The development of the body structure in egg-laying hens significantly affects their production performance. Body shape and skeletal growth are critical factors that determine the efficiency of egg production. The skeleton is the primary limiting factor, followed by body weight. In practical management, both body length and weight are used as key indicators to monitor growth progress. It's important to note that bone growth occurs rapidly during the first 10 weeks, with the skeleton reaching about 75% completion at 8 weeks and over 90% by 12 weeks. However, body weight typically peaks around 36 weeks of age. Poor body development can lead to lower egg weights in the early laying period, slower increases in egg production, and higher mortality rates due to issues like prolapse. If the body length or weight fails to meet standards, it often indicates improper brooding, leading to delayed production and potentially extending the laying period by 1–4 weeks, which negatively impacts overall productivity and economic returns.
To manage body development effectively, focus should be placed on skeletal growth before 8 weeks and on body length and weight between 8 and 12 weeks. Maintaining uniformity in body size is crucial, aiming for over 90% uniformity in body length and more than 80% in weight. High-nutrient diets during the early brooding phase (0–4 weeks) support rapid growth, but they also increase metabolic demands and reduce digestive efficiency. This makes chicks more vulnerable to stressors such as temperature changes, vaccinations, and diseases. Therefore, careful formulation of feed is essential, ensuring nutrient levels reach 12.5–12.9 MJ/kg metabolizable energy, 20–22% crude protein, 0.45% methionine, 0.8% sulfur amino acids, and 1.15% lysine, along with sufficient calcium, phosphorus, vitamins, and trace minerals.
Clustering and adjusting nutrition levels at key stages—such as 4, 8, and 12–16 weeks—help ensure even growth. At 4 weeks, birds below 10% of the average weight should be isolated and fed a high-nutrient diet until 8 weeks. At 8 weeks, those below or above standard weight should be managed individually, with adjusted feeding levels to meet their specific needs. For birds exceeding weight standards, switching to lower-energy feed can help control growth, while underweight birds may need extended feeding and added multivitamins.
For chickens aged 8–12 weeks, graded management strategies—such as reducing feed amounts, adjusting light exposure, or modifying feed composition—can promote balanced development. Proper lighting protocols are also essential for controlling sexual maturity. Extended light can accelerate maturation, while shorter light periods delay it. Light stimulation should be timed based on body weight, egg production rate, and breed-specific guidelines.
In summary, modern egg-laying breeds require precise management based on body development rather than just age. Monitoring weight and body shape ensures optimal growth, improves egg production, and enhances economic efficiency.
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