Ksy flock From Agri Canada – This publication is a guide for those who want to keep a few egg-producing hens for their own use. Chickens raised for egg production produce significantly more eggs than chickens raised for meat production.
Small Poultry KSY Flock Management – by Agri Canada – This publication is a guide for those who want to keep a few egg-producing hens for their own use.
This publication was originally prepare by the British Columbia Department of Agriculture Poultry Branch. Under the provisions of the Federal-Provincial Co-operation Committee on Agricultural Publications, the Canadian Department of Agriculture has agreed to print this publication.
Birds should produce about 240 eggs during the first year of laying and then usually enter a molt rest period after laying.
After a molting period of about 8 weeks, birds return to laying and lay 10 to 15 percent fewer eggs than the first year. During the second year of laying, the eggs are usually large but of poor quality.
For those who wish to raise their own flocks, both pullets and day-old pullets are commercially available for breeding (see conversion).
Laying house
The house should be well construct, usually with insulat roof and walls, depending on the climate of the area. Make it in a well dry place. Allow 0.15m2 of floor interplanetary per bird for Leghorns and up to 0.25m2 for weightier birds. The house may be four-side or square with a cottage style, shed or flat rooftop. Concrete floors and foundations make cleaning easier and help control mice and rats.
For plan
Plan the floor so that the house is easy to clean and the bird has only a short distance to travel for food, water, nesting and roosting.
Roosts and dropping pit
The remaining one-third of the floor is covere with chicken and droppings.
In front of the pit is a solid plywood, 60 cm high, and topped with 2.5 x 5 cm, electric welded, galvanized wire to keep the birds out of the pit.
Place the chickens (5 x 5 cm wood) on top of the wire at a distance of 36 cm along the length of the pit.
Clean out door
For easy cleaning of the spill pit, make cleaning doors in the lower part of the back wall adjacent to the pit. These doors can be lift and manure can be remove without disturbing the birds.
Windows and light
Layers need fresh air without drafts in winter. Install windows that slide up and down the exterior walls. They can be plac in front or on both sides. Install 2.5 cm poultry netting inside the window openings to prevent insects from settling on the windows and to keep wild birds out.
4.5 watts per square meter, or about one 60-watt light bulb for every 13m2 of floor area.
Laying birds require 16 hours of light per day for optimal egg production, and this can be controll by installing a time clock in the lighting circuit.
Feeders and feed
Use a hanging feeder for every 30 layers, capable of holding 20 to 25 kg of feed. ksy flocks Place the feeder pan at the bird’s shoulder height.
A commercial laying ration is a complete diet, so there is no need to feed extra grain or run the birds outside. Keep the ration in front of the birds at all times.
