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Tips about the start of the laying phase in a flock of laying hens

With this article, Zucami’s technical team intends to present TIPS that will help our customers to start the laying process of a flock of layers in order to obtain the maximum production potential of the hen.

From 17 to 30-35 weeks of life, the laying hen faces one of the most critical periods, the start of laying, which has a decisive impact on the productive results of the flock.

This start-up phase of laying includes the time from the transfer to the laying or production house until the bird reaches its adult weight.

Layer adaptation.

The birds are moved from the breeder-rearing houses to the final production house. At this early stage, we must ensure a correct transfer since the birds must overcome the stress of the transfer and adapt to their new environment as soon as possible.

We must satisfy the needs of the birds

During this period of the laying period we must be able to cover the nutritional needs of the birds. These nutritional needs up to week 30-35 must cover both production needs (which increase exponentially in a few weeks as they refer to the number and size of eggs) and growth needs (as the bird continues to grow until approximately week 35).

Increased feed consumption

Feed consumption during this period of laying start-up should increase quickly, where ideally it should rise by approximately 40% between 5% production and peak lay.

High energy levels at this stage could limit the development of the digestive tract and may present a risk by slowing consumption at the beginning of lay.

PRIORITY: Adult body weight as soon as possible.

At the start of the laying cycle, it is a priority to reach adult body weight early, which means strong birds, more likely to maintain a good laying persistency during the cycle and with a better capacity to respond to possible stress factors or challenges.

Excessively frequent feedings, encourage selective feeding behavior by the birds and, as a consequence, the accumulation of fines in the feeder.

Lighting program

The amplitude of the light stimulus and the age at which it is applied, have the greatest impact on the sexual maturity of the hen.

The curves of feed consumption, body weight and increase in lighting period, should follow a practically equivalent evolution under optimal conditions.

From 17 to 30-35 weeks of life, the laying hen faces one of the most critical periods, the start of laying, which has a decisive impact on the productive results of the flock.