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Layers

To continue on, the two classes of poultry, as mentioned. First, I will talk on feeding layer birds. As I mentioned, layer birds are raised, basically, for egg production. Starting all the way from 1940 to year 2000, when we compare the kilogram of feed needed for a dozen of eggs.

As we can see, we need 1.7 kg of feed to produce a dozen of eggs in year 2000 versus 3.4 kg of feed 60 years ago. This tremendous decrease in the amount of feed, came through genetic selection, proper management, proper information about the nutrient requirements that could be provided to the bird in a well-balanced form.

To introduce you about laying hen production cycle.

When feeding laying birds, we are looking at three stages. Day zero to week 16, we call it pullet rearing. Week 16-20, pre-layer diets, are moved to the cages. Week 20 to week 70 laying diets.

Pullet starter diets, starting from day zero. When the chicks hatch, chicks are about 40 grams, we want to raise them to a target weight of 1,400 grams. We want to increase their body weight. At this stage, we introduce them with a high protein diet. High protein diet, so that there is muscle accretion. We start with 18-19% crude protein and moderate energy, 2,750-2,900 kilocalories per gram. We have to maintain flock uniformity. Usually, with laying birds, under consumption is the major problem, not over consumption like broiler birds. At this stage, we have to make sure that the diet is not deficient in energy, 2,750-2,900 kilocalories is ideal at this stage. Again, we have to make sure they maintain a uniform body weight which is ideal. Body weight or growth rate is correlated to energy intake and crude protein. Energy of the diet is very important. For example, if you have two diets, diet A with 2,600 kilocalories and a crude protein of 18%, the body weight will be around 1,320 grams, diet B if you increase the ME value to 3,000, the same crude protein, body weight increases to 1,470 grams. We have to make sure that all birds have a similar body weight or uniform flock growth rate, so that they reach sexual maturity all at the same time, around 5 months. If they reach sexual maturity at different stages, some of the birds will start producing smaller eggs which is not ideal. The body weight is the major factor that control egg size.

Pullet grower diets are fed from six weeks to mature body size, often 18 weeks of age. At this stage, we reduce the protein to 15-16% crude protein, at the same time moderate energy, 2,850-2,900 kilocalories. The goal at this period of feeding is to optimize body weight and optimize body reserves at the beginning, because once egg laying starts, there is a continuous drainage of nutrients from the bird. We have to make sure that there is enough reserves of nutrients at the beginning, this way the birds are less prone to subsequent problems. We need to appropriate body weight and size before sexual maturity.

Laying hen production cycle. Next, is the pre-layer diets. Pre-layer diets, from mature body weight to the first egg, usually from 18-20 weeks, 17% crude protein and 2,900 kilocalories per kilogram. As I mentioned before, body weight is the major factor controlling egg size. Unlike in broiler birds, overweight or obesity is not a problem with layer birds. Over consumption is not a problem. Most laying birds, under consumption is more a common problem than over consumption. Laying hen production cycle, continuing to pre-layer diets. The major goal of pre-layer diets is to condition the calcium metabolism and prepare the birds for egg production. At this stage, we increase the calcium to at least 2.5% of the diet. The goal of this is to increase the calcium reserves of the body because once egg laying starts there is a huge amount of calcium turnover. And to provide enough reserves at the beginning, high amounts of calcium are included in the diet. At this stage, there is little nutrients for growth. If not enough calcium, a too common problem seen in laying birds is cage layer fatigue and bone breaking. Basically, produced by impaired calcium metabolism. However, in small operations, most farmers find a bit difficult to change to a pre-layer diet for a short period of time, so most people start with high calcium at this stage.

When feeding laying hens, our goal is, number one, egg production, high quality, both internal as well as external quality, shell quality. Under consumption, major problem, low appetite, so birds are fed free choice or ad libitum. Usually, laying birds consume anywhere between 80 to 120 grams of feed per day. High energy diets are usually included, diets with energy ranging from 2,700 to 2,900 kilocalories per kilogram. Laying birds also prefer large particle size to fine feeds. Sometimes when the feed is too fine, they mix with saliva and tend to stick in the beak. The ideal feeding program for laying birds is according to feed intake. As I mentioned before, 80 gram versus 120 gram, we have to make sure their energy is also balanced according to the volume. When the volume comes down, the energy has to be more dense. Calcium for laying birds. When you formulate ration, make sure calcium for laying birds at least a minimum of 3.5. Phosphorus, available phosphorus, minimum .4. Crude protein, 15.5, minimum 15.5% crude protein. When you formulate the diets for laying birds, metabolizable energy should be anywhere from 2,700-2,900 kilocalories. That’s the range or the constraints that you include in your ration formulation. Crude protein 15.5 minimum, 15.5 – 16.5 is the range that you should be working at. Two minerals, calcium and phosphorus. Very important. 3.5% minimum calcium and phosphorus available at .4%. Carbohydrate sources should be the major component of the ration. You can include two cereal grains, wheat, corn, comprising to 60-70% of the ration. Protein sources, soybean meal, canola meal. Fat, maximum around 5%. Vitamin-mineral premix. All adding to 100%.

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