How to get the BEST from your Hens

Bulletin #2

Growing Period Management

1. Health Management

1. Vaccination program essential as a number of the viruses can significantly affect future egg production.
2. Keep accurate records of disease occurrence, diagnosis and treatment
3. Test efficacy of the vaccine program with serological assessment (did the vaccines work in generating an immune response in the pullets?)
4. Implement Biosecurity procedures

2. Feeding and nutrition

1. Follow breed guidelines re the requirement for nutrients
2. These guidelines require the feeding of a Starter, Grower. Developer and a pre-lay feed.
3. Adopt a system of feed change based on pullet weight rather than age
4. Allow feed pans to be empty for 1 to 2 hours each day
5. Weigh and determine flock uniformity once weekly.

3. Aim of the Lighting program

1. Stimulate feed intake and growth
2. Influence the timing of sexual maturity
3. Maximize egg numbers
4. Optimize egg weight
5. Influence time of egg laying
6. Control undesirable behaviour

4. Cardinal rules of a light management program for pullets

1. Start pullets with a maximum of 48 Hours continuous light.
2. Never increase day length between 8 and 14 weeks.
3. Never increase day length when body weight is below the strain recommendations.
4. 1400 gm. For ISA Brown, 1500 gm for Hyline Brown.
5. Never decrease day length at start of lay.