Feed management in layers plays a major role to ensure egg production, maximum peak production, long standing peak production, standard egg size, good bodyweight and to reduce feed cost per egg. Layer life is divided in 2 main physiological stages:
As a pullet from 1 to 18 weeks of age, with the objective to achieve: sexual maturity. During this period, it is recommended to monitor body weight to verify the appropriate bone, skeleton and muscle devlopment, in order to correctly reach the sexual maturity of the layer. Moreover, the levels of calcium and phosphorus and their ratio are key minerals to help the chicks in developing a robust body structure. Just before the onset of lay, the calcium need is increasing for both medullary bone formation and the production of the first eggshells.
As a layer from 18wk to 80-120 wk of age, with the objective to produce the first egg and maintain its laying cycle as long as possible. A good liver function of liver and medullary bone devlopment are the major key to ensure eggshell formation. Genetic company are recommending to feed a pre-layer diet starting at 14 to 10 days before expecting the first egg till 2% of lay. The purpose is to meet the calcium requirements for medullary bone formation and the first egg shell production, and to facilitate the transfer from a low calcium diet (rearing diet) to a high calcium diet (layer diet).
