Physiological characteristics and habits of laying hens

1. Laying chicken have fast metabolism, rapid growth and high reproduction rate   

The body temperature of newborn chicks is about 39.6℃, and the lowest is 33℃. After 10 days, the body temperature regulation system tends to be perfect, maintaining the level of 41-42℃. therefore,

1 week old chicks require an ambient temperature of 30-34℃.

25-30℃ required at 2 weeks of age

20-25℃ is required at 3 weeks of age.

For chickens, the most suitable ambient temperature for growth is 15-25℃ (the appropriate temperature for egg production is 13-23℃).

The body temperature of an adult chicken is 41-42℃, breathing 36 times per minute, heartbeat about 300 times, and metabolism is very strong. One laying hen can produce 15-17kg (280-320 eggs) a year, about 10 times his body weight.

To ensure metabolic needs, we must give rich nutrients and energy substances. The chicken feed formula should be as comprehensive and balanced as possible. In addition, there are also high requirements for environmental conditions.

2. laying chicken afraid of heat, sensitive and timid

Chicken do not have sweat glands and rely mainly on respiratory heat to regulate body temperature. Therefore, the heat resistance is poor. If the ambient temperature is above 35℃ for a long time, there is a danger of death because of heating. Of course, if the temperature is too low, on the other hand, it will affect the growth and development of chickens and the egg production rate. And it also will increase feed consumption and reduce economic benefits. Chickens prefer a warm and dry environment. Humidity is not conducive to heat dissipation in chickens and can cause various diseases.

The sensory organs of chickens are more sensitive. Any sudden appearance of new sounds, movements, objects, etc. will cause a series of stress reactions in chickens such as screams, leaps, runaways, bursting groups, and so on. When the breeding density is high, they often appear to get together and crush and die. The laying hens are discontinued or susceptible to abnormal eggs such as soft shell eggs, yellow eggs, and double yellow eggs.   

3. laying chicken like living in groups, love to fight and imitate

Chicken like living in group. Generally, they do not keep alone. Chickens that have just been shelled for a few days will find group. Once they are out of the group, they will scream. Both males and females have strong nesting abilities and can quickly adapt to the new environment. At the same time, they refuse the new chicken, once the new chicken came, will fight until one party is defeated, so it is easy to manage when you rear the chicken in the chicken cage. 

4. Poor disease resistance

The chicken's lungs are small, many air bags are connected, and air cells are present in various parts of the body, including the bone cavity, to communicate with each other, making it easy for some air-borne pathogens. Along the respiratory tract, it enters the lungs, airbags, and body cavities, muscles, and bones. Therefore, most infectious diseases of chickens are spread through the respiratory tract.

5. laying chickens are suitable for large-scale breeding

The chicken's artificial hatching technology allows up to 10,000 chicks to be thrown out at a time, providing chicks for large-scale breeding. 

Under the unified feeding and management conditions, the growth and development of chickens is quite same, and chickens have a small range of activities. They like to live in groups and love to imitate. By controlling the time and intensity of light, they can control the production of chickens sooner or later and at the same time, resulting in large-scale farming.

The high-density breeding has improved the utilization rate of the chicken house. Because of chicken cage, A single chicken house can keep tens of thousands of laying hens and saves labor, thus achieving high productivity and efficiency.