Basic Husbandry for Commercial Layers
|
|
| Agdex#: | 451 |
|---|---|
| Publication Date: | October 2013 |
| Order#: | 13-067 |
| Last Reviewed: | October 2013 |
| History: | (replaces OMAF Factsheet Basic Husbandry for Layers, Order No. 93-031) |
| Written by: |
Al Dam - Poultry Specialist/OMAF and MRA; Kathleen Taylor - Poultry Research Technician/OMAF and MRA |
The tables and figure in this Factsheet provide basic husbandry information for commercial layers. Proper care and management of birds and their environment result in fewer mortalities and improved egg production. Additional information on poultry production can be found at ontario.ca/livestock
| Incandescent Bulbs |
Compact Fluorescent Bulbs |
||
|---|---|---|---|
| Watts | Lumens | Watts | Lumens |
|
25
|
270
|
5
|
250
|
|
40
|
510
|
7
|
400
|
|
52
|
780
|
9
|
600
|
|
60
|
860
|
15
|
900
|
|
90
|
1,540
|
18
|
1,250
|
|
100
|
1,680
|
26
|
1,800
|
| Fan Diameter (in.) |
Range of Airflow (CFM) all airflows measured at 0.10 in. static pressure |
Average Airflow (CFM) all airflows measured at 0.10 in. static pressure |
|---|---|---|
|
12
|
1,400-1,800
|
1,600
|
|
14
|
1,900-2,200
|
2,050
|
|
16
|
2,500-3,000
|
2,750
|
|
18
|
3,000-4,000
|
3,500
|
|
20-22
|
3,000-5,000
|
4,000
|
|
24-26
|
5,000-7,000
|
6,000
|
|
36
|
8,000-12,000
|
10,000
|
|
48
|
18,000-22,000
|
20,000
|
|
50
|
19,000-27,000
|
23,500
|
CFM=cubic feet per minute
Source: Agricultural fan performance test results from Bio-Environment Structural Systems (BESS)labs at the University of Illinois.
Figure 1. Lumens/watt of typical light sources on farms
| Criteria | Brooding (0-6 weeks) | Pulling Rearing (6-18 weeks) | Laying (18+weeks) |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Air Temperature (at bird height |
Day-old: 30-32°C Two days old to 3 weeks: lowered 3°C per week to 22°C |
22°C
|
22°C
|
| Relative Humidity |
Above 50%
|
||
| Ventilation |
0.3-2.1 CFM/bird
|
0.6-7.7 CFM/bird
|
0.6-11 CFM/bird
|
| Ammonia |
Maximum of 25 ppm (parts per million) >10 ppm: damage to lung surface >20 ppm: increased respiratory issues, human eyes affected >50 ppm: reduced growth rate |
||
|
Lighting Guidelines may vary with the strain of layer selected. |
Intensity 0-6 weeks old: 10-30 lux Duration of photoperiod 0-2 weeks old: 16-22 hours 2-6 weeks old: 16-18 hours |
Intensity 6-18 weeks old: 5-10 lux Duration of photoperiod 6-18 weeks old: 8-10 hours |
Intensity 18-80 weeks old: 5-10 lux Duration of photoperiod 18-80 weeks old: 15 hours |
| Water |
Cage 10 birds/nipple or cup (minimum 2 nipples or cups/cage) or 2.5 cm of trough/bird Floor 10 birds/nipple of cup or 2.5 cm of trough/bird or 90 birds/bell drinker |
Cage 10 birds/nipple or cup (minimum 2 nipples or cups/cage) or 5 cm of trough/bird Floor 10 birds/nipple or cup or 5 cm of trough/bird or 90 birds/bell drinker |
Cage 10 birds/nipple or cup (minimum 2 nipples or cups/cage) or 10 cm of trough/bird Floor 10 birds/nipple or cup or 10 cm of trough/bird or 90 birds/bell drinker |
| Feeders |
Cage 5 cm of trough/bird Floor 5 cm of trough/bird or 4 pans/100 birds |
Cage 7.5 cm of trough/bird Floor 7.5 cm of trough/bird or 4 pans/100 birds |
Cage 10 cm of trough/bird Floor 7.5 cm of trough/bird or 4 pans/100 birds |
| Density* |
Cage 160 cm2/bird (white) or 200 cm2/bird (brown) Floor 18 birds/m2 (white) or 14 birds/m2 (brown) |
Cage 350 cm2/bird (white) or 361 cm2/bird (brown) Floor 10 birds/m2 |
Cage 450 cm2/bird Floor 6 birds/m2 (litter) or 9 birds/m2 (slats) |
CFM = cubic feet per minute
ppm = parts per million
*Adapted from ISA Poultry Products (Shaver, ISA, Bovans).
Values in this Factsheet are in imperial measurements, reflecting common usage in the ventilation industry.
This Factsheet was written by Al Dam, Poultry Specialist, OMAF, Guelph, and Kathleen Taylor, Poultry Research Technician, OMAF, Guelph.
For more information:
Toll Free: 1-877-424-1300
E-mail: ag.info.omafra@ontario.ca