Starting around 110 days of age, RTL caged hens enter their laying phase. At this time, more nutrients and energy is required for egg production.
Supplementary feed should be given in the form of cafeteria free-choice feeding with protein concentrate, energy concentrate and calcium mineral. Whenever possible, split feeding may produce greater results.
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Feeding
At 110 days old, RTL chickens will enter their egg-laying phase. To help ensure a successful transition into their new environment quickly and comfortably. Also important is ensuring their environment is calm, quiet and temperature suitable – this will reduce fearful reactions by the hens which could otherwise result in fractured feet or prolapsed eggs.
During the laying cycle, energy and nutrients are at a premium, so it’s crucial that all requirements for their supply are met by feeding a split diet (40% of daily intake in the morning meal and 60% in the evening). This approach ensures complete nutritional coverage at each stage.
Additionally to complete layer feed, additional nutrients must also be included in their diets, including essential ones like Choline. While found naturally in raw materials like wheat and corn, birds cannot produce sufficient choline quickly enough on their own and therefore require supplementation to stay healthy.
Water
When raising RTL chickens during their peak egg-laying period, they should be kept in an environment which is both quiet and comfortable. Plenty of water should be provided along with keeping a lower temperature within their poultry house during this timeframe. By giving enough food and water for recovery and prevention of disease, enough support will be given to their wellbeing and recovery from stressors.
Protein represents the majority of a laying hen’s daily caloric needs. Composed largely of amino acids, these requirements vary based on breed, age and production status; specifically in regards to laying rations where amino acid needs are especially high due to some being non-synthesized by poultry thus necessitating regular supply in diet.
Chicks at 110 days of age usually enter their laying period and are placed into special cages designed for them. Large chicken houses generally initiate this transition around 120 days of age.
Health
Raising chickens for egg production requires maintaining a healthy flock, including protecting them from disease and parasites like Salmonella Enteritidis (SE). SE is known to cause foodborne illness; therefore commercial poultry farms with over 3,000 laying hens must test their environment for SE regularly.
Chickens must be fed a premium-quality feed that contains all of the necessary nutrients for optimal health and egg production. Supplementing pasture or lawn clippings with commercial feed from a trusted feed store is advised, with fresh feed stored in a dry and cool location to prevent spoilage. Furthermore, feeder troughs must be adjusted so chickens do not have to reach down as far to access their food, thereby cutting feeding time down drastically while increasing efficiency.
Training
As soon as rtl chickens enter egg-laying season, they must be transferred to a cage designed specifically for eggs. To prevent their stress levels and energy losses from hindering egg production, quiet environments and temperature controlled temperatures must also be ensured for them. It is particularly important that only healthy, strong, sexually mature female hens be used to lay eggs; any vicious, prolapsed or broken feet rtl chickens must also be eliminated to guarantee quality eggs are laid.
