More experienced layer farmers know that the first laying period of a layer is generally about one year. However, this year is divided into three egg-laying stages, which are mainly divided according to the age of egg-laying and different egg-laying rates. Generally, farmers are divided into three stages: pre-laying period, peak period and late period. The following author will refer to the experience of poultry farming equipment manufacturers to introduce the egg production characteristics at this stage.
1. Pre-laying period: The pre-laying period mainly refers to the flock of laying hens just starting to lay. Generally, laying hens start to lay eggs until the egg production rate reaches 80%, which is called the pre-laying period by farmers. Generally speaking, it is from the beginning of 21 weeks to the end of 28 weeks. In addition, there are a few breeds of chickens, whose laying age and egg production peak are moved forward to 19-23 weeks of age. The characteristic of laying hens in the early stage of laying is that the laying rate is added very quickly, rising by 20%-30% per week. In the case of adding the same egg production, the body weight and egg weight of the laying hens are also being added, and the average weight can still be added 30-40g per week, and the egg weight can be added about 1.2g per week.
2. The peak period of egg production: The peak period of egg production is the stage where the laying hens lay the most eggs. Generally, when the egg production rate of the flock rises to 80%, the egg production peak period is entered. When the 80% egg production rate reaches its peak, the egg production rate still rises rapidly. Generally, the egg production of the layer can rise to 92%-95% after 3-4 weeks of breeding. Generally, the stage where the laying rate of laying hens is above 90% can be maintained for 10-20 weeks, and then the laying rate of laying hens will slowly decrease. When the egg production rate drops below 80% again, the peak egg production period is over. At present, the peak period of laying eggs can generally be maintained for about 6 months. At 72 weeks, the laying rate of laying hens remained at around 65%.
3. The late laying period: the laying hen entering the late laying period means the end of the laying period. Generally, farmers will refer to the period from the average weekly laying rate of less than 80% to the culling of the laying hens as the late laying period. Generally, when laying hens grow to 60-72 weeks of age, it is the late stage of laying. Generally, the undulations of laying hens in the late stage of laying are larger than those in the peak period.
The above is what the author introduced to farmers. When using poultry breeding equipment to raise chickens, the production characteristics of the three laying stages of the laying hens. It is hoped that the above narration can bring some assistance to farmers, and rationally manage the laying hens at each stage of breeding, so that they can play the best egg production performance and add benefits to farmers.