The layer production business is only for passionate growers. At FeedMix we often call laying hens “mobile egg-making machines” because of their nature of dropping fresh eggs every day for at least 6 days a week. Likewise one gains more profit with large numbers for the business.
An ideal layer poultry house should have an East to West orientation. The house for the commercial layer should be constructed with open long sided. The standard length should be 100 metres and 10 metres wide. A recommended height of 2.8m under strong roofing sheets, eaves with 30 to 45 cm is ideal. The height of the lengths should be supported by strong bird mesh. A storeroom for stock feeds is important. The foundation should be strong with 50cm wall height on the lengthy sides. The floor should be concrete as opposed to earth floors.
Stocking density should be 30 to 33 chicks per square metre during the rearing period. The stocking density should be reduced to 5 to 6 mature laying birds per square metre.
There are two main production models for layer production.
The FeedMix Layer Feed Specifications and Feeding Rates from day 1 to end of production cycle.
Feed type | Crude protein (%) | Metabolizable Energy (MJ/Kg) | Feeding period | Feed /bird /phase or (day) |
Chick Pullet Starter Crumbles | 20.0 | 12.0 | 0 to 8 weeks | 2.0 kg /chick /phase |
Pullet Grower Mash | 15.0 | 11.6 | 9 to 16 weeks | 4.5 kg /chick /phase |
Pre-Lay Mash | 16.0 | 11.6 | 17 to 18 weeks | 0.110 to 0.115 kg /hen /day |
Early Lay Mash | 15.1 | 11.3 | from 19 weeks up to ± 65weeks of age or end of peak production | 0.12 to 0.125 kg /hen/day |
Late Lay Mash | 14.1 | 11.5 | from ±65 weeks to end of production cycle | 0.120 kg /hen /day |
Standard Layer Mash | 14.8 | 11..0 | from 19 weeks to end of production | 0.12 to 0.125 kg /hen /day |
Use your God given five senses (sight, hearing, smell, touch and taste)
Pay particular attention to details – weights, age, spillages, mortality, sensitivity of the birds,
The commercial layer can achieve 1 cycle per year but 3 cycles when producing point of lay pullets (POL)
Removal of manure from the poultry houses and disposal after a batch should be carried out immediately to allow the houses to be cleaned, washed and disinfected. This process should not take more than 5 days. Rest the houses for a minimum of 14 days before the next batch.
Order chicks from renowned suppliers like Charles Stewart Day Old Chicks