Alternative / Laying Period Feeding
Recommendations
As a critical input, birds should have
access to an appropriate diet at all times to maximize performance. It is
also important that routine monitoring of body weights (particularly in
the early stages), feed intake and water consumption be carried out and
recorded. This information will assist in deciding the optimum time to
increase day length and ensure the flocks come into lay
correctly.
Subsequent monitoring will be necessary to
determine when a diet change is appropriate in order to achieve
persistence of lay, control egg size and help with shell
quality.
During the laying period the choice of
dietary specification is dependent on many factors such as stocking
density, age, temperature and feed intake and level of egg production and
egg weight.
It is recommended that the above aspects
are discussed with your feed supplier in conjunction with your Hy-Line
representative, but not forgetting the requirements of your egg
packer.
Laying Period Feeding
Recommendations
A Phase feeding programme should
be practised to ensure correct nutrient intake throughout lay in order to
match performance demands and manipulate egg size as required. The number
of feeds per day will be important as a feed management tool but careful
depth control is essential in avoiding wastage.