How many eggs a day a chicken lays: how you can increase egg production. Indicators of daily egg production of chickens

Kira Stoletova

Raising chickens is a profitable business, the main benefit of which is obtaining eggs and meat. These products have become so integrated into our diet that it is very difficult to imagine your life without them. But breeders have always been interested in the question of how many years the chickens are rushing and is every day the livestock rushing with full care and proper maintenance?

Eggs and meat are rich in various useful microelements: vitamins and amino acids. In addition, the hen's egg itself is assimilated by the human body by 98%, which is why these products are so highly valued among the people. Having decided to keep layers at home, you need to know not only about the features of caring for them, but also about how many years the chickens are rushing.

When the birds start to fly

One of the most important factors that affect at what age birds begin to fly and how long chickens fly, is the feathered breed. It is most rational to contain for such purposes. Such a chicken is carried from the age of five months. The eggs themselves are small in size, and their color depends on what breed the bird itself is. In addition, products from the first clutches have a large yolk. By 8 months, the weight and size of the eggs increases, and the yolk decreases.

Chickens can start laying eggs earlier. It all depends on the emotional state of the winged. Keeping domestic chickens is not easy. The breeder should choose a safe, quiet place for them. If it is located next to a road, it can affect the period of egg production, its beginning and duration. In addition, if other birds live on the farm, this can also negatively affect productivity. Any psychological discomfort is reflected in how many eggs hens can lay per day, week, or even year. Therefore, the breeder should fulfill all the necessary requirements so that the layers give him the desired profit.

Conditions for the duration of the bird productivity period

In a household environment, chickens begin to lay eggs early, from 4-6 months.

But the length of the productive period is difficult to predict. The highest rate - up to 300 eggs per year - is achieved due to the individual characteristics of crosses or common breeds. In addition, much depends on the correctness of the actions of the breeder. The egg production of poultry is affected by:

1. Features of the diet. containing the correct proportion of proteins, fats and carbohydrates affects the health of chickens. The stronger their immunity, the better the productivity and its duration. In addition, it is important that the food consumed by birds has a sufficient amount of vitamins and minerals contained in vegetables, herbs, shells and other products.
2. Conditions of detention. the hen house should be protected from drafts, and have a heating system, which is necessary for birds in the cold season. It is also important that feeders and drinkers are installed inside the house for birds to have easy access to.
3. Genetic factor. Layers that are of the egg breed will lay eggs longer than others. In addition, the characteristics of the bird's immunity to various diseases are also important, which also affect productivity.
4. Chick hatch time period.

In households, the bird rushes up to 2 years. Of these, only 12-18 months are most beneficial for the farmer. After this period, productivity decreases, as does the quality of the eggs themselves. After 2 years, no matter how hard a person tries, the egg production rate will decrease and it will be inappropriate to keep such winged ones.

If you do not cull chickens older than 2 years, the taste of meat also deteriorates, so the breeder should consider the need to rotate the livestock in advance. The farmer must raise chickens or acquire new ones. But there are also exceptions. Some chickens can be beneficial for keeping because, despite their mature age, they continue to make a profit for the breeder. But all such cases are individual and rare, so you should carefully monitor the livestock and timely identify and eliminate unproductive individuals.

Every farmer should know about it

In order to maintain domestic chickens correctly, without losses and problems, you should also be aware that there are pauses during the egg-laying period.

They can be caused by deficiencies in care and feeding, as well as by the characteristics of the immune system. Often, the interruption of the production period is due to natural molt, which each bird undergoes once in its entire life. This process starts at one year of age and lasts up to 5 months. Some layers are more susceptible and should be rejected for. Healthy chickens molt quickly and in parts.

Laying hens can also suffer from painful shedding, which also affects performance. How long such a pause lasts depends on the state of the hens' immunity, as well as the actions of the breeder. Most often, the main culprits of this phenomenon are:

1. content errors;
2. lack of nutrients in the daily diet;
3. stress;
4. hormonal disruptions.

In a home environment, the artificial molt method shows a good effect. After the completion of the plumage change, the chicken rushes more actively and better. Artificial molting can be caused in different ways (hormonal, zootechnical, etc.). The main thing is to consult a veterinarian before this, so that human actions do not lead to irreversible consequences.

