How to increase the egg production of chickens at home in winter: ways and what it depends on

What measures should be taken to increase the egg production of chickens at home in winter? Many factors influence the number of eggs laid. The winter period is not the best time to increase this indicator, but you can fool the bird by creating a microclimate for it that resembles summer. Do not forget about good nutrition, vitamins and trace elements. The choice of breed of laying hens is also important.

What determines the egg production of chickens

Egg production is called laying productivity, it is determined by the number of eggs laid per year. The productive period in chickens lasts from 2 to 5 years. Depends on the breed and weight of the bird, which should be at least 75% of the optimal for this species.

Important. In order for a chicken to lay eggs regularly, it must be properly and satisfyingly fed, kept clean, and allowed to walk .

Breeds whose primary purpose is to lay eggs start laying at 4-5 months of age, mixed species and broilers later at 6-8 months. It is possible to determine a chicken of good egg production by appearance. She has a strong body, a small head, arched chest, dense plumage, bright earrings, a powerful curved beak and clear eyes.

How to increase the egg production of chickens in the winter at home

Providing favorable living conditions for laying hens, careful care and proper diet, you can significantly increase egg laying, improve their quality and taste. Consider the factors affecting the egg production of a chicken.

Suitable breed

The following species are classified as productive egg-laying breeds:

1. Leghorn. This shy breed produces up to 300 eggs per year. The absolute record is 371 eggs. Laying begins at 5 months.
2. Hysec. This is a Leghorn hybrid, productivity - 300 eggs per year. The breed is disease resistant and not afraid of the cold.
3. The breed Loman Brown has a calm character and high egg production: annual laying - 320 pieces. The bird quickly adapts to changing living conditions. The disadvantage of the breed is a short productive period - after a year and a half, the number of eggs laid decreases sharply, and layers need to be changed.

Note. Choosing the right chicken breed that is low maintenance and high egg production will help you get the most out of your small chicken farm.

Forced molting

Usually this procedure is used in poultry farms in order not to change the age hen to a young laying hen and prolong the laying period.Using certain zootechnical techniques, molting is caused in chickens. Its duration is shorter than natural, it occurs simultaneously in the whole flock. The process promotes rejuvenation, the emergence of a new egg-laying cycle.

Lighting

For regular laying, a chicken needs daylight hours of 12-14 hours. Under natural conditions, this is possible only in the summer. In winter, you need to create the illusion of summer in the bird. For this, artificial lighting is used. In the poultry house, for every 10 square meters, lighting lamps with a power of 100 watts are installed.

If possible, equip automatic lighting, which is adjusted to the required mode in terms of time and illumination.

It is important that there is an alternation of light and dark time of the day.

Microclimate

In winter, it is cold and humid outside, so that the layers feel comfortable, you need to heat and ventilate the room.Humidity is maintained within the limits of not more than 60%, temperature - 10-12 degrees. It is best to install a forced air exchange system. The usual opening of the vents reduces the temperature and provokes drafts, which is not safe for the bird.

Walks

Poultry needs movement or it will get fat and stop laying. Walks are also organized in winter, and the following conditions must be observed:

1. The air temperature outside is at least 10 degrees below zero.
2. There should be no rain, snow or strong winds.
3. The walking area is covered with hay, sand or sawdust.
4. To prevent frostbite on the delicate skin of combs and earrings, they are smeared with Vaseline.
5. To combat parasitic insects, containers with a mixture of sand and ash are installed, the ratio of components is 1:1.

Compliance with these conditions will make walking safe and rewarding.

Food

You can increase the egg production of chickens in winter at home with the help of a balanced diet of high calorie content, because additional calories are needed to maintain optimal body temperature in cold weather.

The following products are used for feeding:

• cereal mixes;
• vegetables:
• mixture of compound feed;
• useful trace elements;
• vitamins;
• water.

What should these foods be made of?

Grain

For feeding use various cereals that are available in the house. They can be mixed or given separately. Sprouted grain is useful - it contains a large amount of vitamins.Grain is given in the evening, due to its calorie content, it is necessary to warm the chickens in their sleep. It is useful to sprinkle it on the litter, which will entertain the bird, forcing it to look for food.

Vegetables

Vegetables are given fresh, chopping them first. It can be: any beet, carrot, potato, pumpkin.

Vegetables are a source of carbohydrates and fiber, vitamins, amino acids.

Meshanka

The mixer is made from animal feed, stirring them in water. For enrichment with animal protein, milk or whey is used as a solvent. Canola or sunflower cake, bone or fish meal are added to the mixture.

He althy Supplements

In the winter diet of laying hens, it is recommended to include supplements of minerals and vitamins. It is better to purchase special complex preparations, which contain everything you need for good nutrition.Dried herbs are a good addition. These can be nettle or burdock brooms harvested and dried in the summer. Chickens love to indulge in this treat.

We should not forget about minerals in the form of ordinary pebbles, pieces of shell rock or gravel.

Water

Without water, a bird simply cannot exist. Be sure to have a sufficient number of drinking bowls with clean water. It is necessary to add liquid there in a timely manner and monitor its quality.

In winter, the chicken should have three meals a day. Decent care and compliance with all of the above recommendations will help maintain high egg production in winter.

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