When do chickens start laying eggs? Points to note during the peak laying period

Raising chickens, especially laying hens, the length of the peak laying period determines the farmer's profit. During the 43~126 day stage, if light is not restricted, the chickens will lay eggs early, causing the peak laying period to shorten to 3~5 months, resulting in serious losses. To avoid this, during this period just maintain 8 hours of light. Restrict feed. During the 127~150 day stage, feed must be restricted and light increased, because during this stage the chickens are not laying eggs. If high-energy, high-protein feed is provided, not only will costs increase, but excess energy will also produce “big-bellied hens”, affecting the laying rate during the peak period, with more loss than gain. So after restricting feed, gradually extend the light from 8 hours to 16 hours.

A fertilized chicken egg generally hatches into a chick after 21 days, a duck egg after 28 days, a goose egg after 30~33 days, a pigeon egg after 18 days, a guinea fowl egg after 26 days, and a turkey egg after 27~28 days. From hatching to final culling, a chick goes through these stages. Taking the Lohmann Brown as an example: 1~42 days is the brooding period, 43~126 days is the rearing period (8 hours of light, delaying the appearance of the peak laying period), 127~150 days is the rearing period (restrict feed, increase light, reduce feed cost), 151~180 days is the rising laying period, also called the first-egg stage, with a laying rate of 85%, 181~480 days is the peak laying period, with a laying rate of 95%, meeting 16 hours of light. After the peak laying period, the laying rate drops significantly, and molting or selling must be considered.

The peak laying period is so important, what should farmers pay attention to?

1. Beyond routine management, pay more attention to the condition of the laying hens. Normally, besides collecting eggs, cleaning manure, feeding, and cleaning up, you should also observe the hens' condition to see if any have diarrhea or ruffled feathers. When it is quiet at night, listen to see if any chickens are sneezing, coughing, or making other abnormal sounds. In short, observe more and pay more attention. Laying hens must have adequate nutrition; it is recommended to use a complete compound feed that is high in energy and protein and rich in minerals and vitamins.

2. Reduce stress and maintain environmental hygiene. High-yielding laying hens are easily frightened, especially by children setting off firecrackers or cars honking, causing the hens to eat less and the laying rate to drop. Farmers should also be careful not to frequently change feed, cut off water, cut off light, catch chickens, or enter the chicken house wearing brightly colored clothes. It is best to maintain stable temperature, humidity, light, and personnel. Regularly disinfect the chicken house with disinfectant, and regularly clean or scrub the feed troughs and water troughs to prevent pathogens from breeding.

3. Issues to note when raising chickens in summer: the best temperature for chickens is 13~25 degrees, and in production 21~25 degrees is customary. In hot summer, feed the chickens mostly in the cool early morning. As for diseases, just follow the chicken farm's immunization and health care program, and pay more attention to the occurrence of epidemic diseases, especially avian influenza. Ventilation, air exchange, moisture retention, cooling, and sanitary disinfection. To reduce stress in summer, add 0.02% vitamin C to the laying hens' feed or drinking water.