Keeping productivity on the same level

The number of eggs per day, month and per year will be produced by a laying hen that is kept in a household, many factors affect. Some of them can be influenced in their favor by the breeder himself. In order to constantly maintain the level of your own profit, you should systematically change the herd that rushes. Old, unproductive birds are discarded, leaving only profitable chickens. But no less important is the replenishment of the brood. The number of adult chickens that still continue to lay should not exceed 40% of all livestock. The remaining majority are young.

The process of replenishing the livestock also has its own characteristics, which include:

1. The need to keep new chickens isolated from the old stock. The birds may not get along together, as well as contract infectious diseases from each other.
2. The place where future chickens will live must be cleaned and disinfected, a chicken coop that was previously operated and not cleaned is dangerous for young chickens. They can get sick.
3. The chicken coop should be equipped with a special one for walking. It is best to place it on the grass, which hens can eat, replenishing their diet with useful substances.

It is impractical to keep old birds. Already after 2 years, their productivity falls, the quality of their meat deteriorates. Plus, they eat the same way. As soon as the cost of feeding ceases to pay off, individual birds are culled. A novice farmer can also be guided by how many months are given to laying hens for existence. For production purposes, chickens are culled by 11 months. In the household, it is better to produce it up to 2 years.

In addition, every breeder should be aware of the peculiarities of bird care. Sometimes egg production rates decrease due to improper human selection work. Only healthy individuals, purebred chickens without defects in development should be left for further maintenance.

The number of eggs produced by a hen during the reproductive period depends on from the time of entering puberty and from the breed, which determines the direction of the farmer's economic activity. So, if the representatives meat and egg rocks capable of laying for 4 years, then the reproductive capabilities of chickens egg directions are exhausted through 1.5-2 years... In order to increase the period during which the laying hens retain the ability to lay clutches, experts recommend revising the bird's diet, ensuring the intake of vitamin supplements, vegetables, herbs and nutritious feed mixtures into its body. On the other hand, motivated by the desire to increase the profitability of laying hens, some breeders are purchasing hybrid breeds. They are distinguished by their ability to produce eggs not from 4 months (like egg) or 6-8 months (for meat and egg breeds), but several weeks ahead of schedule.

Note! Experts do not recommend accelerating the onset of laying, since this may not only be fraught with the appearance of pathologies associated with the load on the under-formed organs of the bird's reproductive system, but also lead to the appearance of small eggs.

The peculiarities of the physiological cycle of laying in chickens include the fact that even under the best conditions of keeping, more than one egg per day does not have time to form in the hen's body. Despite this, there are known cases of clutches of eggs with several yolks (2-9) surrounded by several layers of a protective shell. However, such products are exceptions to the rule and represent process deviations.

By the way! The process of egg formation, starting from the yolk entering the mother cell, through its movement along the oviduct, during which the yellow substance is enveloped with a protein mass and a layer of shell, takes from 23 to 26 hours. not less than half an hour.

In a day

The number of eggs brought by a chicken per day, therefore, cannot exceed one piece, in real conditions this figure is 1 piece per 1.5-2 days. However, in the winter period of time, a chicken can carry, with an initial productivity of 1 piece per day, only one clutch per several days for breeds of the egg direction, or, in general, suspend the work of the reproductive system. The latter fact may be due to the instincts of the bird, according to which it is not the best time in terms of the potential survival of the offspring.

In Week

Depending on the course of individual biorhythms, laying hens can bring from 1 to 7 eggs per week. The average number of clutches per week for most breeds is 3 to 4 per week. Fluctuations in productivity in this case are due to the seasonal factor, the breed of the layer, the diet of the hen, and the length of daylight hours in the hen house.

Per month

The number of eggs produced by a hen during a month is rarely less than 15 pieces, the maximum achievable result for layers with high productivity rates is about 30 pieces per month. Average monthly egg production rates for chickens of various breeds range from 18-24 pieces per month.

