16 weeks old. Provide additional lighting to make sure, that the day length from 8 weeks Is the same as the natural day length at 16 weeks and keep it that way until it is time to stimulate production/ sexual maturity. An example of a lighting programme for LOHMANN BROWN-CLASSIC Layers adjusted to location, condition and requirements by LOHMANN lighting programme tool Week of Age 2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16 18 20 22 24 26 28 30 32 34 36 38 40 42 44 46 48 50 52 54 56 58 60 62 64 66 68 70 24 23 22 21 20 19 18 Adjusted Lighting Programme for Open Houses 17 16 15 Lighting Programme for Dark Houses Hours of Light 14 13 12 11 10 9 8 7 6 5 Adjusted Lighting Programme for LOHMANN BROWN-CLASSIC Layers 4 Hatch Date: December 17th, Location: Berlin 3 2 Closed House Rearing, Open House Production 1 Stimulation/ Transfer Age: 17 Weeks 0 52 01 03 05 07 09 11 13 15 17 19 21 23 25 27 29 31 33 35 37 39 41 43 45 47 49 51 01 03 05 07 09 11 13 15 Week of Year Lighting-Prgr Lighting Std Twilight Daylight Page 5 Layer Guide 2023 28 November 2023 11:17:22  Temperature management Temperature plays a vital part in egg production. Too low temperatures during the first few weeks can affect your hen's production during her entire egg-laying cycle. At a later stage, the temperature does not have that large effect, but extremes should be avoided. Free-range hens need shelter for the night as temperatures can decrease drastically. Age Cage Rearing (°C) Free Range rearing(°C) Week 5-72 18-20 18-20 *Body temperature for chicks can be about 40-41°C Ventilation The function of ventilation is not only to supply the hens with an adequate supply of oxygen, but it also assists with the removal of waste products, growth, and combustion from the environment such as: Moisture removal The provision of oxygen to meet the bird's metabolic demand The control of relative humidity The maintenance of good litter conditions. Always ensure that there is a good supply of fresh air at all times, but be careful not to have a cold draft blowing into the brooding house as chicks are more sensitive to cold. Good maintenance of house curtains (if hens in battery cage) are needed. Free-range chickens tend not to have any problems with ventilation. Gentle upward movement Winter ventilation - No wind outside Slow overturn of air Sun heat Ridge vent removes hot air near roof Winter ventilation - Wind blowing Summer ventilation - Sidewall doors open Page 6 Layer Guide 2023 28 November 2023 11:17:22  Bird Health Bio-security Prevention is by far the most economical and best-known method of disease control. Prevention is best achieved by the implementation of an effective bio-security program in conjunction with an appropriate vaccination program. Bio-security is a practice designed to prevent the spread of disease on your farm. It is accomplished by maintaining the facility in such a way that there is minimal traffic of biological organisms (viruses, bacteria, rodents, etc.) across its borders. It is the most effective and cheapest means of disease control on the farm. Below are a few key points to a successful bio-security program: Farms should be fenced.. The all in/all-out principle is the best. It prevents the transmission of the disease from older flocks to younger flocks.. Limit non-essential visitors to the farm. A logbook should be used to document the visits at the farm. Cars of employees should not be allowed on the premises. Farm supervisors should visit the youngest flocks at the beginning of the day and work by age to the oldest flock for the last visit on that day.. The entrance to the farm must include pressure washing equipment to clean the tires and undercarriage of the trucks that need to enter the premises. Sanitize feet/shoes with a foot bath upon entering the cage or hen house entrance. Dispose of dead birds immediately.. Personnel working on a grower or layer should not own birds or work in another poultry farm.. Clean clothes and boots should be available for everyone entering the premises. Best would be if shower-in/shower-out facilities are available.. Vaccination A vaccination is the controlled exposure to a disease-causing agent (antigen) and is specific to the one disease. The antigen can be a virus, mycoplasma or bacteria and is so manipulated in the laboratory, that it cannot harm or kill the bird anymore. The vaccination process is preparing the body of the animal to combat the disease by itself through immunity when challenged with the real field organism. Day old chicks should receive vaccines against following diseases at the hatchery for sufficient protection: IBD ND IB Please discuss vaccinations with a veterinarian before purchase any vaccines. A basic monitoring program and regular visits by a poultry veterinarian should take place to diagnose other less seen diseases to advise adjustments and additions to the vaccination program when it is needed. Change clothes before entering the farm and shoes before entering the house. Page 7 Layer Guide 2023 28 November 2023 11:17:22  Flock Uniformity Uniformity amongst hens is very important. Equally sized hens is a good indication of future production ability. Uniform hens become sexually mature at the same time, saving money on feed. Uniform hens also tend to stay longer in production resulting in more eggs per life cycle and thus better profits. How to calculate flock uniformity: Example: The total weight of flock is 86260g of which the flock size is 95 hens. 86260g ÷ 95 hens = 908g per hen 908g per hen × 10% = 91g 908g + 91g = 999g (Upper value) 908g - 91g = 817g (lower value) 817g < Uniform Flock > 999g So for instance, 85 hen's weights lay within this weight range 81 hens ÷ 95 hens × 100 = 85% uniformity 85% + is very good uniformity 70% - is poor flock uniformity Factors which influence flock uniformity: Stocking density Feed structure (avoid selective feed intake) Trough/ Feeder length and height Availability of water Page 9 Layer Guide 2023 28 November 2023 11:17:22  Eggs Most breeds of layer typically