Egg Production Basics PDF

Production Basics
How Do I Raise Poultry for Eggs?
CHUCK SCHUSTER
UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND EXTENSION
CENTRAL MARYLAND
CFS@UMD.EDU
JESSIE FLORES
UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND EXTENSION
LOWER EASTERN SHORE MARYLAND
JFLORES@UMD.EDU
Getting Started
 Check the laws and zoning regulations where

you live.
 Not all incorporated towns will allow poultry
production.
 Make friends with your neighbors, let them
know your plans before you start.
Why Raise Chickens for Eggs?
 Affordable food
 Producing fresh, home grown eggs is one of
the top reasons for having a small flock.
 Family involvement
 4-H project
 Hatching and raising chicks
 To have some chickens …lifestyle.
Selecting the Right Variety
 A hen will produce eggs, the eggs can

either be eaten or incubated to produce a
bird to be raised.
 Not all breeds are the same.
 Other speakers today will discuss the
breed characteristics.
Egg Production Breeds
 These are generally lighter breeds selectively

bred for their ability to produce a high
numbers of eggs over their lifetime.
 Remember that laying hens rarely start
laying until they are around 6 months old.
 Plan your production cycle around this
point.
Egg Layer vs. Dual Purpose?
 Are you looking to have a flock that

produces only egg or also serves the
purpose of a meat bird?
 There are many breeds of chickens that
have been bred to do both.
 Dual purpose breeds produce a
reasonable amount of eggs, while
utilizing feed to produce meat well
enough to produce a good meat bird.
Getting Started with Chicks
 When you first get your chicks, be sure to

offer them five things right away:
 Warmth of about 100 degrees
 Suitable floor covering
 Cool, fresh water
 Chick starter feed
 Protection from predators
 More is discussed on this topic later today…

Getting Started with Chicks
 Measure the temperature inside

enclosure at their shoulder level.
 If they regularly huddle together, they
are not warm enough.
Lighting
 Layers produce more eggs as the day length

increases.
 Electric lighting can be used to provide
additional light to keep layer production up.
 Hens prefer 15 hours of light per day.
 One 40 watt bulb can supply enough light to
keep up to 100 birds
When Does Egg Laying Begin?
 Pullets will not start to produce eggs until

about 22 weeks old.
 A hen will produce an average of 260 eggs in a
year, that works out to one egg every 28-34
hours.
 Have enough hens to provide for your needs
in eggs, either for
 Family consumption, or
 For anticipated sales.
Starting with Chicks
 If you start with day-old stock, you will have

to be prepared for your baby chicks.
 Set up an enclosed brooder which is free from:
 drafts
 protects from rodents, cats, etc.

 contains an absorbent litter such as wood shavings
and,
 a source of heat such as a 250-watt lamp or two.
Feeding for Optimal Growth & Egg
Production
 Space feeders to avoid overcrowding

 Offer continuous feed first week of life
 Use a good chick starter feed
 Size of feed for chicks is important!
 70 % cost in raising birds is in the feed
 Chicks cannot consume larger sized feeds
 Remember chicks don’t chew!
 Feed should be converted to a layer feed once birds

are old enough and are mature for egg production
 The waterer should be designed so that the
chicks cannot wade into it and get wet.
 Should be set at the height of their back
Brooding Chicks
 Temperature should be maintained so that the

chicks are neither huddling
1. Under the heat source, nor
2. In a corner as far as possible from the heat.
 If they are moving around the brooder, all is
well.
 Frequent monitoring of the brooder is the key
to success.
Brooding Chicks
 Of course, if you have a mother hen who

is raising your new chicks, you don't have
to worry about any of this.
 When it comes to raising baby chickens,
a mother hen is a lot smarter than you.
Production Basics
 Will you let your chickens roam your fields, or

will you keep them confined in a coop and/or
run?
 A combination of both is often used in small
flocks.
 Caution should be used for layer flocks – you
do not want your birds laying eggs
everywhere!
Production Basics
 Your space limitations may determine the

answer to this question.
 If you live in an urban or suburban setting,
you probably want to keep the birds confined
- with a fenced run outside their coop for fresh
air and sunshine.
 Be mindful of your non-bird neighbors!
Housing
 Housing for chickens can be extremely simple.