In year

The annual productivity of layers is in direct proportion to the conditions of keeping. So, as a result of the action of unfavorable factors, for example, lack of feed or sunlight, chickens may stop rushing even in a warm period. On the other hand, provided the recommended rational parameters are provided, laying hens' egg production rates can reach 330-340 eggs per year. The minimum number of clutches brought by chickens during the year, provided acceptable conditions are maintained, is 200, while the average annual egg production is at a fairly high level and fluctuates in the range of 280-300 eggs per year.

What determines the quantitative indicator of egg production in chickens, how to increase it

Some experts argue that the period during which it is possible to achieve an increase in productivity by adjusting the diet and conditions of the laying hens is a very limited period of time. For egg breeds, it is in the range between the time the bird reaches its optimal performance (6-8 months) and the period during which a steady decline in egg production begins (1-2 years). Nevertheless, experienced farmers identify a number of factors, the correction of which, according to their observations, led to an increase in egg production in chickens.

So, an increase in the productivity of layers contributes to:

• Keeping birds in a chicken coop with a sufficient number free area per individual.

• Security regular replacement of livestock, usually about 70-80% of the herd is renewed.

Note! The optimal time for this is the period before the onset of cold weather for birds in the second year of the active laying period.

• Experts say that it is impossible to achieve optimal performance using dry feed alone. It is necessary to provide even distribution over 2-3 portions of the daily ration of layers avoiding starvation or overfeeding.

Important! Revision of the diet of layers, which should contain wet mash, greens and mineral and vitamin complexes, phosphorus and calcium, necessary for the formation of the shell, eliminates the depletion of the chicken. It is necessary to ensure the intake of fats, proteins and carbohydrates into the body of chickens in the recommended proportions. Some breeders have achieved increased productivity of chickens by using different types of grain with the addition of milk or water.

• Security safety of laid eggs achieved by organizing inclined trays, excluding their damage and theft by pests.
• Systematic conduct a set of measures aimed at maintaining the health of poultry.

• Ensuring the systematic implementation of the necessary sanitary and hygienic procedures for the maintenance of the chicken coop premises(cleaning, disinfection, bedding change).
• To increase the productivity of birds, you should provide them with optimal daylight hours. Usually, artificial lighting is used for this using incandescent lamps, the duration of which should be at least 12 hours.

Note! Excessive daylight hours cause fatigue in chickens. In this regard, the dark period of the day in a chicken coop should be at least 10 hours to ensure proper rest of the livestock.

• Disappearance of egg production may be related to molting period at the livestock. Experts note that the time required to change the down cover is about 1 month. However, experienced farmers can speed up this physiological process by completely restricting food and fluid. Under the conditions created by the coming stressful situation, the molting process takes several days. After its completion, it is necessary to create optimal conditions for keeping layers and use a balanced diet, while good productivity, according to breeders, will be restored in a few days.
• Experienced breeders claim that increased egg production can be achieved by ensuring comfortable indicators of the microclimate of the room. Their recommendations concern, in particular, the optimal modes of air humidity, which, according to their observations, should be in the range of 60-70%.

Important! The maintenance of comfortable temperature conditions has a significant effect on the number of clutches. To do this, it is necessary to insulate the premises of the chicken coop and, if necessary, use additional heating using infrared lamps.

• It is not recommended to ignore the important role that the daily exercise.

Note! For its implementation, it is necessary to equip a special area, isolated from wind and snow, and ensure daily walking of the livestock for 1-2 hours.

Video: how to increase the egg production of chickens

How does the breed affect the egg production of chickens: comparative indicators of egg production of the most popular

Improving herd performance can be achieved by optimizing the factors listed above. In this case, the main factor that determines egg production in chickens is their breed. It is the variety that ensures the receipt of a certain number of eggs per unit of time, largely determines their mass and features of the reproductive process. A clear illustration of this is the following comparative performance indicators for the main breeds of layers, including:

• Lohman Brown provides an annual productivity of 315-320 pieces per year with an average weight of each egg 34-63 g.

• High Line produces about 340-350 pieces per year, weighing in the range of 60-65 g.

• Hisex White (White) brings clutch of 300-315 pieces per year with an average weight of each in the range of 63-64 g.
  
• Hisex Brown provides productivity at the level of 280-300 pieces per year with an average weight of each about 70 g.
  
• Leghorn yields from 200 to 250 and even 300 eggs per year with an average weight ranging from 55-65 g.
  
