To ensure optimal growth and egg production in laying hens, it is essential to provide high-quality compound feeds that meet their nutritional needs. These feeds should be properly processed and stored to maintain their quality and effectiveness. Key nutrients such as crude protein, calcium, phosphorus, zinc, manganese, vitamin A, D, E, and B2 must be included according to recommended standards. Proper feeding not only supports the hen's health but also improves egg quality and overall productivity.
Effective management of breeder chickens is crucial for maintaining a healthy flock. This includes ensuring appropriate temperature, good ventilation, and clean living conditions. Disease prevention is a top priority—strict biosecurity measures and regular health checks help prevent outbreaks. Additionally, maintaining a balanced sex ratio among the flock ensures strong fertility in roosters, leading to higher fertilization rates and better hatchability.
Proper egg storage and selection are vital for successful hatching. Eggs should be kept at 8°C–18°C, with humidity maintained between 75% and 80%. Ventilation is important to keep the air fresh and free from odors. For short-term storage (less than one week), eggs do not need to be turned. However, if stored longer, they should be turned once or twice daily at 45-degree angles to prevent adhesion. Studies suggest that allowing eggs to rest for 1 hour at 37°C or 2–4 hours at room temperature after collection can enhance hatching success.
Egg selection is equally important. Only eggs from healthy, well-managed flocks with high fertilization rates should be used. Freshness is key—storage time should not exceed 7 days in spring and autumn, 5 days in summer, and 10 days in winter. After hatching, eggs should be incubated within 3–4 days. The shells should be clean, uniform, and free from cracks, dirt, or debris. When using an egg candler, select eggs with deep color, slow rotation, and a small air cell size. Avoid eggs with abnormal shapes, thick shells, or those with large air cells.
Egg weight should be between 55g and 65g, with an elliptical shape and an egg index of around 74%. Eggs that are too large or small, or those that are misshapen, especially in the first two weeks of production, are generally unsuitable for hatching. If there’s a mix of sizes, separate them into batches for more even development.
Creating ideal incubation conditions is critical. The optimal temperature range is 37.5°C–37.8°C, with adjustments based on ambient temperature. In the early stages, the temperature should be slightly lower, then gradually increased. Ventilation is essential, especially in the later stages when the embryo's metabolic activity increases. Air vents should be opened progressively during the incubation period to ensure proper oxygen flow.
The key periods for hatching occur at 7–8 and 18–21 days of incubation. During these times, careful monitoring and temperature adjustments are necessary. Humidity should be raised to 65%–70%, and ventilation increased. Turning the eggs at 19 days helps promote even development, and early chick removal should be done gently to avoid damage.
Finally, maintaining strict hygiene and disinfection protocols in the hatchery is essential. All areas, including egg testing, storage, disinfection, incubation, and hatching rooms, should be kept clean and isolated. Tools and equipment must be regularly disinfected, and pests like rodents and flies should be controlled to reduce contamination risks. Before and after hatching, eggs should be fumigated, and hatchers should be cleaned thoroughly to prevent disease spread.
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