For a successful new flock, you need hens that are well feathered, lay many eggs and have low mortality rates. This is every layer farmer’s ideal. In addition to the condition of the new flock, their start in the house is also crucial.
“If the start is good, the rest usually goes well too,” says Ed Obbink, laying hen consultant at Pluriton. With years of experience in the industry and countless barn visits in the Netherlands and Germany, Ed has a keen eye for details that others may overlook. His goal is to create the best conditions for the hens. Ed uses his practical knowledge and experience to ensure the hens stay healthy and productive. His first tip: ensure a smooth transition from rearing to laying.
Gradual change of environment
“A rearing hen and a laying hen are not different animals just because they have been moved,” Ed explains. “It remains the same animal and it needs time to get used to the new environment.” Ed compares this to a tough profession such as a paver. “If from the age of 17 to 21 you think ‘I’ll just put in the hours’ then by the age of 50 you’re pretty much worn out. The same goes for chickens. Give them time to get used to the new system and environment.” Ed recommends feeding the same feed for the first few days as during rearing and gradually adjusting the light intensity. “If the lights were around 15 lux during rearing, don’t set them to 60 lux immediately in the house, but increase them gradually. Otherwise the birds will get too much incentive, and that is not necessary at all.”
How do you know when the birds are sufficiently accustomed to the house? “Weight is a reliable indicator,” says Ed. “Most poultry farmers have a digital weighing plate; this is actually a must for every farmer. If you don’t have one, you can weigh them with a unster. If you weigh a small number of hens, that already gives a good indication. When the hens are back to their original weight, that is, the weight they lost during transport has been regained, then the hens are used to the barn and can be stimulated.”
Ed emphasizes that stable body weight and egg weight are important indicators of chicken health. He recommends regular random monitoring of these.
Optimal start for 17-week-old laying hens
Every house is different, and therein lies the challenge for Ed. He wants the flocks of the breeds Pluriton supplies to have a good time and perform optimally. That is why he does not sit at the kitchen table with poultry farmers to discuss an order, but goes into the house with them. Whether the house is full of chickens or empty, Ed sees the process before his mind’s eye. Out of automatism, he checks important elements: how is the light arranged, how are the water lines placed? Are there cold spots in the barn? And how can the birds move around? If possible, Ed tests the lighting plan while the house is empty, so the poultry farmer can get a good start with the new flock right away. With special measuring equipment he measures what the bird sees; birds experience light very differently from humans. Lighting is crucial, Ed emphasizes, “Too much blue light reduces the activity of the bird.”
Laying hen farmers can count on barn visits and personal guidance from Ed and his colleague Henri. A good start-up is their priority. Ed highlights, “You should never run away from a problem. Think in solutions and see how you can find each other in them.”
A healthy and productive barn
Collaboration is provided across the board; from driver delivery to equipment in the barn. Ed explains: “Is the barn door high enough so the driver doesn’t have to pick the chickens over unnecessarily?” And about the equipment, he says, “A Christmas tree setup is easiest for the chicken. Start wide and gradually narrow it so the chickens can easily jump up and down the entire length of the system.” Sharing practical knowledge and experience is in the nature of Ed and his colleagues. They literally and figuratively stand beside the poultry farmer and share the goal of achieving good yields with a healthy flock. ” It is always exciting to get the hens up. That’s just a sport. If we get the settings right and the hens go up, I go home feeling really good.”
Each situation is unique because poultry farmers’ needs vary. “Some operators prefer heavier eggs. Then you have to start a little later. If you light quickly, the eggs come faster and you also have a little less egg weight. These are things we discuss personally,” Ed explains. New poultry farmers at Pluriton can therefore expect many questions; about their goals and future plans. During delivery, Ed is also there, in overalls and boots, ready to help. “That farmer mentality is in us. That’s what makes us, I think, also a little bit different. We don’t just deliver the laying hens, we do everything we can to get the flock off to a good start.”
Short lines and fast switching in the barn
Problems can also arise along the way. Ed gives as an example a situation with outdoor nest eggs. “A farmer called with a problem and said he found eggs early in the morning. I asked him what time the light came on, and he said at six. So I stood there at six the next morning. He thought I was joking and wasn’t out of bed himself yet. But I got there in time to see what went wrong, because often something goes wrong in the settings. If you can fix that, you’ve already gained a lot. By addressing problems directly and not running away from them, you build a stronger relationship.”
With the right guidance, one-on-one contact and practical tips from Pluriton, you can ensure that your laying hens get an optimal start and stay healthy. Contact our sales team for more information and personal guidance.
"New poultry farmers can expect many questions from Pluriton about their goals and future plans."