Avian Production Management

System of rearing - Layers

DEEP LITTER SYSTEM OF REARING - LAYERS

• Grower birds are transferred to layer houses at the end of 18^th week itself after deworming and dipping and protective vaccination against Ranikhet disease.
• Layers can be reared both on deep litter and in cages. When reared on litter, litter material has to be provided to 12-15 cm height

Space allowance

• A floor space allowance of 2 sq.ft. (1800 cm²) per bird has to be given
• Circular or linear feeders may be provided; feeder space allowance of 10-12 cm per bird bas to be given
• Furnish waterer space allowance of 2.5 cm per bird
• A linear feeder of 180 cm length and 10 cm depth will suffice for 35 layer birds
• Circular plastic or aluminium water basins may be used
• Use waterer guards on the waterers at all stages of rearing to avoid birds standing on the edge and tilting the waterers
• Provide fresh, cool water twice a day
• During laying stage 1000 birds will consume 250 litres of water per day approximately
• A circular waterer, of 45 cm diameter and 7cm depth will be sufficient for 50 birds
• Arrange the feeders and waterers alternatively at equal distance; take care to adjust their heights so as to avoid feed wastage
• Fill them only to 2/3^rd of their capacity at any time

Layer mash

• Layer mash with 18% crude protein, 2700 KCal/kg of M.E. 2.75% calcium and 0.80% available phosphorous has to be fed. Ad libitum feeding at all times has to be ensured

Nest boxes

• Nest boxes made of G.I or aluminium sheets may be provided at 45 cm height-one for every three to five birds
• The layers have to be trained to get into the nest box for laying eggs
• Otherwise, eggs laid on the floor have higher chances of breakage
• The mouth of the box should be of 30 cm width with a depth of 20 cm. Some litter material may be spread inside the nest boxes. Some farmers even tend to use pots as nest boxes as they provide cooler atmosphere to the birds experiencing stress while laying