Monday, June 14, 2010

A Checklist on How to Improve Egg Production

1. Do your birds have it? - meaning are the genes proven already? It is hard to teach old dogs new tricks but it's harder to make a rooster lay an egg! This is why AA is a good breeder because it's a damn good layer (but I'm not sure about its broiler :->!

2. Did you RTLP (ready-to-lay-pullets) achieve its growing production targets? Important things to review here are disease history, weekly body size achievement, and mortality records. Most flocks with difficult pasts might exhibit a good peak of 90% but for a short period only and most of the time will just linger around 70-80% production. Also, these flocks have daily mortalities which annoy many farmers. Body size on the other hand, is important for rigidity and preparedness to produce a good no. of eggs including extra large ones. Usually, flocks with correct body framework have less egg bound and prolapse cases. Therefore, put emphasis on brooding to growing performance because they really hold the key to a good laying period!

3. Make sure your birds achieve its targeted feed consumption volume per age. This is critical because you might get into trouble by the onset of lay period where the birds are expected to increase in consumption dramatically within 1 month. If you fail to closely follow the guide feed increment from this 16th to 20th week, you might fail in achieving your peak production targets.

4. Is your flock uniform? This is an important growing parameter because you would like your birds to reach onset and peak production at the same time. Regular segregation of smaller birds to assist them in catching up is one tool that farmers usually do. Also, having a uniform flock will help you achieve # 3.

5. Do you have a good layer ration? Is it according to standards in terms of nutrition specs, more important of which are %CP, ME, Linoleic acid, Ca and P. Do not look too much in feed angle to solve your production shortfall if your feed has the standard protein, energy and mineral content. More likely than not, you have problems in #'s 2-4. Also, are you using correct raw materials? Meaning, are they digestible and clear of toxins? Formulation is easier in paper than what is actually being eaten by your birds.

6. Less disruptions please! Layers are tough reactors to disturbances as some of them cease egg production for a certain period while some die of egg-bound causes. Do not rock the boat when the boat is rocking! Meaning, less changes in feed formulas and raw materials, less manpower changes, nil power and water interruptions, and no predators please!

I didn't include vaccinations because it is based on area disease peculiarity. Nor do I undermine the importance of biosecurity. But in relation to directly improving egg production, the above list is major.

Copyright (6/14/10) Poultry Doc www.freepoultryconsultant.host56.com

2 comments:

  1. my birds keep fluctuating. I try a lot but my feed sources are unreliable. Is there an alternative to fish as a feed ingredient?

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  2. I rear birds in uganda and wish to access periodical information regarding farming discoveries

    ReplyDelete