Feeding The Laying Hen

Feeding the Laying Hen
The nutrition recommendations are based on supplying a given amount of nutrients per

day to each hen. The recommended amount of nutrients is provided in milligrams or
grams per day and one must therefore know (or accurately estimate) the hens' daily feed
intake in order to calculate the dietary percentage inclusion of each nutrient. The diets
should be formulated on a digestible amino acid basis according to desired egg
production, egg weight, eggshell quality, and observed feed intake (see below). The level
of egg production is mainly controlled by the energy intake, whereas the egg weight is
affected—not controlled—by consumption of balanced protein and fats.
Formulating for feed intake

The hens' feed consumption rate is governed by several factors, including body weight
(or age), rate of egg production, egg weight, effective ambient temperature, feed texture,
dietary nutrient imbalances, and dietary energy content. The latter is especially important,
because hens tend to increase or decrease feed consumption to maintain energy intake
within a given range determined by the hens' physical capacity for feed intake. In other
words, hens will attempt to consume more of a low-energy diet than of a high-energy
diet. Only in special cases (such as nutrient imbalances or marginal salt deficiencies) will
the hens adjust their feed consumption to meet their needs for specific nutrients, but
usually not with great accuracy.
Accurate and frequent estimates of actual flock feed intake are critical to effective feed
formulation. Because the hens' feed consumption rate can vary with age of the bird,
effective ambient temperature, and dietary energy content, the diet's concentration of
energy and nutrients should be carefully considered such that the diet provides the
recommended grams or milligrams of nutrient intake.
For example, with an observed feed consumption of 95 g/day and a recommended daily
calcium intake of 4.10 g/day, the dietary calcium concentration should be 4.32%:
(4.10 g Ca needed × 100) / 95 g feed consumed = 4.32% Ca in the diet
Similarly, if the recommended digestible lysine consumption is 750 mg/day, the dietary
concentration of digestible lysine should be 0.79%:
(750 mg lysine needed × 100) / 95 g feed consumed = 0.789% lysine in the diet
Should the daily feed consumption decrease to 85 g/day (for instance due to increased
effective ambient temperature or an increase in the dietary energy concentration), the
hens fed the above diet would consume only (85 g × 4.32% =) 3.67 g calcium and (85 g
× 0.79% =) 672 mg digestible lysine, which is significantly less that the recommended
amounts. The same is true for other nutrients and energy. As a result, eggshell quality,
egg weight, and egg production may decrease. Therefore, with a feed consumption of 85
g/day, the dietary concentrations of calcium and digestible lysine should be adjusted to
4.82% and 0.88%, respectively, to ensure the recommended calcium and digestible-
lysine intakes of 4.10 g and 750 mg, respectively. This principle is demonstrated in
the nutrition tables where the nutrient levels are expressed on a percentage basis
according to the feed intake.
Feeding at start of lay

Formulating for the observed feed intake is especially important at onset of lay. The daily
feed intake is relatively low in the time between the onset of egg production and peak
egg production (18 to approximately 32 weeks of age). Yet, it is important to provide the
hen with adequate nutrition at this time to sustain increases in body weight and the high
demands for egg production—remember that even though the whole flock's egg
production is 50%, the hens that are laying eggs lay 1 egg per day (corresponding to
100% egg production for the individual hen). This high demand for energy and nutrients
should be met, but can be difficult because of the relatively low feed intake at this age.
Therefore, it is recommended to start feeding a fairly concentrated diet, formulated for a
relatively low feed intake, and then change the diet to a less concentrated diet as the
feed intake develops with age. Suggested nutrition programs are available for each of
Hy-Line's laying hens.

Feeding The Laying Hen

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Feeding The Laying Hen

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Feeding the Laying Hen

The nutrition recommendations are based on supplying a given amount of nutrients per

Formulating for feed intake

(4.10 g Ca needed × 100) / 95 g feed consumed = 4.32% Ca in the diet

Feeding at start of lay

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