All poultry farmer wants to get the most best out of their birds and not just eggs. Farmers want happy, healthy birds. We have listed some things you can do to keep your birds happy healthy and increase eggs production..
1. Genetic pattern of the breed of hen
Maximum production of top-quality eggs starts with a closely controlled breeding program emphasizing favorable genetic factors. Sex-Links are the most productive brown egg layers be cause they are a mix of two high productive breeds. If you were to breed a very low productive chicken with a high productive chicken, the next generation would not be nearly as productive as their high productive parent. But if you were to cross a high productive breed with another high productive breed the next generation would be just as productive or more productive than there parents. You should all look out for this.
2. Hen's age at egg-laying maturity.
Although early starters lay more eggs, maturity too early results in many small eggs. These small eggs are called pullet eggs and are just as safe to eat as any other egg. The reason they are so small is because the pullet is not completely grown , as she matures and gets bigger so will her eggs bigger.
3. Resistance to disease.
Some breeds of Hen is reinforced by good sanitation and vaccination. You would never want to breed an ill chicken they could pass the illnesses down to future generations and you would have a constant battle of your hands. Always breed the healthiest chickens together the more generations and that have healthy chickens the more resistance they build up to diseases.
4. Watch out for Light control.
Light control is primary importance both during the growing and laying periods, controlled, low-intensity light can be used to delay sexual maturity until the bird's body is big enough to produce larger eggs. Today's laying hen doesn't need to depend upon the sun to tell her when laying time has arrived. Intensity and duration of light can be adjusted to regulate production in the Fall and Winter when the days are shorter.
5. Feeding.
The amount of food hen eats depends upon the hen's size, the rate of egg production, temperature in the laying house and the energy level of the feed. In general, about 4 pounds of feed are required to produce a dozen eggs. A Leghorn chicken eats about 1/4 pound of feed per day. Brown-egg layers are slightly larger and require more food. Egg quality is affected by the type feed. Shell strength, for example, is determined by the presence and amounts of vitamin D, calcium and other minerals in the feed. Too little vitamin A can result in blood spots. Yolk color is influenced by pigments in the feed. Maximum egg size requires an adequate amount of protein and essential fatty acids.
