2. Facts A chicken is needed to lay eggs Eggs are a source of protein Eggs are economical and keep you full for long In our topic today we are going to learn a few more facts about chicken and eggs
3. Before we begin... Make a poster Information on Housing, equipment, nesting, conditions for growing poultry, Picture on various headings, argument about battery versus free range, digestive organs and functions, process of weighing the observing poultry, nutrients for good quality eggs and health of the chicken.
4. Clutching What is clutching? Clutching is the process when eggs are laid on successive days. This is followed by a rest period of 2-3 days. Commercial hens lay around 3-8 eggs.
6. Water needs Since an egg is made up of 70 to 75% water, laying hens need a constant supply of fresh, clean water. Ten layers need a supply of approximately 3 litres of water per day. Water troughs must be kept clean and shaded from the sun.
7. Shell The shell has pores to allow exchange of gasses The shell protects the contents of the egg It is a calcium source for the developing chick
8. Management Floor eggs are the eggs that are laid on the floor They can break or get contaminated on the floor Floor eggs can also contaminate the other eggs in the hatchery
9. Management To avoid floor eggs: Encourage the hen to go into the nest Provide with clean litter Keep hen there until her egg is laid Keep the nesting box in the cooler area Avoid attractive, alternative nesting sites Promptly remove floor eggs
10. Management Commercially prepared feeds should be used as it supplies the correct balance of protein, vitamins and minerals necessary for the bird’s health and maximum production.
11. Handling Eggs The ideal temperature to store eggs is 5 degrees. If this is not possible, keep your eggs at no more than 15 degrees and out of direct sunlight. Diets are formulated to provide the nutrients that the birds need. Avoid washing the eggs instead just clean them or brush them before storing
12. Feed and Nutrients Feed should be available to the birds at all times. Self feeders are recommended. It must be kept dry and its freshness ensured by not buying more than 40 kg at one time. This should last 12 layers for about one month.
13. Health To keep your fowls healthy: Provide a shed that is comfortable, well-ventilated, well-lit and free from drafts and dampness; keep the shed clean; frequently renew the litter, wash or spray the shed with a disinfectant and insecticide
14. Quick Quiz What is a clutch? How many eggs in one clutch (average)? What is the function of the shell? What does the texture of the egg tell you? What are floor eggs? Name the 2 things you can do to avoid floor eggs? Why are eggs to be collected promptly? What is the correct way to store the eggs? What is the shell made up of? Unjumble the words roenenmvint, hltcuc, selhland ulcmaci
Notas do Editor
Heres a million dollar question... No one has an answer to this yet..... And we are not trying to solve this question ....
Lets concentrate on the facts instead....
To avoid feed wastage, adjust the height of the feeder trough level with the hens back and do not fill troughs more than half-full. Clean the feeders regularly and remove stale, wet or mouldy feed.Layer feed should not be given to chicks or growing stock because the high calcium level may cause kidney damage. Make sure the feed is approved for the type of poultry to which it is fed. Feed manufacturers label their product accordingly - that is, suitable for chickens, growers, or layers.
remove sick birds from the flock and keep them away from the other hens while treatment is given. It is often more humane to destroy sick birds;treat young birds for worm parasites every 2 to 3 months (healthy adult poultry usually acquire a resistance to internal parasites);treat the birds when necessary for pests such as lice, mites and stickfast fleas; and