• Russian white the breed is distinguished by average productivity indicators, providing a clutch of 200-240 pieces per year with weight fluctuations in the range of 55-60 g.
  
• Expected breeding performance New Hampshire is 180-240 pieces per year with an average weight of 60-70 g.
  
• Breckel brings about 190 pieces per year, weighing from 58 to 60 g.
  
• Russian Crested the breed is capable of producing 160-180 pieces per year with an average weight of 55-60 g.

From the data presented, it is clear that the variety of hens is the main factor determining both the potential production of layers and the average weight of eggs. The difference in productivity, which for different breeds ranges from 1.5 to 2 times, is explained by the constitution of the quads and the direction that determines the direction of the farmer's efforts, the mode of maintenance and the diet of the chickens. Thus, the distinctive features of egg laying hens are small dimensions, early start of laying and high mobility. For chickens of the meat and egg direction, the characteristic features are good productivity with a developed physique, however, they differ in a longer period of formation of the reproductive system and entry into the age of oviposition.

Note! As a separate species, experts distinguish hybrid breeds of laying hens, providing laying of 310-320 pieces per year. To the disadvantages of this breed, farmers attribute the impossibility of reproduction due to artificial means and used for breeding the breed.

The potential egg production of hens is one of the main parameters determining the benefit to a breeder from raising hens. Depending on the chosen direction of activity (production of meat and / or eggs), the farmer chooses a certain breed of laying hens, which largely determines their productivity, and therefore the producer's profit. However, experienced breeders argue that there are opportunities to increase egg production, which primarily include creating near-optimal conditions for the herd and adjusting the diet of the herd.

In contact with

Often you have to deal with how many eggs a chicken lays during the day, month, year. The interest in its maintenance depends on how many eggs you can get from the chicken. But before answering this question, you need to understand the features of egg-laying.

When chickens start to lay

The laying period begins at the time of puberty, which depends on which direction of productivity the bird belongs to. As you know, egg breeds of chickens ripen faster. On average, egg-laying begins from 4.5-5 months of the bird's life. Chickens belonging to the meat and egg direction mature longer and begin to lay eggs in 6 - 6.5 months. Meat chickens are the latest breeds to mature, laying eggs at 7-8 months. High egg production is not the preferred direction for such breeds, all the energy is spent on building muscle mass.

How quickly a farmer can get his first egg production is influenced by the place where the hens were purchased. If the birds are bought at a breeding farm or poultry farm, then the farmer knows exactly the breed / cross of poultry, can navigate by productivity, predict how much production he can get approximately by studying the characteristics of the chickens he purchased. If the poultry is purchased on the market, you should not rely on purebred chickens, mainly mixed chickens are sold there. It is impossible to predict any time frame when the chicken will begin to lay and how many eggs will be given.

How many eggs does a hen lay per year

The annual productivity of a chicken indicates in which direction it belongs, of course, egg chickens provide the most egg production per year. According to their external qualities, they are small in size and increased motor activity. The average productivity of egg breeds is 200-240 eggs, egg hybrids yield 280-320. Summer time is the most fruitful, the bird rushes every day, in winter you can get eggs much less often. Meat and egg breeds of chickens demolish 160-180 pieces per year, meat ones lay eggs less (another direction of productivity). They produce 120-160 eggs per year. But the eggs of chickens of meat breeds are large.

How many eggs does a hen lay per month

From egg breeds, 18-27 eggs are obtained. From chickens meat and egg direction 12-16, and from meat on average up to 12 pieces.

How many eggs does a hen lay per day

A good egg laying hen can lay one egg per day. It all depends on how long it will take to form inside the bird's body. On average, 1 egg per day is obtained from eggs. From meat and egg chickens once every two days, from meat breeds once every three days. It should be borne in mind that egg-laying is affected by the molting period and the appearance of the brooding instinct in birds.

Ways to increase egg production in chickens

Productivity is influenced by many factors, first of all, it is necessary to start with the diet, it must be nutritious, contain a sufficient amount of vitamins, amino acids and mineral components. A properly composed diet will not only increase egg production, but also strengthen the immune system, and the quality and quantity of eggs will be higher. The rate of introduction of the diet for chicken must be controlled, to prevent obesity, which lowers the number of eggs. In addition to the diet, various premixes and special compound feeds are used for laying hens, designed to increase the number of eggs obtained.

