Alternative / Growing Period Management
Growing Period Management
The first 18 weeks of a pullets life are critical. Good management during this period can assure that she reaches the laying house ready to deliver her genetical performance potential. Mistakes made during the first 18 weeks generally cannot be corrected in the laying house.
General Recommendations
- Grow pullets in strict isolation from older birds. Maintain good sanitation. Where possible, plan work routines so that disease organisms cannot be carried from older birds to the growing pullets.
- During the first six weeks, operate feeders to provide feed twice daily, or more often. Weekly check feed consumption and body weights against the chart on page 13. (Weigh 100 pullets to get a meaningful average).
- Check water availability, raise drinkers as the birds grow (nipples higher than the birds heads; cups or troughs level with their backs).
- Plan and follow a vaccination schedule specific to your area.
- Remove mortality daily and dispose of properly. Examine for causes of excessive mortality.
- Ensure target body weights are achieved by weekly check weighing (see Body Weight section).
- Minimum 80% uniformity necessary to achieve optimum performance (see Body Weight section).
- Gradually increase light intensity to match laying quarters 2 weeks prior to moving.
- Three days before moving pullets to the laying house, begin using water-soluble vitamins and electrolytes in the drinking water. Continue using for three days after housing. This helps minimise the stress of moving. Gentle handling will pay big dividends.