A layer is a commercially viable egg producing bird. Egg is in great demand because of its nutritive value, easy and quick preparation time and as co-ingredient in wide variety of preparation (house-hold and commercial). Hence layer farming has gained importance as the fastest growing industry in livestock sector. We have about 1, 00, 00,000 layer birds.
Once laying begins, pullets should be switched to a laying ration that contains 16 to 18 per cent protein with 3.5 per cent calcium. Floor litter should be three to six inches deep, low dust and kept reasonably dry. Wet litter should always be removed.
Day length can be managed to stimulate laying. At 18 weeks, pullets should be placed on 14 hours of daylight. When half of the birds have begun laying, it should be adjusted to 16 hours 8.
The laying cycle for a chicken flock is usually 12 months. Production peaks at around six to eight weeks, and then slowly declines. In commercial production, hens are either destroyed or processed at 70 weeks, or they are forced to molt. Molting is a natural process in which birds renew their feathers and replenish their bones and reproductive systems. During molting, egg laying declines further or ceases entirely. Following forced molting; the hens can resume production and are often kept up to 105 weeks of age.
HOUSING & MANAGEMENT OF LAYERS
A comfortable, easy to clean and manage, providing sufficient area for the comfort of the bird is essential requisite for getting optimum growth and production in layer farming.
