18/05/2022
To a poultry farmer, size of eggs is one thing that is important to him/her, this is because the bigger the egg, the higher its market value. To achieve this desired egg size, there are factors farmers do not know that affects chicken egg size. These factors include:
1. BREED:
There are many breeds of chicken and this is one major factor that affects chicken egg size. Some breeds are known to produce small eggs due to their small body size and genetic makeup.
2. TEMPERATURE:
Chicken raised in the hot season usually lay small eggs after the start of production. Understand that hours of sunlight are increased in the hot season, thus resulting in early sexual maturity and early egg production. This makes the eggs produced often small. Also, feed intake during the summer is often low, making their body size small thereby resulting in small eggs.
3. FEED INTAKE
Provided all the necessary nutrients are available and at the right proportion in there feed, the higher the feed intake, the larger the eggs, the lower the feed intake, the smaller the eggs.
4. LIGHTING PROGRAMS
This can delay or accelerate sexual maturity. The age at which chickens begin to produce and lay eggs has a significant influence on the egg size. The younger the hen, the smaller the eggs produced in the first year of life.
5. WATER CONSUMPTION
If water consumption is low, egg size and general production will be low.
6. DISEASES
understand that diseases are stressors to your chicken. Maintain proper hygiene to reduce the risk of infections.