produce eggs economically until the age of 72 weeks. In this period a hen, under the correct circumstances, should lay between 300 and 326 eggs. Egg sizes increase as the hen gets older. Chickens with brown earlobes tend to lay brown eggs and the hens with white ear lobes lay white eggs. A healthy laying percentage is 80% to 100 % laying per day in peak production. This means 80% of the flock will lay an egg a day. Points to remember: Eggs are fragile and should be handled with care. Package in egg trays for the best protection.. Sell the older eggs first. Do not keep eggs longer than 2 weeks before selling. Store eggs at room temperature between 18°C and 25°C. Refrigerated eggs tend to form condensate on shells when removed from the fridge, and causes bacteria such as salmonella to grow on the surface.. Remove eggs daily to avoid hens eating their eggs.. Egg colour or shape can indicate disease, contact vet. Page 10 Layer Guide 2023 28 November 2023 11:17:23  If any blood is found on egg check the hen to avoid cannibalism Count the number of eggs daily to determine laying percentage and to identify possible problems in the flock. Eggs should not be washed Nutrition Layer diets are formulated to provide the energy and nutrients essential for health and efficient egg production. The basic nutritional components required by the birds are water, amino acids, energy, vitamins, and minerals. Sufficient calcium for shell production is specifically vital in our layer mash. Feedmaster provides the following: All our products are specifically formulated by qualified nutritionists to achieve the desired production levels at a lower cost.. Feedmaster is ISO 22000 accredited.. All our products are formulated with natural products such as maize, soya, sunflower oil cake, chop, and bran.. We do not include any animal protein sources or animal-derived products into any of our product ranges.. We adhere to strict bio-security rules at all times to reduce possible contamination.. The produced feed adheres to a rigorous quality control process to confirm the quality before being distributed. Week Days Feed intake (g/ Total feed intake per Feed type Bodyweight bird/day) week in (g) per bird target (g) 1 7 11 77 Pullet Starter 75 2 14 17 196 Pullet Starter 130 3 21 22 350 Pullet Starter 195 4 28 28 546 Pullet Starter 275 5 35 35 791 Pullet Starter 371 6 42 41 1078 Pullet Starter 474 7 49 47 1407 Pullet Grower 578 8 56 51 1764 Pullet Grower 679 9 63 55 2149 Pullet Developer 775 10 70 58 2555 Pullet Developer 867 11 77 60 2975 Pullet Developer 956 12 84 64 3423 Pullet Developer 1042 13 91 65 3878 Pullet Developer 1126 14 98 68 4354 Pullet Developer 1207 15 105 70 4844 Pullet Developer 1286 16 112 71 5341 Pullet Developer 1363 17 119 72 5845 Pullet Developer 1437 18 126 75 6370 Pullet Developer 1464-1554 Page 11 Layer Guide 2023 28 November 2023 11:17:23  Water Management To ensure optimum egg quality and overall health, the water supplied to the hens should be of a good standard.. Chicks and pullets which do not drink enough water will have an inadequate feed intake and bad growth. This effects future egg production ability. Do regular checks to ensure that drinkers are working properly and/or are full. Make sure drinkers are at crop level and the water pressure is correct. When temperatures are high or if birds have health problems, they consume more water to regulate body temperature.. Add chlorine tablets to the water to sanitize water and check ph levels, but not during vaccination days.. Under normal conditions, hens drink between 250 ml -500 ml of water each day.. Do not feed water directly out of a borehole or big tank. Divert water to a smaller catchment tank to help with medicating and vaccination of hens. A 500-liter tank is ideal for a 100 hen setup. Round Drinker Fountain Drinker Nipple Drinker Page 14 Layer Guide 2023 28 November 2023 11:17:24  Important notes The amount of feed per bird is a suggestion, stick to the recommended feeding days indicated on the feeding table.. For the first 10 days, feed should be on the pan feeders or paper. From day two, feed should also be in feeding troughs so that the chicks can learn to eat from it.. Do not place feed or water directly under the heat source as this may cause the chicks to eat or drink less than they should. Page 15 Layer Guide 2023 28 November 2023 11:17:24  Record keeping The biggest purpose of accurate records is for the farmer to utilize the information in future decision making. Accurate record-keeping is essential to monitor the performance and profitability of a flock. Daily records that should be taken: Amount of eggs collected Amount of misshaped eggs Feed consumption Water consumption Egg sizes Water treatments Minimum and maximum daily temperatures Mortalities amongst hens Management changes Flock records (a summary at the end of the flock’s cycle) Feed deliveries (supplier/amount/type/date of consumption) Feed sample from each feed delivery Live weight (daily/weekly/daily gain) Medication (type/batch/mount/date of administration/date of withdrawal) Lighting program followed Chick delivery (number/date/time/truck temperature and humidity) Stocking density in case of battery cages * All the information of this guide was based on the most common breed of layers in Namibia - Lohman Brown. The above information may vary for different breeds. Page 16 Layer Guide 2023 28 November 2023 11:17:24  Layer Guide 2023 Record Keeping Sample 28 November 2023 11:17:24 House: _________ Amount: ______________ Date of placement: ________________ Age Water Feed Total Number Number Total of Number Number of Treatments consumed consumed amount of of mortalities of culls mortalities L kg of eggs cracked whole eggs eggs NB: - A hen consumes 110g of Feedmaster layer mash daily. - A hen needs a minimum of 270ml of water daily. An egg is made up of 86% of water. - A healthy well taken care of flock is productive, compared to an unhealthy one. Contact our TA: Beata Mudjanima 0811254913 Markus du Plessis 0816354061 Page 17