As the consumption of egg increases, so the demand for egg continues to grow and eggs are being produced by a laying bird. Not minding the number of birds laying the eggs, still the eggs in circulation for consumption and for hatching is not enough and that’s the reason more farmers are still venturing into egg production. Not all birds are used for egg production. Egg producing birds are special kind of breed different from other breeds (broilers) for meat production, and they reared for their high rates of egg production.
Growing a bird for egg production is not as easy as growing one for meat purpose due to the time needed before they will start laying eggs while those other meant for meat which takes a shorter period of time and we will be discussing the cycle from birth to period of laying eggs. The difference between the layers and the broiler is the layers are basically for egg while the broilers are basically for meat purposes but the layers are not as fragile as the broilers and their immune system is far stronger.
The eggs has to come from the species of birds that are grown for egg purposes and then hatched before they are grown to lay eggs. The chicks are hatched in a specialized facility, fed with starter feed at their younger age and then follow other processes till they get to maturity stage which is the 18th week. At 18th week the birds are exposed to light because lights helps in stimulating the eggs and make the shell to be strong.
From the hatchery to the brooding house, after arrival administer them with glucose water and starter feed. Then follows vaccination (checkout our poultry vaccine process here), after 2weeks of birth, administer calcium to help strengthen their bones. Ensure distribution of feed 2 – 3 times daily and always make water available them till 18th week. After which you proceed with layers feed according to their age and weight but try not reduce their feed while laying even if they gain more weight.
Some birds start laying from 18th week while some others start laying later time say at 21st week and continue in that manner till they get to 72 – 78 weeks before they become week and weary of laying eggs. The size and weight of their egg also increases up to their 50th weeks of age.
As stated before all birds don’t lay same type of egg, some lay white eggs while the others lay brown eggs but the hens that lay brown eggs always lay a larger egg than the that of the white ones and also the most common breed in the most countries are the brown birds.
As from the 18th week, the birds are being fed with layers feed, reason being that it helps the birds to lay eggs consistently unless there’s a disease or illness attacking the birds. Disease and illness are one of the factors that affect egg production quantity and quality.
Note that an average healthy layer might lay eggs almost every day or at least 4 times a week.
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