Look at: lighting, ambient temperature and bird conditions. If it is grown in cages, then the microclimate is the main factor, as it must be maintained throughout the year. Stress should not be allowed when temperature and mode change. If birds are kept on the floor, the litter should be dry, clean and changed frequently. If it remains dirty for a long time, it means that the humidity rises and microorganisms multiply, leading to the disease of the bird and weakening of the immune system. If a bird can lay in an unheated chicken coop, egg production may simply stop when the temperature drops below freezing. Heat in the chicken coop still needs to be created. Daylight hours are 12-14 hours in winter, when natural light is reduced.

How many years do chickens fly

Despite the created conditions, the breed and individual characteristics of the bird, you need to understand that their productivity is not endless. They reach their peak in the number of eggs in the second year of life, after which they decrease by 15% per year. Egg chickens at poultry farms are replaced every year, but chickens living at home live up to 3-5 years. It is economically unprofitable to use them further, the feed consumption is stable, and the meat will lose its taste and usefulness. The most valuable breeds of birds do not live more than 5 years. The number of eggs laid is reduced, and their quality can no longer be used as hatching eggs.

The optimal lifespan for a chicken, when the economic and useful part obtained from it is the same, is 2-3 years. Of course, the lifespan of chickens depends on the farmer and on the goals of raising and keeping the poultry.

• meat;
• egg;
• mixed (meat and egg).

It is interesting that you can get egg products from all of the above chickens, but its quantity will be completely different. A maximum of a hundred eggs can be obtained from a laying hen in 365 days, but more than three hundred from an egg hybrid.

How is the egg direction characterized

Before talking about the amount of egg production per month that can be obtained from one chicken, it is worthwhile to understand in more detail the characteristics of these birds.

First of all, this includes early maturity. In laying hens, puberty occurs early, and the first eggs are obtained from 6 months of age.

Egg-bearing chickens are lightweight, reaching an average of about 1.5 kg. Also, the bird is highly physically active. Laying requires not only a correct diet, but also constant movement. If you pay attention to the egg-laying hen, you will see that the bird is actively moving all day.

Calcium consumption increases. The bird on its own cannot get the necessary trace element, which means that you will have to use special feeding so that the balance is not disturbed.

There is no maternal instinct. Most hybrids during hatching have almost completely lost the ability to hatch chickens, their main task is to lay eggs in large numbers.

To summarize the above, egg crosses have only one positive feature - egg laying.

A few words about performance

It is worth noting that no one has made accurate calculations, there are only approximate parameters for each of the breeds. But even here there is a very serious variation in numbers. The fact is that there are a huge number of factors that affect the performance of a bird. This should include such important indicators as:

• keeping chickens;
• seasonality;
• the presence of stressful situations.

On average, in 30 days, one chicken is capable of laying about 29 eggs, and in some cases even less. What caused such indicators?

It is worth turning to biology here. The egg is a large egg, which is located in the albuminous membrane and is covered with a shell for preservation. After the yolk ripens and enters the oviduct, the overgrowth of the protein component begins, the movement of the future egg forward and the formation of the shell. Nature has given a little more than 24 hours for this process, and so far no way has been found to accelerate this process. But when unfavorable conditions appear, the process slows down perfectly.

What determines egg production

First of all, you need to choose the right breed. The record number of eggs - more than 370 - can be obtained only in the conditions of research farms. Even the most experienced breeders do not get more than 350 eggs from their pets, on average this figure drops to three hundred, which is just an excellent result.

In the following table, you can familiarize yourself with the different breeds and egg production rates.

Breed name	Number of eggs in 365 days	Average weight of a laying hen, kg	Egg product weight, g
New Hampshire
Lohmann Browns
Highsex browns
Highsex white

Ways to increase productivity

Every farmer thinks about the egg production of chickens and stable productivity indicators for 365 days a year. It is not very easy to cope with such a task, but it is possible if you know some subtleties.

