In winter, the egg production of laying hens tends to decline due to lower temperatures and reduced daylight. At the same time, their overall nutrient requirements decrease, so it's not necessary to feed them large amounts of feed. However, this doesn't mean that their nutritional needs can be neglected. Instead, the feeding strategy should be adjusted to focus on improving feather condition and maintaining overall health.
To optimize feed during the cold season, the diet should be more concentrated and balanced. This means reducing the proportion of energy-dense ingredients like corn, sorghum, fish meal, and soybean cake, while increasing the amount of roughage such as cereal husks. In addition, incorporating fresh, juicy feeds like cabbage, celery, and carrots can help improve digestion and provide essential vitamins and minerals.
The ideal feed ratio during winter should be 15% fine feed, 75% roughage, and 10% green feed. This combination helps maintain a healthy digestive system while supporting feather growth and general well-being.
Feather development is closely linked to proper nutrition, so it's crucial to ensure the feed contains a full range of nutrients. The diet should include adequate minerals, vitamins, trace elements, and essential amino acids to support both feather formation and metabolic functions. For caged hens, extra attention should be given to these nutrients, as they have limited access to natural foraging materials.
Additionally, to promote strong and healthy feathers, each hen should receive daily supplements such as 2 grams of sulfur, 3 grams of gypsum, and 1 gram of feather meal. These additions help strengthen the keratin structure of feathers and support long-term plumage health.
By carefully adjusting the feed in winter, farmers can help their laying hens stay healthy, maintain better feather quality, and prepare for the next laying cycle with improved performance.
Arm Portable CMM
Arm Portable CMM
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