LAYER MANAGEMENT
Current Scenario:
• India ranks 5th in world egg production
• ICMR recommendation - 180 eggs / annum / person
• Tamil Nadu ranks 2nd in egg production.
1990 1995 2000(e) 2020(p)
• Egg production 23 27 33 120
(billion)
Egg Availability 28 30 33 90
per person
Human population 846 916 1000 1337
MANAGEMENTAL SYSTEMS
Free Range System
Semi Intensive System
Intensive System
Open Sided
# Deep Litter
Environment Controlled
# Cage
# Elevated Cage
LOCATION OF THE FARM
Elevated location with good drainage facilities
Unfit for agricultural operations
Power connections
Well connected by road
Sufficient potable water
Away from other poultry farms ( min 5kms)
Away from residential area
Nearer to the market place
HOUSE CONSTRUCTION
Þ No. of house construction will depend on system/s of management.
Þ Layer house arrangement 1+3,1+1+5 or 1+1+6.
Þ Long. Axis should be E-W oriented.
Þ Width not to exceed 30 ft.
Þ Length can be between 100 to 200 feet
Þ Side walls 1ft to 3 ft in height
Þ Over the side wall chicken mesh fixed upto 6 to 9ft.
Þ Roof can be asbestos or tiles.
Þ Concrete flooring is must.
INNOVATION IN LAYER HOUSING
Elevated Cage Systems
Advantages
*Better ventilation, healthy flock, better egg production
*Better temperature and humidity control
*Minimize incoming dust
*Dilutes disease causing organisms
*Higher number of eggs/hen and better quality eggs
Construction details
*Pillar height - 4.5ft to 6ft
*Length maximum - 450ft
*Wire mesh height - 8ft to 10ft
*Height of roof - 14ft
*Automation in feeder and water preferred
BROODER MANAGEMENT (0-8 wks)
- Temperature requirement (950 F)
- Lighting 24hrs (1-2 watts/chick)
- Relative humidity (50 to 60%)
- Good ventilation
- Brooding capacity (500 chicks per brooder)
- Types of brooding
# Gas brooding
# Electric brooding
# Coal brooding
BROODER MANAGEMENT (0-8 wks)
Space requirements
# Floor space 7 to 10 inch/chick
# Water space 0-2 weeks 0.5 cms
3-12 eeks 1.0 to 1.5 cms
# Feeder space 2.5 to 6.5cm/bird
Other managemental practices
# Continuous water provision
# 3 to 4 times feeding per day
# Feed and water arrangement like spokes of wheel
# Dry litter maintenance
TYPICAL BROODER ARRANGEMENT
GROWER MANAGEMENT ( 9-20 wks)
« Lighting only natural day light
« Temperature 75 - 800 F
« Litter
t Height 6 - 8 inches height
t Moisture 20 - 30%
Space requirement
t Floor space 1 sq.ft/bird
t Waterer space 1.5 to 2.0 inches/bird
t Feeder space 3 to 4 inches/bird
Other managemental practices
t Provision of clean water
t 2 to 3 times feeding/day
LAYER MANAGEMENT (21-72 wks)
* Space requirement
> Floor space - 2 sq.ft/bird
> Waterer space - 2 to 3 inches/bird
> Feeder space - 4 to 5 inches/bird
* Optimum temperature - 210 C (700 F)
* Humidity - 50% to 60%
* Air velocity - 200 ft/minute
* Litter height - 1 to 1.5 feet
* Other managemental practices
> Provision of clean water
> 2 to 3 times feeding
> 3 to 4 times egg collection
> Nest boxes required in deep litter
LIGHTING MANAGEMENT
F Step up lighting programme 1/2 hr extra light / week from 18th week onwards
F Total photoperiod - 16 hrs reached at 26th week and maintained during full layering stage
F Early lighting or late lighting undesirable
F Tube light every 10 feet in the laying shed.
F Arrangement of tube light in zig -zag manner
F Light intensity @1 watt per bird
F Brighter lights may be preferred in Cage systems due to deck arrangement
BIOSECURITY
* Distance between two farms - at least 5kms
* Distance between two sheds - at least 30 feet
* Availability of waste disposal pit / incinerator
* Regular water sanitation
* Clean feeding practices
* Prevention of visitors, wild birds, predators etc.,
* Appropriate vaccination schedule to be followed
* Identification and disposal of sick birds
* Regular de-worming
* De-beaking done at 3 week and 16 weeks of age
VACCINATION SCHEDULE
S. No Age Type of vaccine Route
01 Day old Marek’s vaccine s/c
02 5-7 days Ranikhet DV(F) i/n or i/o
03 14-16 days Infectious Bursal (IBD) i/o
04 20th day Infectious Bronchitis water
05 28-30 days Ranikhet DV (Lasota) water
06 35-40 days Infectious Bursal (IBD) i/o
07 9th week Ranikhet DV (K ) s/c
08 10th week Fowl Pox wing web
09 13th week Infectious Bronchitis water
10 18th week Ranikhet DV (K or R2B) s/c
11 30-32 week Ranikhet DV (K or R2B) s/c