Egg Production Flashcards
How often are follicles released from the ovaries of hens?
once a day
How many functional ovaries do hens have?
one (the left)
What is the organization of the poultry industry?
- typical pyramid organization
- genetics/selection farms (primary breeders)
- Reproduction farms (breeders)
- Egg production farms
What chickens do egg production farms use?
only hen pullets brought in from breeders/reproduction farms
How are chicks sexed on the breeding farm?
- cloaca observation (classic)
- feather differences
What are the types of egg farms?
- in line egg farms
- Off-line (nest run) egg farms
- Niche market egg farms
What are in-line farms?
characterized by an automated egg collection system that carries eggs directly from chicken houses to the egg processing plant (building) –85% of table eggs in the US
What are off-line (nest run) egg farms?
Off-Line (Nest Run) Egg Farms -typically consist of one or two chicken houses which lack processing equipment. Eggs are placed on egg flats and are then packed onto farm pallets to a processing plant
What are niche market egg farms?
small and large cage free, aviary-housed, free range, organic, etc.
At what age are pullets purchased and how are they raised?
- Egg companies purchase day-old pullets from hatcheries
- Pullets are raised in wire cages in brooder/grow-out buildings
- At 16-17 weeks of age, pullets are transferred to cages in a laying house where they will stay for the remainder of their productive life
When does egg production begin?
around 18-19 weeks of age
What is the productive life of a hen?
70-80 weeks (no moult), 102-106 weeks (1 moult), and 140-150 weeks ( 2 moults)
When should brooder houses be cleaned and disinfected?
at least 2 weeks prior to arrival of chicks
What stops the chicks from falling through the spaces between wires?
heavy, water-proof paper placed on the floor of wire cages
What temperature should the brooder house be?
92-95 F
How are the chicks fed and watered?
- Access to water from cup or nipple drinkers is facilitated
* Starter feed should be placed on cage papers in front of trough feeders
How much light do the chicks get?
•Light: week 1: 22h light; week 2: 20h; subsequent reductions till 10-12 hours by 9 to 10 weeks of age
Why are battery cages the most commonly used cage for laying hens in the US?
- They are very convenient and profitable for the farmer but raise welfare issues
- They are banned in California and Michigan and Ohio has a moratorium on new facilities
How many hens do the cages on most commercial egg laying farms hold?
5-10 laying hens in high rise belt houses
How are eggs collected?
- Sloped wire mesh floors extend outside of the cages and allow eggs to roll beneath the feed trough onto an egg conveyor belt
- Belt extends the length of the cage rows and transports eggs out of the laying house to the processing facility
Why are light programs so important for laying hens?
- Animals are programmed to lay eggs in spring (longer periods of light)
- So light time increases to 16h of light
- Light intensity also increases 30 lux at bird level
- If light intensity is too great:cannibalism, cloacal prolapse, and nervousness may increase
What is the optimum environment for laying hens?
57-79 F
How is manure handled in a laying house?
• Manure typically falls from the cages through the wire mesh directly to the ground (manure pit) and removed periodically • Alternatively, it may be transported using conveyer belts to a deposit • Manure may be/should be dried to reduce water content, weight and odours • Used as fertilizer
What are some alternative cage types?
- enriched colony cages
- cage-free
- Free range
