OPTIMIZING PRODUCTION OF CHICKEN LAYER

How do I optimize the production of laying hens? This question is often encountered in the field. Business people laying chicken farms are often faced with a situation where the chicken petelurnya unable to produce optimally. The main key to achieving optimal production layer that is good management on the starter and grower phase and supported with a good recording system at the Farm.

1. Layer phase
Of the many breeders do not know for sure if egg production is optimal or not. This happens because the business of laying hens has not been doing management practices and good management, for example, yet irregular recording system so that we can not quickly monitor the fluctuations in weekly production. Even if the recording system was performed by applying a little computer skill and knowledge it is not impossible to daily fluctuations in the production of chicken laying hens can be monitored properly. This can be done because the nursery industry players such as Isa Brown, Lohman brown and the feedmiller in Indonesia has made in the form of excel file softcopy to help businesses laying hens.
By doing a good recording, the farmer can monitor% HD,% Depletion, FCR, Egg weight, etc. which will be compared with the standard of the production of laying hens. For example, from nursery isa brown peg weight (body weight) at the age of 18 weeks of 1.54 to 1.6 kg, and the target FCR from the age of 18-76 weeks of 2:06 to 2:16, the peak production could be achieved 26 weeks of age range 94 dg - 96% of HD with the power of life (liveability) until otherwise disposed of 93.7%. By looking at these standards is not an easy to achieve. To achieve this the farmer must properly prepare a strong foundation to achieve this, as well managing the maintenance of phase starter to grower phase. Why Phase starter and grower should receive special attention? Because this phase is the period of growth and formation of chicken peterlur frames. Even some literature mentions the starter phase (0-4 weeks) as a critical period.
2. Starter phase
At the age of 0-4 weeks is the starter phase where there is division and cell growth rates. So at the beginning of this phase is the key to achieving success in achieving weight loss. In this phase of our opportunity to pursue the target body weight so that the feed must have the value of good nutrition for muscle growth. In general, success in this phase is influenced by the quality of DOC, Food and Environment, is meant here is that to achieve growth in the standard it must be supported by good quality DOC, conditions conducive environment and quality of good food.
DOC DOC is good is having weight between 34-38 g, uniforms, nimble and do not experience stress and dehydration stress. While the environmental conditions must support such a good biosecurity conditions, conditions brooder with an ideal temperature, density and adequate equipment cage. Of good food is food that meets nutritional needs at this critical phase such as a minimum protein content of 20.5% and a minimum of 2950 kcal of energy content in the form of fine crumble.
In this phase must be considered also about the management of their feed, vaccination and treatment programming of feed additives to support the immunity of chicken such as the addition of vitamin C or electrolyte solution. For conditioning the DOC to quickly adapt to the environment it can be done by directly providing food at the new DOC stocked. The advantage in this way then the DOC will be as soon as possible to optimize the functions of the digestive organs so that the content of egg yolk as food reserves would soon be absorbed out, because if not immediately absorbed the yolk runs out it will interfere with the growth of DOC itself. It also must be cut into half by the age of 80-10 days, this is for ease of DOC consumed their feed.
At the starter phase of 0-4 weeks in cages postal then feeding can be given adlibitum (discharged directly filled) can be more than 8 times per day. The food in this way other than to pursue the target body weight will also make the cache size will be larger so that it will encourage the achievement of feed intake at the time of entering the production phase. In this phase must be considered the number of feeder and place water in the brooder cage.
Entering week 4 it can be done by random weighing approximately 20% to determine the uniformity of chicken. And soon separated for the chicken below 300 g to be an extension treatment using the starter feed. In practice, breeders often use a starter diet until the age of 7-8 weeks. After it was replaced with grower feed.
3. Grower phase
The struggle to achieve the production performance of layers is still long. After the DOC began to grow large reaching 500 grams of weight at the age of 6 weeks, the chickens have been grouped in the grower phase where this phase began in the muscles of the dominant formation of bone that will form a "frame" of chicken layer. So even this phase should be adjusted feed to be given. Grower feed containing protein 16-18% with energy levels of 2750 to 2800 kcal. And in this phase are given some form of calcium granular approximately 3 mm. Providing a source of calcium to the size of the benefit to the development of a better gizzard.
In this phase also must be cut half a second. Can be done between the ages of 80-10 weeks. The sooner it is done cutting part will make it easier for the achievement of feed intake and body weight of the target of course is also easy to obtain. Entering the age of 12-13 weeks, the pullet is ready to be transferred to battery cages. At this age bias is said to preparation for laying eggs earlier. And this condition requires that a minimum of feed intake to 80 grams / head / day. With the achievement of daily feed intake it will encourage reproductive maturity when starters were 16 weeks old. Reproductive maturity can be seen with the comb and wattle are red with blood. The red color resulting from the activity of reproductive hormones. And vice versa if the color is pale it is recommended for treatment of mineral additions Se and Vit E to promote better reproductive maturity. In addition, to boost the performance of reproductive hormones, it can be done with a good treatment of radiation intensity. Excellent light intensity to accelerate reproductive maturity which is 10 -20 lux, with radiation are 12-15 hours.
Entering the phase of pre-lay the feed given must also be appropriate that the protein must be at least 17% with a minimum of 2700 kcal of energy. The energy here is lower due to not happen over in abdominal fat deposition and in the reproductive tract, other than that calcium provided a minimum of 2% with the proportion of the measuring 3 mm more than 60%. At this phase is expected an increase in amino acid density. With inadequate amino acid requirement then the chicken will lay eggs on time and to reach peak production in accordance with standards issued by the company's breeding farm.
4. Conclusion
Basically, to achieve optimal production performance of laying hens in the business then that should be taken:
a. A good maintenance management since the starter, grower until laying. Biosecurity covers a good environment, managing feeding, lighting program and the implementation of vaccination programs. And keep in mind that each phase of maintenance are interconnected so that it would be wise for each phase of maintenance done well.
b. Doing a good standard recording system. If possible to do computer-based recording so that the accuracy of reading the data will be better. And with a touch of computer technology is the farmer to respond immediately whenever there is turbulence production. Computer-based recording programs can be requested via TS or TS breeder feeds available.
c. Trying to start to be more open "open mind" so that the process of knowledge transfer (knowledge) from the feed manufacturer to the farmer will run smoothly. It also must begin to prepare the stable, well-educated human resources.
d. Trying to make the chicken more comfortable in production by way of increasing animal welfare program. Hopefully with a cock happy so happy peternakpun participate.