Layer Poultry Farming

Layer poultry farming means raising egg laying poultry birds for the purpose of commercial egg production. Layer chickens are such a special species of hens, which need to be raised from when they are one day old. They start laying eggs commercially from 18-19 weeks of age. They remain laying eggs continuously till their 72-78 weeks of age. They can produce about one kg of eggs by consuming about 2.25 kg of food during their egg laying period. For the purpose of producing hybrid eggs layer, consider the various characteristics  of cock and hen before breeding. There are various types of highly egg productive layer breeds available throughout the world.

A Nepali eats 4.1kg per chicken and 44 eggs annually, well below the global average, according to a recent survey report titled “Nepal Commercial Poultry Survey 2014-15” prepared by the Central Bureau of Statistics (CBS).
Commercial production of chicken meat in Nepal stands at 114,058 tonnes annually, while egg output amounts to 1.20 billion sets annually, the CBS report said.
The global average chicken meat consumption is 12kg per person, while average per capita egg consumption is 153 units annually, according to the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations.
In the South Asia region, Nepal’s per capita chicken consumption is well above India (2.3kg) and Bangladesh (1.4kg), but below Sri Lanka (4.9kg) and Pakistan (4.3kg).
The CBS survey shows Nepal’s poultry industry has an annual turnover of Rs33.72 billion, producing chicken meat worth Rs20.52 billion, eggs worth Rs9.13 billion and chicks worth Rs3.60 billion. Sales of chicken manure amount to Rs453.72 million annually.
Chitwan is the largest producer of poultry products in the country, with the district recording a turnover of Rs10.17 billion. It produces Rs1.97 billion worth of chickens, Rs5.91 billion worth of eggs and Rs2.07 billion worth of fowl. Sales of chicken manure amount to Rs213 million annually.
After Chitwan, Kavre, Dhading, Kathmandu and Kaski are other top chicken producing districts. In terms of eggs, Chitwan tops the chart, followed by Makwanpur, Nawalparasi, Dang and Bhaktapur.
Chickens are produced commercially in 64 districts in the country and 55,871 people are engaged in the business. According to the survey, 75 percent of commercial chicken producers are making profits. 
Commercial chicken production in Nepal started in 1974. However, between 2004 and 2013, the country saw a large number of farmers shifting to the poultry business.

Layer Breeds
According to the nature and color of egg, layer hens are of two types. Short description of these two types are listed below.

• White Egg Laying Hens: This type of hens are comparatively smaller in size. Relatively eat less food, and the color of egg shell is white. Isa White, Lehman White, Nikchik, Bab Cock BV-300, Havard White, Hi Sex White, Sever White, Hi line White, Bovanch White etc. are some popular white egg laying chickens.
• Brown Egg Laying Hens: Brown egg laying hens are relatively larger in size. They eat more foods, compared to white egg layers. Lay bigger eggs than other laying breeds. Egg shell is brown colored. There are many types of brown layer available. Among those Isa Brown, Hi Sex Brown, Sever 579, Lehman Brown, Hi Line Brown, Bab Cock BV-380, Gold Line, Bablona Tetro, Bablona Harko, Havard Brown etc. are very suitable for commercial layer poultry farming.

Layer Hen Selection
You have to keep in mind some essential information before selecting the layer hens for your poultry farming business. You have to select those breeds which are suitable for your layer poultry farming business and can produce well in your area. Read below for selecting proper breeds for your business.

• For commercial eggs production, you have to chose highly productive laying hens correctly.
• All type of hens do not produce equal number of eggs.
• The chosen breeds must have to have good production capability.
• If your chosen breed contain the desired characteristic and have a reputation for egg production, then that breed is suitable for your business.
• Always purchase healthy chicks from a famous and popular hatchery. You can see their catalog before purchasing.

Keeping Chicks
During the first weeks after birth, many chicks do not want to drink water due to transporting them from one place to another. So you have to make adequate water drinking systems in their brooder house, and you have to train them for drinking water. Mix 5% glucose with water, so that they can easily get energy. Provide them any types of high quality multivitamin by mixing with water (suggested by electrolyte production companies instruction). Multivitamin and electrolyte are very effective when you transport chick from a long distance. It reduces tiredness and lack of water, and help to make the chick normal.
Vaccination and it’s Importance
Vaccination program is a must for chicks for keeping them free from all types of diseases. The main advantage of poultry vaccination are listed below.

