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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