Gives a snapshot on Layer Breeds, Management and other basics. Very good for general public as well as non technical persons involved directly or indirectly into the poultry veterinary profession or sales of veterinary pharmaceutical products.

1. Commercial Layer Basics
By
Dr. Uttam Pal
Technical Head

2. Commercial Layer Birds
 The commercial layer birds are genetically developed to produce more eggs.
 A layer bird produce about 330 eggs (company standard HHP) in their life time of
72 weeks.
 The white eggs we get from markets are laid by these developed breeds.
 There are commercial breeds – BV300, Hyline, Lohmann and ISA etc..
 We have some Deshi breeds also which produces less eggs.

3. Economic Parameter
 Livability – 96 – 97% ( 0 – 18 weeks)
 Livability – 94 – 96% (19 – 72 weeks)
 Feed Consumption – 5.6Kg ( 0 – 18 weeks)
 Feed Consumption – 41 Kg ( 19 – 72 weeks)
 Body Weight – 1.2 Kg (18 weeks)/1.5 Kg ( 31 weeks)/1.6Kg (72 weeks)
 Age at Sexual Maturity –
50% production ( 21 – 22 weeks)
90% production (23 – 24 weeks)

4. Other Important Economic Parameters
 Peak Production – 96 – 97%
 Above 90% production – 40 plus weeks
 Egg weight – at 32 weeks – 56g; 52 weeks – 58g and 72 weeks – 60g
 FCR – (Feed Consumption during Lay) – 124g per egg.

5. Management Basics
 Debeaking – 1st time 7th – 10th day of age
- 2nd time 9th – 10th week of age
 Grading for Flock Uniformity – Target is minimum 80% uniformity.

6. Brooding Basics
 Brooding Period – 0day to 7th week
 Target Body weight – 490g.
 Expected feed consumption – 1.300Kg
 Only after achieving the target body weight next stage feeding should be started.
 Flock Uniformity must be checked and minimum body weight should be achieved.
 Development of Immune System and Digestive System.

7. Grower & Developer Basics
 Grower feeding between 8th – 11th week.
 Target body weight – 830g.
 Expected Feed consumption – 1.4Kg.
 Development of Skeletal system and Muscular System.
 Developer is given between 12th – 14th week.
 Expected Consumption – 1.2 Kg.

8. Pre – Lay Feeding
 From 15th week to 1st egg laid (point of Lay).
 Helps in developing medullary bones.
 Calcium level increased a lot in the feed.

9. Layer Feeds
 Phase – ONE feed is given upto 25th week or when the consumption goes higher
than 100g.
 Phase – TWO feeding between 26th to 50th week.
 Phase – THREE feeding between 51st to 72nd week. Or switched when egg wt
crossed 58g.
 Feed changes should be gradual and over a period of 7 to 10days with
25:75;50:50;75:25 and 100:00.

10. Egg Weight Increment
 Rate of Egg Weight Increment –
1st month – 2.5 g per week
2nd month – 1.0 g per week
3rd month – 0.5 g per week

11. Lighting Program
 Golden Rules –
 Never increase the light during growing period.
 Never decrease the light during laying period.
 Stimulate light after 1150g body weight only.

12. Standard LP - 1
 0 – 4 weeks lighting for 24hr.
 5th week 16hr.
 6th – 15:45hr
 7th – 15:30hr
 …..and so on to reach
 17th – 13:00hr
 18th week stimulate light 1hr
 Increase 15min/week to reach max 15hr.

13. Standard LP - 2
 0 – 4 weeks lighting for 24hr.
 5th week 17:30hr.
 6th – 17:15hr
 7th – 17:00hr
 …..and so on to reach
 17th – 14:30hr
 18th week stimulate light 1hr
 Increase 15min/week to reach max 16hr.

14. Standard LP - 3
 0 – 4 weeks lighting for 24hr.
 5th week to 17th week continuous 17:30hr.
 Power ON – 5:00 AM
 Power OFF – 7:30 PM
 18th week stimulate light 1hr
 Increase 15min/week to reach max 16hr.

15. Midnight Lighting
 Given between 11pm to 1am
 For 2hrs only.
 This is additional.
 Reduction should be made 15min/week basis.
 This is to encourage feeding.