First of all, chickens need to create conditions as close to ideal as possible, and provide the livestock with a properly balanced diet. Most often, in a small farm, you can notice how in the summer the amount of egg production increases significantly, and with the onset of cold weather it decreases. Such fluctuations are caused by a decrease in temperature indicators, even taking into account the fact that chickens are indoors, moreover, some types of feed are no longer available. But in an industrial poultry farm, the above-described jumps are absent due to the fact that the livestock is in approximately the same conditions all year round.

In order to get the maximum amount of egg production and stabilize the indicators, the owners of private farms are advised to pay attention to the following factors:

It is important to remember that with age, the performance of layers decreases, and this does not depend on external factors.

The classification of chickens is done taking into account the direction of their main productivity: meat, meat and egg. Chickens lay eggs in all directions, but in varying quantities. If for beef breeds the maximum annual number of eggs does not exceed 100, then egg-laying hybrid chickens can lay up to 350 eggs per year.

Interesting fact. In chickens, at the genetic level, there is an inverse relationship between egg production and body weight. And if we add to this the desire of breeders to increase egg production, it becomes clear why in developed countries the meat of layers is not used for food. In addition to the fact that such a carcass has more bones than meat, muscles are blue, adipose tissue is almost completely absent, and it will take at least three hours to cook. During this time, all vitamins from the "eco-friendly home" chicken will disappear.

Before you know how many eggs a laying hen lays per month, you need to get acquainted with its distinctive characteristics.

1. Rapid onset of puberty. The first eggs are laid at six months of age.
2. Low body weight. The live weight of adult layers is about 1.5 kg, the weight of the gutted carcass is less than a kilogram.
3. High physical activity. The peculiarities of laying eggs require not only special feed, but also constant movement. Chickens are on the move almost all day.
4. Increased need for calcium. It is difficult to find the right amount in the natural way; in most cases, calcium should be added to the feed.
5. Partial or complete loss of hatching instinct. If the instinct has survived, then it manifests itself only for 2-3 years of life, and until that age it is inexpedient to keep laying hens from the point of view of the economy.

As can be seen from the general characteristics, in addition to egg production, layers no longer have any advantages. Now you can find out how many eggs are given by layers per month.

Laying hens performance

No one can give an exact calculation, there is always the word "approximately", indicators even for one breed can fluctuate within very wide limits. Too many unforeseen factors can affect the egg production of chickens, some of them depend on the person, while others do not. There are some that modern science only suspects. Egg production is influenced not only by the conditions of detention, the diet or the season, but also by the stressful situation, the presence of loud sounds, foreign animals, etc.

How many eggs does a laying hen lay per month? The question interests only novice poultry farmers, experienced ones themselves know - from 0 to 29 pieces. Why is there such a spread and why is there a maximum? It is worth dealing with this in more detail.

Why can't a laying hen lay more than 29 eggs a month

This limitation is set by Mother Nature. An egg at its core is a large egg located in a protein and closed from damage by the shell. As soon as the yolk is ripe, it enters the oviduct, as it moves, it becomes overgrown with protein and becomes covered with a shell. Biologically, this process takes 25 hours, it cannot be accelerated. On the other hand, various negative factors can significantly slow down or completely stop the egg-laying process. What measures should be taken to increase the egg production of laying hens?

Choosing the right breed

The record is 371 eggs, but such indicators can only be achieved on special research farms. None of the most experienced producers have surpassed 350 eggs, but most consider it a great success to hit 300 eggs.

What kind of chickens should private owners buy?

Breed name	Annual egg production, pieces	Chicken weight, kg	Egg weight, g
	200–240	Up to 3.3	55–60
	200–240	Up to 2.0	55–65
	180–240	Up to 3.0	60–70
	315–320	Up to 2.0	63–64
	180–200	Up to 2.2	58–60
	160–180	Up to 2.0	55–60
	340–350	Up to 1.7	60–65
	280–300	Up to 2.0	70
	280–300	Up to 1.8	63

These are the maximum physiological capabilities of each breed. But the specific values ​​depend on several factors that can be influenced.

How to increase egg production

It is advisable not only to increase the number of eggs, but also to achieve stability of indicators all year round. For this, a set of special measures should be carried out to ensure optimal conditions of detention and a balanced diet. In personal subsidiary plots, egg production rises in summer, while in winter it decreases significantly due to fluctuations in room temperature and imbalance in feed. In modern industrial poultry farms, such leaps are not observed. What do you need to pay attention to in order to achieve maximum stable performance indicators?

