Basic concepts of commercial and domestic layer management

   

Introduction:

Commercial layers are typically raised for egg production at large scale. Their life period is about 1 to 2 years, during which they produce a high number of eggs, between 250 to 300 eggs per annum. Few common commercial layer  breeds include White Leghorn, Rhode Island Red & ISA Brown.

On other hand, rural/backyard layers are usually kept for personal or small-scale egg production. Life span of rural layers vary between3 to 4 years. Produce less no of egg as compared to commercial ones about 150-200 annually. Some popular  rural layer breeds are Plymouth Rock,   Australorp, and fayoumi.

Management:

1. Housing: Proper ventilated, lightened house should be provided. Condition of litter should be moist free. Birds should feel comfortable according to environment.

2. Feeding: Offer a balanced diet rich in nutrients essential for egg production, such as proteins, vitamins, and minerals. Access to clean water is also crucial for the birds' health and egg production, Adult layer requires 100-120 grams feed per day varying according to breed.

• Protein

Plant sources

Soyabean meal-(42%-50%)

Sunflower meal-(38%-42%)

Canola meal-(32%-40%)

Animal sources

Blood meal(85%)

Feather meal(44%64%)

Fish meal(44%-62%)

Layer feed should contain 16-18%

• Carbohydrates

Straw, barley,wheat and rice are common sources of carbohydrates.

Rice polish is also given to poultry that contain cellulose,it is non- digestable for poultry birds, but it’s given to enhance digestibility.

Contain about 12% of feed formulation.

• Lipids/Fats

Lenoloic acid is an important fatty acid that enhance egg production in layer.

Added in the form of vegetable oil in feed.

Contain double amount of energy as compared to carbohydrates but added only up to 5% in feed due to rancid act of fats.

• Mineral

Inorganic compounds in feed.

Macro-minerals:

Required in large amount like Calcium, phosphorus and iron.

Micro-minerals:

Required in small amount like copper, zinc, Mercury etc.

Sources of minerals:

Bone powder, Sodium chloride, Egg shells, Di calcium phosphate, calcium carbonate etc.

• Vitamins

Fat soluble vitamins 

A,D,E and K

Water soluble vitamins 

B-complex ,C

Yeast and milk are natural source of vitamins.

3. Health care: vaccination schedule and proper medication must be followed to avoid any disessed or pathogenic condition. Hygenic condition should be best.

• Hygenic

A hygiene programme is a key to successful production. Following control and preventive measures should be followed for healthy layer production.

Chicks should be disease-free.

Feed should be free from aflatoxin. Do not allow visitors or attendants inside the layer house unless they wear disinfected shoes and clean clothing.

If  there are several age groups on the farm, always care for the youngest birds first.  Whenever built-up litter is used, all caked and wet litter should be removed and replaced with fresh, clean litter. Cover floor with clean litter at least 4-6 inches. 

For keeping good hygienic condition in layer housing following managemantal practices are as followed:

Poultry house temperature

On the first week 95° F is comfortable. This may be reduced at the rate of 5° F per week until 70-75° F is reached on the sixth week. 

Ventilation of Broiler house

Main function of ventilation is to maintain balanced level of oxygen and carbon dioxide.To remove excessive dust and odour of liter.

Types of ventilation :

(1) Minimum Ventilation 

Only side fans are functional  and vents are open

Formula to calculate required Ventilation (CFM)=No. Of total birds×average weight in Kg ×0.05

Mostly applicable during winter season 

(2) Transitional ventilation 

Vents are open for air inlet and fans are operational

Formula(CFM)=No. Of birds×average weight in Kg ×0.5

(3) Tunnel Ventilation 

Side vents and fans are closed 

Wind chill effect is produced by wet pads and fans on opposite side

Formula (CFM)=No. Of birds ×average weight in kg×5

 Tunnel Ventilation is applied during hot weather.

Lighting for Layer

Use of night lights, about 15 watts to each 200 square feet of floor .16 hours light is given , excessive lightening reduces egg production.day light stimulate the reproductive cycle for egg production.

Space requirement

Layer bird requires from 1 to 1.25 square feet floor space.

Debeaking

To prevent cannibalism, debeaking usually lessens mash feed wastage. Electric debeakers are easier to use that are now available in market.Debeaking is usually done on 11th week of age.

(4). Egg Collection:

Collect eggs frequently to prevent them from getting dirty or cracked. Provide clean and comfortable nesting areas for the hens to lay eggs

(5). Egg Handling:

Properly handle and store eggs to maintain their quality and freshness. Follow hygiene practices to ensure the eggs are safe for consumption.

Vaccination Schedule for domestic and Commercial Layer:

Poultry farming for  Layer farming  is getting very popular business in the world. To keep up with a high & profitable production of  eggs, disease control parameters should be followed. Following vaccination schedule should be followed to prevent viral attack:

Domestic Layer

Age (In days)	Vaccine	Route of Administration
1	Marek’s disease	S/C
1	Infectious bronchitis	Spray/ED
5	ND+H9 &ND Lasota	S/C and ED
9	IBD intermediate	via DW
12	Infectious bronchitis	ED/DW
16	IBD intermediate plus	via DW
20	ND live	ED/DW
23	Hydro	S/C
30	Fowl pox	WW
55	ND+H9 & ND live	S/C,IM &DW
60	H5 oil base	S/C or IM
65	Chicken infectious Anaemia	S/C or IM &DW
95	ND+IB+EDS	S/C
96	ND+IB	via DW

D.W stand for =via Drinking Water  

E.D=via Eye Drop

S.C=via Sub Coetaneous

I.M = via Intra- Muscular  

NOTE: Vaccine schedule different according to area, so consult local veterinarian.   

Commercial Layer

Age (in days)	Vaccine	Route of Administration
1	IBH-120+IB variant	Eye drops/Spray
5	ND+H9 killed(ND Lasota live)	Eye drops/DW + S/C
9	IBD intermediate & IBD killed	DW/ED+ S/C
16	IBD plus	DW/ED
20	H5	S/C or IM
23	ND Lasota	ED
28	IBH-120	ED
35	Fowl pox	WW
50	H5	S/C or IM
55	ND(Lasota live)+H9 killed	S/C
70	IB variant	DW
95	ND+IB+EDS	S/C or lM
96	ND+IB live	DW

Repeat ND vaccine monthly 

D.W stand by via Drinking Water.

E.D stand by via Eye Drop

S.C stand by via Sub Coetaneous

I.M stand by via Intra Muscular.

W.W stand by via Wing Web

NOTE: Vaccine schedule different according to area, so consult local veterinarian.   

Common Diseases:

Viral Diseases

• Newcastle disease
• Infectious Bursal disease
• Hydropericardium syndrome 
• Inclusion body hepatitis 
• Fowl pox
• ILT

• Infectious bronchitis 
• Avian infectious Anaemia 
• Avian influenza 
• Marek’s disease 
• Viral arthritis 

Bacterial Diseases 

• Typhoid fever 
• Avian Mycoplasmosis
• Coliform Infections
• Infectious coryza
• Pasteurellosis 
• Spirochaetosis 
• Clostridial infections 
• Listeriosis

Parasitic & Protozoal Diseases

• Blood sucker parasites(Ticks,lice,fleas)
• Tissue feeders (mites)
• GIT worms
• Coccidiosis 
• Histomoniasis 
• Trichomoniasis 
• Avian malaria 
• Toxoplasmosis 

Mycotic Diseases

• Brooder pneumonia 
• Candidiasis
• Avian Ringworm
• Histoplasmosis 
• Cryptococcoses
• Mycotoxicosis