Lachance Nutrition ｜How to Feed Laying Hens During the Early, Peak, and Late Laying Periods to Maximize Their Production Potential

01.Key points of feeding management during the early stages of egg laying

The transfer of growing chickens into the laying hen house is the most important time for the development of the chicken flock. On the one hand, it is necessary to maintain weight gain, and on the other hand, it is necessary to ensure the development of the reproductive system and prepare for the peak egg production period. After the chickens lay eggs, the egg production rate increases rapidly, and the egg weight also gradually increases. Ensuring adequate nutrition is the foundation for giving full play to production performance!

After the grown-up chickens are transferred to the laying hens, they are fed pre-laying feed. The calcium requirement in the diet increases from 1% to 2.5%. During this period, the chicken's ovaries, combs, and beards develop rapidly, and the feed intake increases significantly. increasing. When the egg production rate of the chickens reaches 5%, feeding the feed during the peak egg production period will help the chickens reach the egg production peak and avoid insufficient feed nutrition to reach the egg production peak. Bile acids can help promote the digestion and absorption of feed nutrients, help calcium absorption, help increase the egg production rate of laying hens, and help laying hens reach the peak egg production period faster.

02.Key points of feeding management during peak egg production period.

After the egg production rate reaches 90%, it can still be maintained for about four months, and the egg production rate above 80% can be maintained for a longer period of time. During the peak period of egg production, the feed should be full-priced and stable, and should not be changed lightly. The feeding time should avoid 8:00 to 10:00 am when the chickens are laying eggs intensively. During the peak egg laying period, laying hens are very sensitive to external interference factors. Avoid stress as much as possible. Breeding hens should avoid feeding in the afternoon. Feed during semen.

During the peak period of egg production, the liver itself is in a state of high load operation. Coupled with the use of high fat, high energy and a large number of unconventional raw materials, the incidence of hepatobiliary diseases in laying hens during the peak period of egg production is almost 100%. Fatty liver, liver rupture, toxin liver, drug liver, etc. often occur, leading to death of chickens.

Bile acids can help promote the digestion and absorption of feed nutrients and fats, help reduce excess fat in the body, and reduce sporadic dead chickens caused by fatty liver. Bile acids contribute to the health of the liver and intestines, improve the body's immunity and anti-stress capabilities, and extend the peak egg production period.

03.Key points of feeding management during the post-laying period.

From a chicken physiological point of view, the egg production rate will decrease after the peak egg production period. The liver has to work for a long time to digest fat. The accumulation of various toxins will cause damage to liver cells, decreased liver function, obstruction of the synthesis and absorption of fat-soluble vitamin ADE, poor calcium deposition, and brittle eggshells. At this time, the feed should be adjusted appropriately to reduce the protein content and increase the calcium content in the feed appropriately.

After the egg production peak, adding additional shell sand or coarse limestone to the feed at 3:00-4:00 pm every day can enhance the strength of eggshell formation at night. Adding bile acid can help promote fat-soluble vitamin D3 ( cod liver oil), thereby increasing the absorption of calcium and phosphorus, helping to enhance the strength of eggshells and making eggs less fragile. At the same time, active calcium polyformate is added to protect the intestines, supplement calcium and strengthen eggs.

To sum up, it is necessary to adjust the feeding formula and additives according to the different physiological characteristics and needs of laying hens in the early, peak and late stages of laying, so as to maximize production potential while saving investment!