1. Diet. Underfeeding, like overfeeding, is equally harmful to layers. Meals should be extended over time, feed is always fresh and free of mold. The composition of feeds in terms of nutrients and microelements is very important. Currently, there are special sets of microadditives on the market, their use gives tangible positive results. The main condition is strict adherence to the consumption rates recommended by the manufacturer.

   

2. Temperature conditions. Chickens, like all birds, react sharply to temperature deviations from favorable values. Too high and too low values ​​significantly reduce egg production. In the summer, the chicken coop needs to be ventilated, and in the winter, measures must be taken to increase the temperature. You should be aware that when the oxygen content is lowered by only a few percent, a massive pestilence can begin in birds. The air quality in the poultry house must always comply with current regulations.

   

3. Illumination. Everyone knows the concept of "night blindness". As soon as the light dims slightly, the hens get ready for bed. They move less, eat less and, as a result, egg production decreases. The duration of daylight hours should be at least 12 and not more than 14 hours. This should be closely monitored. It is better to use modern economical lamps as lighting lamps, general losses on electricity can significantly increase the cost of eggs.

   

4. Air humidity. The optimal values ​​of relative humidity are 60–70%, otherwise the comfort of staying in the hen house decreases, layers of hens reduce productivity.
5. The number of layers per unit area. It is recommended to have no more than four layers per square meter of free space. Careful attention must be paid to the manufacture of cages, roosting places, etc. The use of metal elements during the manufacture of night resting places is strongly discouraged, the metal conducts heat well, and this can cause hypothermia of the legs.

   

6. Winter exercise. As soon as possible, it is recommended to release chickens for a short walk in winter. This is not only good for their health, but also serves as a natural stimulus to increase egg production.

   

   

And the last thing. With each year of life, the egg production of chickens decreases by about 20%, regardless of the conditions of keeping and feeding.

Traditional methods for determining good layers

What did our grandmothers pay attention to before deciding what to do with the chicken: to leave it alive for the eggs or to prepare it for sending to the pan. First of all, the appearance. The hen should have bright shiny plumage, a red scallop and a clean bottom. This is direct evidence of her health, a sure sign that you can expect good egg production from her.

This was followed by more complex manipulations - the grandmothers determined the physiological characteristics of the development of the skeleton - the distance between the posterior end of the sternum and the beginning of the pubic bones. The chicken was clamped between the knees, the legs were held with the left hand, and the distance in the "fingers" was measured with the right hand. If two or one fingers were placed, then the laying hen was rejected, there will be no current from it. Four fingers were included - great, if three, then you can still wonder what to do with the chicken.

Good layers should have thin, straight pubic bones and be free of fat. A large, bulging and hard belly testified that the laying hen swam with fat, you should not expect many eggs from her. Productive hens should have a soft belly. A small belly is the worst diagnosis, it makes no sense to keep such a hen. Only the feed is wasted and the meat grows old and tougher.

How to increase egg production at the expense of a chicken coop

The floors in the room should only be wooden, never concrete. You should not make high ceilings, in low rooms it is easier to keep the optimum temperature in winter. Natural ventilation is a must, but it should be done in such a way as to avoid drafts in the place where chickens spend the night. The area of ​​the windows is not less than 10% of the floor area, thus it will be possible to maintain favorable illumination indicators for a long time. Before wintering, it is imperative to disinfect the chicken coop from ticks and other pests.

The perches should be only wooden, the diameter of the poles is not more than 5 cm, for each chicken there should be at least 20 cm of the poles, but it is better to have a stock. Firstly, you can easily increase the number of poultry if necessary. Secondly, the chickens will quickly fall asleep, they will not interfere with each other with every movement. One nest should be placed for 5–6 hens. In the beginning, it is recommended to make a larger number and arrange in different places. As soon as the chickens choose the most suitable location for themselves, the nests are transferred there. Hay in the nest should be replaced periodically with new one. After each change, an egg is laid on the hay to attract chickens, as soon as they begin to lay, the bait egg is removed.

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