Laying hens

If you keep hens, you may notice a change at the turn of summer and autumn that can surprise even experienced poultry keepers. More feathers start appearing in the coop, the hens look “scruffy” or partially plucked, and at the same time they lay fewer eggs. Sometimes egg production drops only slightly, while in other…

Poultry belongs to the group of farm animals with a very intensive metabolism, which is the foundation of their high productivity. The rapid growth of broilers, high egg production in laying hens, and good reproductive performance of breeding stock are the result of long-term genetic selection, high-quality nutrition, and proper flock management. At the same…

Feather pecking and subsequent cannibalism are among the most serious behavioral disorders in laying hen flocks and can cause significant economic losses (e.g., reduced egg production, poorer feed conversion, and higher mortality).

In small-scale farming practice, the term grit refers to insoluble mineral material that poultry ingest to mechanically process feed in their digestive tract. It is therefore a physically acting component that supports digestion. Typically, it consists of small stones (often siliceous gravel). On the other hand, there is limestone (calcium carbonate), which also fulfills a…

Sprouted cereals are a simple way to enrich the feed ration, especially for poultry. Thanks to the germination process, nutrient digestibility increases and their availability improves. However, they are not a substitute for a complete feed mixture, but rather a suitable supplement when used properly and hygienically.

In small-scale livestock farming, smaller quantities of feed mixtures are often used. Therefore, it is not uncommon for a farmer to have some pellets or loose feed mixture left even after the (expiration) minimum shelf life date. Is it still possible to feed such feed to the animals?

The chicken mite is a dangerous parasite that causes stress, anemia, and reduces egg production in laying hens. Chemical products are losing their effectiveness and are subject to legislative restrictions. Herbal extracts are a possible natural alternative that repels mites and promotes poultry health.

Breeders raising hens for egg production naturally want them to produce as many eggs as possible while keeping costs low. For this purpose, commercial breeders exclusively use specially-bred hybrid layer hens created by crossing different genetic lines of pure breeds. These hybrid breeds carry in their genetic information the desired traits such as a high…

The domestic chicken, or hen, is one of the most important farm animals and provides benefits in the form of eggs and meat. Today, more and more emphasis is being placed on animal welfare. As a result, farmers are already starting to prepare for mandatory changes to the housing of laying hens. The following article…

The domestic chicken, or hen, is one of the most important economically utilized animals, providing benefits in the form of eggs and meat. At present, increasing emphasis is being placed on animal living conditions, the so-called welfare standards. As a result, farmers are already beginning to prepare for mandatory changes in the housing of laying…