HN Layers Rearing 9 to 15 weeks

REARING PERIOD (9 – 15 WEEKS) · How to ensure weight gain and development during the last week of the rearing period. · How to train the intake capacity to be ready for the production peak. · How to prepare hens for the production period.

BODY WEIGHT

Feed Cumul. (g / bird)

1

65

10

70

2

120

16

182

3

180

22

336

4

250

28

532

5

331

33

763

6

418

39

1036

7

508

43

1337

8

597

48

1673

9

682

52

2037

If birds are under the weight standard: Some compensatory weight can be gained by maintaining grower feed for several weeks. However, this is very limited and the production period should be delayed.

10

763

55

2422

11

841

58

2828

12

915

61

3255

13

986

64

3703

For weighing protocol see page 57.

14

1055

67

4172

15

1122

69

4655

16

1190

73

5166

17

1260

77

5705

18

1329

81

6272

19

1393

85

6867

20

1448

92

7511

If birds are within the weight standard or slightly above: Train feed intake capacity for the production peak challenge.

Promote weight uniformity.

Diet

STARTER

Feed (g / bird /day)

GROWER

Body Weight (g)

DEVELOPER

Age (weeks)

The feed intake is higher than in previous weeks. The birds may be given a more diluted feed.

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Table 4: Pullet Feed Consumption

PRE-LAY

Weight gain as a percentage will slow in this period, but the chicks will continue to grow and develop. Most of the skeleton and muscular systems have already been formed by now and fat disposal will now begin to improve. A correct fat level in the body is necessary to achieve the production peak.

Overweight birds will face many issues in production.

Arrival / Housing of chicks

Brooding 1 – 21 days

Growing 3 – 9 weeks

Rearing 9 – 15 weeks

Transfer 15 – 18 weeks

Onset of Production 18 – 25 weeks

Production 25 – 100 weeks

FEED INTAKE TRAINING During the last weeks of the rearing period, the nutritional requirement is not very high.

However, it will change dramatically in the first weeks of production. To help the hens deal with this challenge it is beneficial to train them to increase their feed intake during the end of the rearing period.

To do this, try: Low density feed. From 10 to 15 weeks, it can be useful to switch to a feed (2700 Kcal, 15 % CP, 4.5 % fibre) that promotes feed intake.

Feed distribution program allow hens to empty the feeders completely during the day (see below diagram).

Move feed for the next day. Once a week, you can withhold feed in the afternoon (20 – 30 % daily ration) and feed it the next morning instead. Check for uniform distribution and do not reduce the twoday ration and refill the feeder as many time as needed.

Attn: this is only possible if the hens are kept at the right stocking density and there is enough feeder space.

Gizzard with (left) o without (right) feed intake training

Amount of feed in the trays

Feed distribution in rearing from 10 to 16 weeks

DARK

LIGHT

DARK

50–60 % Low feed level in the trough

of the amount of feed (Ad Libitum)

Day (24 hours)

KEY POINTS · Ensure body weight gain and correct development by maintaining feed consumption. · Train hens to develop a good feed intake capacity by working with diluted feed and adapted feeding times. · Remove non-productive birds from the flock.

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