04 Mar Ignore Record-Keeping In Commercial Egg Production To Your Peril
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Poultry farming is a lucrative business, but it requires a lot of hard work, dedication, and accurate record-keeping. As a poultry farmer, it is essential to maintain accurate records of all the activities involved in egg production. Record-keeping plays a crucial role in the efficient and profitable management of a poultry farm. In this blog, we will discuss the importance of record-keeping in commercial egg production and the key information that should be included in the records.
1. Source of Birds:
The source of the Point of Layers / Pullets or Point of Cages is one of the most critical pieces of information that must be recorded. It is essential to keep track of the origin of your chickens to monitor their health and avoid any potential diseases. This information is also useful for tracking the genetic characteristics of the hens and for future breeding programs. In addition, it allows you to decide if you will continue to patronize that supplier or switch to a different supplier.
2. Age of the Hens:
The age of your poultry flock is another important aspect that must be recorded. The egg production rate of the breed is directly related to their age. Keeping track of the age of the hens helps in estimating the potential egg production rate and planning for replacements when necessary.
3. Egg Production Rate:
Egg production is the primary goal of a commercial egg production farm. It is crucial to keep track of the egg production rate to monitor the performance of the chickens and make necessary changes in the management practices. This information helps in identifying the most productive hens. At Petros Farms, we use ISA Brown Hens.
The ISA Brown Hen is renowned for its outstanding performance as the best brown laying hen in the world, with the ability to lay up to 500 eggs from 18 weeks to 100 weeks. Without keeping records of your production, it is difficult to compare the performance in your farm to the standard.
4. Total Feed Intake:
The total feed intake of the chickens must be recorded to monitor the flocks’ overall health, growth, and egg production, as well as to assess the efficiency and cost-effectiveness of the feed program. This information helps in determining the feed requirements of the birds; total feed conversion ratios and avoiding any potential nutritional deficiencies. Poultry feed conversion ratio is a crucial aspect of poultry farming, as it directly impacts the profitability of the farm. Keeping track of the feed conversion ratio helps in monitoring the efficiency of feed utilization and identifying areas for improvement.
5. Total Water Intake:
Water is essential for the health and growth of the hens. Keeping track of the total water consumption helps in monitoring the water needs of your flock. Monitor and record water consumption daily with a reliable water meter. A variation in water intake can indicate problems with the flock. The water: feed ratio normally ranges from 1.5:1 to 2:1; however, hot weather, especially in tropical regions, can increase that ratio to as high as 5:1. For example, a hen consuming 100 grams of feed per day will drink 150 to 200 mL of water per day. This is 150 – 200 L/1000 hens/day.
6. Poultry Shed Temperature and Humidity:
The poultry shed temperature and humidity play a crucial role in the health and comfort of the birds. Keeping track of the temperature and humidity helps in maintaining optimal conditions for the birds and avoiding any potential health issues. This is particularly important in poultry houses that rely on natural ventilation such as open-sided poultry sheds. This data is also extremely important in battery cages because of the higher density in stocking. Petros Farms is a High-rise, Caged Layer Facility/Production building. We placed temperature sensors to measure temperatures inside the battery cages. Heat stress begins when the ambient temperature climbs above 26°C and becomes readily apparent above 29°C.
7. Mortality Rate/ Vaccination and Medication Records:
Monitoring vaccination schedules and ensuring timely treatment of the birds is crucial information that helps maintain their health. Recording the mortality rate is also important to identify the causes of death and implement corrective measures such as biosecurity measures, feeding regimes, and disease control. Regular monitoring of mortality rates helps make informed decisions about management practices.
Conclusion
In conclusion, record-keeping is an essential aspect of commercial egg production. Accurate and timely record-keeping helps monitor bird performance, identify areas for improvement, and ensure the profitability of the poultry farm. By tracking the key information discussed in this blog, poultry farmers can make informed decisions and take corrective measures to improve egg production rates and overall farm efficiency.
Top 5 Key Takeaways
- Poultry farming requires record keeping
- Invest in a record keeping system
- Develop a habit of daily record keeping
- You cannot change what you have not measured
- Utilize your records for decision making.
Start maximizing your profits from egg production in Nigeria today. Petros Farms offers 20 minutes free consultation services. With the right strategy, you can make sure that your egg farming business is as profitable as possible.
Cheers.
Petros Farms