What causes feather loss in laying hens? Detailed explanation of prevention and control methods
In laying hen farming, it is common for some laying hens in a flock to lose feathers. The feather loss is mainly concentrated on the neck and back. Some cases of feather loss also lead to reduced egg production, while others do not affect it. So what causes feather loss in laying hens? Below, the editor will explain it to everyone.
1. Improper management
During feeding, if the laying hens do not get enough feed and cannot eat their fill, feather pecking and feather loss will occur, because they cannot obtain sufficient nutrition, and this is also accompanied by a decline in egg production. In addition, when laying hens are deprived of water for a long time, severe stress-related feather loss will also occur, and egg production will also be affected. When laying hens experience stress from external environmental stimuli during rearing, it can also trigger a decline in egg production and induce molting.
Prevention and control methods: Feeding management must be proper. Laying hens must eat and drink enough, take in sufficient nutrition, and reduce feather loss. At the same time, the chicken house should be kept quiet, and strangers or animals should be kept out as much as possible to avoid causing stress in the flock.
2. Insufficient nutrition
The feather growth and structural maintenance of laying hens both require an appropriate supply of nutrients. If laying hens lack the nutrients related to feather structure, the feathers will become brittle and break. This is mainly manifested as a low protein content in the feed, especially when sulfur-containing amino acids are lacking, which affects the formation of keratin, the main component of feathers, leading to massive feather loss in laying hens, and in some cases the feathers cannot grow back after falling out.
Prevention and control methods: When laying hens lose feathers due to nutritional problems, adjust the protein content in the feed and increase the proportion of feed containing crude protein so that they can return to normal as soon as possible.
3. Environmental causes
In summer, when it is hot and the cooling measures in the chicken house are not adequate, laying hens will lose a small amount of feathers in order to dissipate body heat. In addition, frequent power outages, forgetting to provide lighting, or changing the lighting time can all lead to a decline in egg production and thereby trigger feather loss. This is especially true during the transition between spring seasons, when the light intensity suddenly increases, which can very easily cause stress in the flock, resulting in feather pecking and feather loss. Parasites can also cause feather loss in laying hens.
Prevention and control methods: During high temperatures, do a good job of ventilation, air exchange, and lighting, lower the temperature in the chicken house, and pay attention to stocking density so that laying hens do not peck feathers while trying to dissipate heat. Fix the lighting time properly; the daily lighting duration should not exceed 16 hours. At the same time, carry out deworming regularly to prevent parasite damage.
The above is an introduction to the causes of feather loss in laying hens and prevention and control methods. We hope it can help you. To learn more related knowledge, please stay tuned to us.