6 Common Management Problems That Affect Egg Production
The problems associated with the management of layers, which are encountered by poultry farmers are discussed below. Most of these problems can be averted. One thing about these problems is that if they are not addressed quickly, they could result in critical economic losses.
Learn More1. Broodiness
Hens have a natural tendency to incubate their eggs. This trait is not found in commercial layers because it was bred out. Nonetheless, some hens still become broody occasionally. Any broody hen is always unproductive and it inconveniences other birds by sitting in the laying nest. Broody hens should be separated from the flocked and kept on a bare floor till the broodiness is lost. After, they can be taken back to the laying house to continue laying eggs.
2. Cannibalism
Cannibalism is a situation where a chicken pecks and injures another chicken. It begins when a bird is injured and other birds start to peck the injured area or part. Most times, an injured bird bleeds to death. Cannibalism can be prevented by trimming the beaks of the birds. If any injured bird is sighted, it must be removed from the flock before it results in serious injuries or death. Overcrowding, underfeeding, proteins or amino acid deficiencies, and boredom are major factors that lead to cannibalism.
READ ALSO 11 unforgettable facts about fowl cholera
3. Egg Eating
Egg eating may occur when a hen lays soft-shelled eggs. It happens when birds are deficient in certain nutrients such as calcium. As a result of this, the feed provided must be balanced and meet all the nutritional requirements of the birds. A hen is tempted to peck at an emerging egg if it sees an egg coming out from the cloaca of another hen. When the egg is pecked, it breaks, and the hen starts to eat it immediately. To avoid this incidence, farmers must construct proper laying nests. Each nest should accommodate one bird at a time. The nests should be partially covered to become dark if the nests are the communal type.
4. Decreased Daylight
Lighting is a factor that influences the rate of egg production and the size of the eggs. Therefore, chickens must be provided with 17 hours of light (natural + artificial) from 18 weeks of age.
READ ALSO Water Consumption Rates/Levels for Broilers and Layers
5. Poor Hygiene and Diseases
It is of great importance to keep the facilities and equipment such as drinking troughs and feeders of the chickens clean. This is simply because a lack of proper hygiene and sanitation could result in less or poor egg production, and even increased bird mortality. It is also important to avoid that chickens are infected with different diseases and to know the most frequent laying hen diseases and how to avoid them.
6. Infertility
Due to infertility and a poor state of health, some birds stop laying eggs. This kind of bird must be culled (removed from the flock). All things being equal, all your birds should start laying eggs in their 25th week. After the 25th week, the farmer should start looking for unproductive birds, and any found should be culled to prevent feed and labor loss.
ATTENTION: Click “HERE” to receive More updates directly on your WhatsApp!
Now that you know some causes and factors that influence to increase in egg production, it only remains to put what you have learned into practice. You will observe how your birds improve their posture, resulting in more trade and improvement of the farm.
-Advertisement-
We do everything possible to supply quality information for farmers day in, day out and we are committed to keep doing this.
Your kind donation will help our continuous research efforts.
