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 to lay eggs continuously till their 72-78 weeks of age. They can produce about one kg of eggs by consuming about 2.25 kg of food during their egg-laying period. For the purpose of producing hybrid egg 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 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.
Keeping Chicks for Layer Poultry Farming
During the first weeks after birth, many chicks do not want to drink the 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.
Vaccination and its Importancefor Layer Poultry Farming
A Vaccination program is a must for chicks for keeping them free from all types of diseases. The main advantage of poultry vaccination is listed below.
- Timely vaccination makes disease resistance power in the body of the chick.
- Help to keep the hen free from infective poultry diseases.
- Disease prevalence will be less.
- The mortality rate will reduce.
- And low mortality rate = more production = more profit
Egg Productionfor Layer Poultry Farming
Egg production from a Layer Poultry Farming 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% of 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.
- The egg-laying rate and size of eggs increase gradually.
- The hens grow till their 40 weeks of age.
- The weight and size of eggs increases until their 50 weeks of age.
Feedingfor Layer Poultry Farming
There are many companies available throughout the world, which are producing commercial feed and feed supplements 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 and feed supplements you bought are enriched with essential food value. Protein, Vitamins , and mineralsare very important for laying hens which areaffecting the quality of eggs, layer poultry fertility, and layer bird’s health.
Water Managementfor Layer Poultry Farming
Chicken's health depends 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, mixAqua cure. Determine a suitable place to keep the water pot inside thepoultry house.Supply cold water during the summer season and hot weather, and slightly hot water in cold weather or winter season.
Marketingfor Layer Poultry Farming
Eggs are stored in a cool room at about 13oC and transported in an insulated truck. Unfortunately, many shops selling eggs do not store them under ideal conditions. In the home and shop situation, it is best to store them at normal refrigerator temperatures (4-6oC). Marketing involves a range of prices, depending on the different sizes of eggs, different brands, or other differences that attract particular buyers. Free-range and fat modified eggs are among the varieties available.