 The fundamental requirements are:
 Birds be protected from the wind or heavy drafts;
 Birds have the ability to remain completely dry.
 Chickens have a strong instinct to roost; so
will be more content if furnished with some
structure on which to roost.
Free Range, Confined or a Combination?
 Many home flocks are designed to allow the

chickens to be on the ground.
 This can fit in with vegetable production to
help control grubs and small insects in the
soil
 Can also control insects and grubs around the yard lawn
 To eat weeds and weed seeds.
Roosts
Different Housing/Coop Styles
“Chicken Tractors” are moveable

and can be shifted to provide fresh
forage around your property
Many are built on wheels so they can

be moved by you pushing or pulling
with a lawn tractor.
Different Housing/Coop Styles
Regardless of style, a coop should be

easy to access in order to enter and
collect eggs.
Purpose
 The intended purpose of your flock helps determine

many aspects of your production basics.
 Poultry housing protects the birds from the elements
(weather), predators, injury and theft.
 Layers would require year round enclosures.
 Broilers may not require year round enclosures-
dependent on the time of year you wish to be raising
the birds.
Chickens Need Space
 Space requirements vary according to the type

and age of the birds.
 Small breed varieties (Bantams) will need 2-3
square feet of space
 Layers and larger breeds may require from 3
to 5 square feet per bird.
 Overcrowding leads to many problems.
Chickens Need Space
 Space for resting, feeding, watering and

movement.
 Protection and escape from the weather and
from predators.
 Adequate ventilation to avoid moisture
buildup and stale air.
 If the flock has constant access to the outside,
they will do fine with less space in their
"sleeping quarters" inside.
Protection Against Predators
 Design your housing with predator protection

(especially at night) in mind.
 But don't anticipate threats like dogs,
raccoons, and foxes only - a least weasel can
get through any opening large enough for a
rat!
 ½ inch hardware cloth works very well.
 Plan ahead - it is easier than having to
purchase replacements.
Rodent Control
 Mice, rats, wild birds, varmints (raccoons, fox, etc),

snakes
 Tight, well constructed house
 Cover openings with ½ mesh hardware cloth
 Sanitation/housekeeping, clean up spills
 Keep grass cut and trimmed around house
 If the chicken shelter is tight and dry, it is
not necessary to provide artificial heat;
and it could be detrimental to do so.
 Chickens are very cold tolerant.
Chicken
Sweaters
 Be sure to provide sufficient nest boxes (one for each
seven to nine hens)
 positioned above floor level;
 keep them lined with plenty of clean straw; and
 collect eggs frequently.
 These measures help keep the eggs clean and
unbroken
 Will reduce the likelihood of egg eating, a bad habit
which - once established - is difficult to break.
Nesting Boxes
Nesting Boxes
Egg Laying Flock Health
 Many health problems can be avoided by

following the following five steps
 Purchase healthy birds from healthy flocks.
 Keep coops clean.
 Provide clean food and water. Clean equipment

that holds food and water regularly.
 Remove wet or damp bedding.
 Keep vaccinations up to date.

Collecting Clean Eggs
 Start with a clean and disinfected coop

and nest boxes
 Collect eggs daily
Collecting Clean Eggs
 The shell protects and defends against dirt and other

foreign materials.
 However, if the egg is not properly handled or
cleaned, bacteria can gain entry into the egg due to
the shell being porous.
 For a slightly dirty egg, rub clean with a piece of fine
grain sandpaper.
 For a very dirty egg, rinse the egg with hot water
(cooler water forces bacteria through the shell into
the egg)
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What are some factors to consider when selecting chicken breeds?

What are some factors to consider when selecting chicken breeds?

What are the basic requirements for caring for baby chicks?

What are the basic requirements for caring for baby chicks?

Production Basics

How Do I Raise Poultry for Eggs?

 Check the laws and zoning regulations where

 A hen will produce eggs, the eggs can

 These are generally lighter breeds selectively

 Are you looking to have a flock that

 When you first get your chicks, be sure to

 Cool, fresh water

 Chick starter feed

 Protection from predators

 More is discussed on this topic later today…

 Measure the temperature inside

 Layers produce more eggs as the day length

 Pullets will not start to produce eggs until

 If you start with day-old stock, you will have

 protects from rodents, cats, etc.

 Space feeders to avoid overcrowding

 Remember chicks don’t chew!

 Feed should be converted to a layer feed once birds

 Temperature should be maintained so that the

 Of course, if you have a mother hen who

 Will you let your chickens roam your fields, or

 Your space limitations may determine the

 Housing for chickens can be extremely simple.

 Many home flocks are designed to allow the

“Chicken Tractors” are moveable

Many are built on wheels so they can

Regardless of style, a coop should be

 The intended purpose of your flock helps determine

 Space requirements vary according to the type

 Space for resting, feeding, watering and

 Design your housing with predator protection

 Mice, rats, wild birds, varmints (raccoons, fox, etc),

 Many health problems can be avoided by

 Provide clean food and water. Clean equipment

 Keep vaccinations up to date.

 Start with a clean and disinfected coop

 The shell protects and defends against dirt and other

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