The low temperature in winter will have a greater impact on the survival and production of laying hens. In order to maintain the performance and health of laying hens, some special feeding management measures need to be taken. Here are some tips to help you get better at raising your layers during the winter months.
1. Maintain a suitable temperature.
In winter, when temperatures are low, the first thing to do is to make sure that the temperature in the house is right. Chicks need to grow at higher temperatures, while adult layers can live at lower temperatures. Therefore, according to the age and breed characteristics of the laying hens, the temperature in the chicken house should be reasonably adjusted. At the same time, it is necessary to keep the chicken house airtight and reduce the invasion of cold air to reduce the stress and disease occurrence of laying hens.
2. Adjust the feed formula.
Winter temperatures are low, and laying hens need more energy to maintain body temperature and performance. Therefore, it is necessary to appropriately increase the energy content in the feed, such as increasing the amount of corn, soybean meal and other raw materials. At the same time, it is necessary to pay attention to the freshness and hygiene of the feed to avoid the impact of feed deterioration or contamination on the health of laying hens.
3. Increase the light time.
Light has a great impact on the production and shell quality of laying hens. In winter, due to the short daylight hours, the hens need more light to maintain normal performance. Therefore, according to the breed of laying hens and the stage of egg production, the light time should be reasonably adjusted. Generally speaking, laying hens need about 16-18 hours of light per day during the laying period.
4. Maintain proper humidity.
In winter, the temperature is low and the air is dry, which can easily cause the humidity in the chicken house to be too low. Too low humidity will irritate the respiratory mucosa of laying hens and increase the incidence of respiratory diseases. Therefore, to maintain proper humidity, it can be increased by placing a humidifier inside the house or spraying water mist regularly.
5. Strengthen epidemic prevention and control.
Winter is the high incidence period of laying hen disease, and it is necessary to strengthen the prevention and control of epidemic diseases. The house should be disinfected regularly to keep it clean and hygienic. At the same time, it is necessary to vaccinate laying hens regularly to enhance the immunity of laying hens. Once it is found that the laying hens have abnormal conditions, measures should be taken in time to isolate and prevent the spread and spread of the disease.
6. Strengthen feeding management.
Raising laying hens in winter requires more care and patience. It is necessary to regularly observe the feeding, drinking water, egg production and other conditions of laying hens, and adjust the feeding management measures in a timely manner. At the same time, it is necessary to keep the house quiet and stable to avoid the impact of fright and disturbance on the laying hens. In addition, some vitamins, minerals and other additives can also be added to enhance the cold resistance and production performance of laying hens.
In conclusion, raising laying hens in winter requires more refined and comprehensive management measures. As long as we take every detail seriously and do every job well, we can ensure that the laying hens can also be produced healthily and efficiently in winter.