Autumn Egg-Laying Hens Need “Supplementing”—What Should They Be Given?

　　After hens get through the hot summer, their physical condition declines somewhat. As autumn arrives and the weather gradually cools, the feed intake of laying flocks gradually increases, and egg production should also gradually rise. Strengthening feeding and management at this time helps laying hens recover their physical condition and improves the economic returns from raising them.

　　To ensure that laying hens achieve high egg production and better returns, the following measures should be taken.

　　一、Adjust the flock appropriately

　　At the start of autumn, older hens molt and younger hens begin laying. This is a good season for adjusting the flock and selecting breeding hens. The flock should be adjusted and assessed according to plan;

　　Cull hens that lay few eggs, have stopped laying, are weak or stunted, have serious vices, have a short peak-laying period, are too fat or too thin, or are sick and have no treatment value. Keep hens with good production performance, robust physical condition, and normal egg production.

　　二、Adjust the feed

　　After the beginning of autumn, increase the animal-protein feed and add multivitamins to the feed. Supplement the feed of hens that have not yet molted so they continue laying eggs, and promote rapid feather growth in hens that have molted so they can resume production as soon as possible;

　　As hens’ nerves are very sensitive at this time, when increasing the nutrient content of their feed, add and scatter it slowly to avoid stimulating their nerves and causing them to molt and stop laying. Spring-raised pullets must also be given relatively nutrient-rich feed to increase egg production.

　　Three. Reduce the impact of climate change and supplement lighting

　　Keep fluctuations in the microclimate inside the henhouse from becoming too large, and reduce the difference between daytime and nighttime temperatures. When the daytime temperature is too high for hens kept outdoors, drive them into the shade of trees or a shelter; when the temperature is low at night, drive them into the henhouse.

　　After the beginning of autumn, natural daylight hours gradually decrease. During the laying period, supplement lighting as appropriate. A suitable temperature for laying hens is 13—24℃, and the relative humidity is 50%～75%. Temperatures and humidity that are too high or too low will reduce the hens’ laying rate.

　　Four. Control stocking density and group hens appropriately

　　Depending on age in days, rearing conditions, and ventilation conditions, the generally suitable density for floor-reared hens is 1—20 days of age: 25—30 birds per square meter; 21—40 days of age: 15～20 birds per square meter. The general density for caged laying hens is 15～16 birds per square meter.

　　Five. Carry out autumn disease prevention and vaccination

　　In early autumn, rainfall is frequent and humidity is high. The weather is hot and muggy, and the poultry house is damp, making chickens prone to respiratory and intestinal infectious diseases. Therefore, strengthening hygiene and disease prevention is another important measure for ensuring high and stable egg production.

　　① Strengthen ventilation

　　Open the doors and windows during the day to increase ventilation, and provide appropriate ventilation at night to lower the temperature and humidity. This helps chickens dissipate heat and reduces the water content of chicken manure, limiting the conditions for manure fermentation in the poultry house. Clean the poultry house and run frequently, and disinfect feeders, waterers, and other utensils regularly to reduce the incidence of disease in chickens.

　　② Vaccine prevention

　　As part of autumn disease prevention, vaccinate the chickens and deworm them for internal parasites (especially roundworms and tapeworms). While deworming the chickens, promptly remove their feces and pile them up to ferment, thereby killing the parasite eggs.

　　③ Observe regularly

　　Pay attention to the chickens' behavior, feed intake, activity, and droppings. Isolate and treat any sick chickens promptly to prevent the disease from spreading.