Feed management during growing period.

1. PS-503
BS-Poultry Science
Dr. Muhammad Arslan

2.  Period after brooding till sexual maturity is referred
as growing period (9-18 weeks) and from onset of
sexual maturity (when hen housed production is 5%)
till the end of laying cycle is referred as Laying
period (18-72 weeks).

3.  Commercially 9-18/20 weeks are called growers.
 This period is more critical.
 Obtaining desired body weight ensures maximum
production during subsequent laying period.
 Faulty management may lead to under or over
weights, lack of uniform growth, delayed maturity,
prolapse, cannibalism and high grower house
mortality.

4.  Proper cleaning and disinfection of grower house is
needed before introduction of grower birds.
 Growers may be reared in separate grower houses or
continue to be reared in brooder cum grower house
 Spread litter material to a height of 4” in case of deep-
litter system.
 Arrange feeder and waterers in the grower house.
 Change the feeder and waterer according to the need.
 Provide sufficient floor space, feeding space and water
space.

5.  Floor Space: 1260 cm2 (1.4ft2), In case of cages 54
sq. inches.
 Feeder space: 6-8 cm/bird.
 One linear feeder of 120 cm Length & 8cm depth-
40 grower birds.
 Water space : 2cm/bird.
 Circular waterer 36 cm H and 8cm D of 6ltr
capacity- 50 growers.
 100 birds-15-20 liters water/day.

6.  CP-16%
 ME-2500Kcals/Kg
 Ca-1%
 Approximately 60-80 g of feed/bird/day
 Adopt restricted feeding programmed during growing
period to prevent fattening of pullets and early sexual
maturity and thus to improve egg production.

7.  Aim for the uniformity of the flock.
 Sample weights are taken once in a week to find out
the average body weight as per the breeder
suggestions.
 At a given age, growing pullets should have average
body weight very close to breeder recommendations
and at least 70% of the birds’ weight within 10% of
flock average.

8.  It is adopted during growing period of layers or
breeders.
 There are two types of restricted feeding
 Quantitative feed restriction
 Qualitative feed restriction

9.  In which the amount of feed is reduced below the
normal requirement of birds.
 This can be done on day-to-day basis or skip-a- day
program or skip-two days in a week program.

10.  But this restriction depends on the matching of the
flock average body weight with standard body weight
provided by the breeder.
 Quantitative feed restriction is usually followed in
commercial breeders.

11.  In which the quality of the feed is reduced below the
standard requirement of the bird.
 This can be done by including unconventional feeds
or lesser nutrient feed ingredients in place of high
protein or high energy diet.
 In this quantity of allotment to the bird is not
restricted.

12.  During restricted feeding programmed, provide
more number of feeders and see that all the birds
are taking feed simultaneously or otherwise
dominant birds will take more amount of feed and
the weaker will be subjected to feed deprivation
and hence the uniformity will be affected.

13.  Culling of such birds helps not only saving feed but
also promoting layer house survivability because,
healthier birds will be moving to laying house.
 Layers feed-restricted during growing period have
been found to produce eggs in longer clutches than
those fed ad libitum.

15. Introduction
 Birds are extremely sensitive to photoperiod.
 The egg production, growth, normal physiology is
associated with the length and intensity of the light
received by the bird daily.
 Wavelength and intensity is important in lighting.

16.  Artificial lighting
 Natural lighting

17.  Incandescent Cheapest, short bulb life (750-1000
hrs).
 Fluorescent: 3 to 4 times more efficient than
incandescent bulbs.
 Mercury vapour: Long life (24,000 hrs), requires
several minutes to warm up, cannot be used in
houses with low ceilings.
 Compact Fluorescent (CF) Lighting: o More energy
efficient. One-fifth energy of fluorescent light is
needed to provide same light intensity (lumen).

18.  It will influence the age of sexual maturity.
 It will influence feed consumption.
 In addition to the influence of growth, light will
effect:- Progressive growth of the digestive system.
 Gradual adaption to a body clock (e.g. anticipation of
a dark period).
 Lack of night time energy supply when dark periods
are too long.

19.  Length and intensity of the light is connected, received
by the bird daily.
 Light stimulates the anterior lobe of the pituitary gland
through optic nerve for the release of FSH and LH.
 FSH increases the growth of the ovarian follicles. Upon
reaching maturity, the ovum is released by the action
of LH.

20.  Light energy also penetrates through the skull, skin and
feathers.
 Growing pullets when they reach a certain stage of sexual
maturity, are stimulated by increasing day length.
 Longer days cause release of LH and FSH from the anterior
pituitary. These set of hormones stimulate the process
leading to sexual maturity and egg laying.
 Artificial lighting for chicken was first carried out to prevent
the drop of egg production when the days became shorter

21.  An intermittent lighting program is preferred.
 If not, then use 22 hours of light from 0–3 days and 21
hours of light from 4–7 days.
 Do not use 24 hours of light.
 Brightness (30–50 lux) during 0–7 days helps chicks quickly
find feed and water and adapt to the new environment.
 After the first week, reduce light intensity and begin slow
step-down lighting program.

22.  When pullets are transferred to layer house at 15 to
16 weeks, add 1 hour to the day-length for proper
growth.
 Increasing day-length 15 min every other week until
16 hrs are reached.
 Maintain 16 hrs thereafter.
 Intensity 40 to 50 lux is sufficient at feeder and water
level.

23.  Never decrease light on pullets in the on-set of egg
production.
 Vices (picking) can often be controlled by using red
bulbs or the same by higher wattage.
 Keep light bulbs clean to prevent loss of intensity.
 Position lights to minimize bright and dark areas in
the house.
 Alternating the height of lights improves light
distribution to all cage levels.

24.  The objectives of the lighting programs during
production period is:
 To encourage growth at start of lay.
 To counteract the harmful effects of decreases in
natural day length.
 To control the livability through the light intensity
management.
 To improve egg shell quality.

25. THANK
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