- Rearing period for layer chicken is between week 1 to week 30
Layer poultry farming means raising birds for commercial egg production. Layer chickens are such a special species of hens, which need to be raised from when they are one-day old. They start laying eggs commercially from 18-19 weeks of age. They remain to lay eggs continuously until they are 72-78 weeks of age. They can produce about one kilo of eggs by consuming about 2.25kg of food during their egg-laying period.
To produce hybrid egg layers, consider the various characteristics of the cocks and hens before breeding. There are various types of highly egg-productive layer breeds available throughout the world.
Layer breeds
According to the nature and colour of eggs, layer chickens are of two types. Short descriptions of these two types are listed below.
- White egg-laying hens: This type of hen is comparatively smaller in size, relatively eats less food and their eggshell is white.
- Brown egg-laying hens: Brown egg-laying hens are relatively larger. They eat more foods compared to white egg layers. Lay bigger eggs than other laying breeds. Their eggshell is brown coloured.
