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Tips on the management of drinkers and feeders in aviaries

With this article, the ZUCAMI technical team intends to present TIPS that help our clients to know the specific handling required by the aviary production system.

Everyone knows that the management of our hens in the aviary is different from the management that we carry out in enriched cages, from the rearing phases of the future layers, to the egg-laying phase of the hens.

For this reason, it is essential that we know the specific management of this type of production due to the increase in egg production in aviary systems.

Breeding-rearing, essential for the future layer in aviary

It is always recommended that the layer that will be housed in an aviary system is already reared under this system, because the importance of rearing in aviary systems is even more critical and essential than in other production methods, since the bird must know how an aviary works and in this way we guarantee the correct adaptation in the laying house.

We will proceed to the lodging of the chicks once the disinfection of the house has been verified, the correct sanitary vacuum has been verified, and the tasks of preheating the shed have been carried out 24/48 hours before the arrival of the chicks.

In addition, we must check each and every one of the water and food points, as well as the placement of the papers on the floor of the battery with their corresponding amount of food on them so that the chicks can peck at the beginning.

In the breeding-rearing phase they need easy access to water, food and good lighting.

Pullets in their brooding-rearing phase need easy access to the feeding and drinking system. Además, la iluminación debe ser adecuada para favorecer su correcto desarrollo.

Throughout the day the water temperature must be adequate (optimal range between 20-25ºC).

The drinker lines must be at the correct height and this must be adapted to the development of future layers.

It is vital that the water has adequate pressure so that the drop hangs on each teat, so that they learn to drink as soon as possible, to avoid delay in starting and loss of homogeneity from the start.

After 6 weeks, it is recommended to monitor the feeder so that it is empty once a day

Monitoring and controlling the behavior of the future layer.

We must always be attentive to the behavior of our chicks in the system, especially if we make any changes such as modifying the height of the drinker or a change in feeding.

Communication between technicians in rearing and technicians in the laying phase.

Coordinating lighting schedules, feed or water releases before transfer to the laying house is essential.

Therefore, it is recommended that if the technicians differ from the rearing house to the laying house, the strategy and the handling to be followed can be planned.

In the arrival at the laying house we must guarantee the supplies.

When the hens arrive at the laying house, we must take into account in advance the availability of feed and water for the birds.

Especially during the first days it is recommended to offer a good level of food that will be adjusted later.

In addition, access to the drinking system must be easy and water consumption must be monitored to guarantee correct feed consumption.

The food should be as similar as possible to that of the last rearing phase and the changes from crumb in rearing to flour in laying must be monitored.

The feeders, the feeding schedules and the drinking system.

We must establish a schedule for feeding times and take into account that during feeding passes the feeders are never empty and that the distribution speed is adequate.

It is never recommended to distribute feed at the time of maximum laying.

In addition, in the drinking fountain we must carry out a control of the water pressure.

It is essential that we know the specific management of this type of production due to the increase in egg production in aviary systems.