• Timely vaccination makes disease resistance power in the body of chick.
• Help to keep the hen free from infective poultry diseases.
• Disease prevalence will be less.
• Mortality rate will reduce.
• And low mortality rate = more production = more profit.

There are many types of poultry vaccines are available for layer hens. Marex, Ranikheth, Gamboro, Bruchaities, Bosonto, Salmonela etc. are used for layer chickens.
Before Vaccination
You have to maintain some rules before vaccination.

• Hold the chickens very carefully.
• Vaccinate the chickens without any strain.
• There is no need to vaccinate the ill hen.
• Wash the vaccination equipment with hot boiled water or germicide medicine/antiseptic.
• Do the vaccination program in cold weather condition.
• Preventive vaccine is always applicable to healthy bird. Never vaccinate an infected bird.

Keeping Growing Chicks
You have to maintain the suggestion listed below for keeping growing layer chickens.

• You have to provide the growing chicks special care until they reach 4-5 weeks of age.
• After brooding serve them good quality pellet feed. It will make good results in the future. They will produce egg highly. High quality pellet will make the chickens healthy and increase their body weight.
• So it is very important to provide them quality pellet feed during growing period.

Egg Production from Commercial Layer Farm
Egg production from a commercial layer farm depends on the care and farm management. If you take good care of your birds and manage them properly, then the production and profit will be high.

• Withing the first 20 weeks of age, about 5% of hens start laying eggs.
• About 10% birds start laying at their 21 weeks of age.
• When they reach 26 to 30 weeks of age, they produce highly. Although, it may be different depending on their strain.
• After laying a maximum number of eggs, they usually stop laying for a few days.
• And after this period, their egg production might reduces slowly.
• Egg laying rate and size of eggs increases gradually.
• The hens grow till their 40 weeks of age.
• Weight and size of eggs increases till their 50 weeks of age.

Method and Importance of Lip Cutting
Cutting the lip of laying hens is very important. The main benefits are listed below.

• Lip cutting help to reduce mutual fights.
• It help to prevent food waste.
• You have to cut your chick’s lip at their age of 8 to 10 days.
• Cut the lip of growing chicken at their 8 to 12 weeks of age.
• Cut the lip of chicks 0.2 cm from their nose.
• Cut 0.45 cm in case of growing chickens.
• Cut the both upper and lower lips.
• Don’t cut the both lip together. Cut one after another.
• Use block chick trimming machine to cut the lips.

Don’t cut their lip two days after or before vaccination, after or before using some medicines like sulfur. Don’t cut the lip if the hen in a strain, and during adverse weather conditions and if the hen start laying eggs.

Serve the chicken water mixed with vitamin “K” three days before cutting lips. Wash the lip cutting instrument with antiseptic. Test the edge and temperature of blade. You have to be careful, and don’t damage their eyes and tongue. Choose cold weather for cutting their lips. Lip cutting process should be observed by an experienced technician. After cutting lips, serve them water in a deep pot. Provide them some extra energy enriched feed.




Feeding
There are many companies available throughout the world, which are producing commercial feed for layer chickens. You can buy feed from your local market or make the feed at your own house. You have to be sure that the feed you bought are enriched with essential food value. Protein and mineral are very important for laying hens.

• Provide 2% of calcium for two weeks after their birth.
• If you notice they are not gaining expected weight, then you have to serve starter feed for eight weeks.
• Serve feed two or three times in a day till their 18 weeks of age.
• Demand of feed increase very fast when the birds start laying.
• Serve them layer poultry feed according to their age and weights.
• Don’t decrease the amount of feed while laying (even if their weight increase).

Water Management
Chickens health depend on the supply of pure, clean and fresh drinking water. You have to provide adequate water according to the demand of your laying hens. For purifying the water, mix 0.3 g bliching per litter. Determine a suitable place to keep the water pot inside the poultry house. Supply cold water during summer season and hot weather, and slightly hot water in cold weather or winter season.
In accordance with the age and species of chickens, food providing can control the weights of chicken. Use sufficient calcium, phosphorus, vitamins, amino acid and other mineral substance in their food. For purifying water use bliching powder or chlorine. If you follow the methods mentioned above, then you can make better profit from your layer poultry farming business.