HOUSING SYSTEMS BIOSECURITY HOUSING & BROODING EARLY MANAGEMENT LIGHTING NUTRITION HEALTH HATCHING EGG MANAGEMENT 49 49 LOHMANN › MANAGEMENT GUIDE Maintaining optimal body weight and uniformity is crucial for health, productivity, and overall welfare. Proper management of these aspects ensures optimal performance. SOME BASIC POINTS UNDERSTANDING BODY WEIGHT AND UNIFORMITY ACHIEVING OPTIMAL BODY WEIGHT AND UNIFORMITY Body weight refers to the mass of the hens at various stages of their development, while uniformity indicates the consistency of body weight across a flock. Achieving and maintaining target body weights and high uniformity levels are essential for several reasons: To achieve optimal body weight and uniformity, several management practices must be implemented: HEALTH & WELFARE Proper body weight management helps prevent health issues such as prolapse, which can be caused by overweight or underweight hens. Uniformity ensures that all birds receive adequate nutrition and care, reducing stress and competition within the flock. MONITORING & WEIGHING Regular weighing of hens is crucial to track their growth and ensure they meet target body weights. This should start from the rearing period and continue throughout the production cycle. NUTRITION Providing a balanced diet tailored to the hens’ developmental stages is essential. This includes adjusting feed formulations to meet the specific needs of the birds at different ages. FEED EFFICIENCY Uniform flocks are easier to manage in terms of feeding, as they have similar nutritional requirements. This reduces feed wastage and ensures that all birds are adequately nourished. LIGHTING PROGRAMMES Proper lighting programmes help synchronise the hens' behaviour and promote uniform growth. This includes intermittent lighting during the brooding period and step-down programmes as the birds mature. HOUSING & EQUIPMENT Ensuring that the housing systems and equipment are designed to promote uniform access to feed and water is vital. This includes providing adequate space, perches, and nesting areas. PRODUCTIVITY Consistent body weight and uniformity are linked to better egg production rates. Hens that meet their target body weights at crucial stages are more likely to have higher and more consistent egg production. BODY WEIGHT AND UNIFORMITY Prolapse in layers
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy NTg2OTc2