Key Points of Fine Feeding and Management Techniques for Laying Hens in Autumn
Autumn is exactly the initial laying stage of spring@#@230@#@, and the management of the flock during this period is related to the economic benefits of the chicken farm (household). Therefore, the following management measures should be taken for hens that have started laying:
Timely switch to transitional feed. Generally, chickens at 20 weeks of age are switched to pre-laying feed, also called transitional feed, in which calcium is 1% and crude protein is 16.5%. When changing feed, the feed transition process should be gradually completed over half a month. Do not rush it, to prevent diarrhea. When the laying rate reaches 2%-5%, the feed should contain 3.4%-3.5% calcium and 18% crude protein.
Control the body weight at initial laying. While changing feed and supplementing calcium, attention should be paid to the uniformity of flock development. Large, medium and small replacement pullets should be raised in separate groups and regrouped regularly. Do not sharply increase or decrease feed. The effect will only appear after 3 weeks, so do not rush. The feed amount for lighter chickens should not exceed that for medium and large chickens, to avoid affecting sexual maturity due to fat deposition.
Control the house temperature. The most suitable laying temperature for laying hens is 18°C-23°C. When the outside temperature is below 18°C, more nutrients are needed for maintenance; when the temperature is below 13°C, it will affect the growth, development and laying of laying hens. Therefore, if the chicken house temperature is too low and feed is not increased in time, the chickens will delay the start of laying due to insufficient energy. During high temperatures in summer and autumn, the feed intake of laying hens decreases. If the proportion of protein in the diet is not increased in time, it will affect the development of the chicken reproductive system and delay the start of laying.
Regulate humidity and ventilation. Chick houses require a relative humidity of 55%-65%. The relative humidity of the chicken house is 70% at 1-3 days of age, and can drop to about 50% after 4 weeks of age. Humidity must not be too high; otherwise, chicks will show dirty and messy feathers, poor appetite, weakness and frequent illness, thereby delaying sexual maturity and delaying the start of laying. If ventilation is poor, harmful gases in the air increase, humidity rises, and oxygen content decreases, which will cause poor development of replacement pullets and delay the start of laying.
Light control and adjustment. Replacement pullets generally enter the sexual maturity stage at 15 weeks of age, and natural light gradually shortens during this period. If the light duration is short, the time to reach sexual maturity will be longer. Therefore, supplemental light should begin after 15 weeks of age to meet the chickens' sexual maturity needs. Generally, the light duration after 15 weeks of age should be maintained at the number of light hours at 15 weeks of age, but the light must not be too strong, to prevent feather pecking, toe pecking, back pecking and other vices. The light duration for initially laying hens is 13-17 hours per day.
Provide sufficient clean drinking water. Drinking water is very important for initially laying hens. Generally, one hen needs 100-200 grams of water per day. Therefore, laying hens must not lack water every day. It is best to use flowing water troughs to supply water. Light salt water can also be supplied 2-3 times a week to improve the physique of laying hens and increase feed intake. Some carrots or green feed can also be added daily to improve egg quality.