How to manage your new pullets - Extension Poultry Specialist Department of Animal Sciences and Industry, Kansas State University - Compatibility Mode

How to manage your
     new pullets
               R. Scott Beyer, PhD
          Extension Poultry Specialist
Department of Animal Sciences and Industry, Kansas
                State University

Next Poultry Day and Pullet Sale

 •APRIL 25, 2020

Modern Egg Layers
         • Produces eggs in 17 -20
           weeks from hatch
         • Consumes just 3 lbs
           feed for each dozen
           eggs produced
         • Can lay at up to 90%
           production rate for 2
           years

About your new pullets……
• They are a hybrid strain meant for high egg
  production.
• They have been vaccinated, not beak trimmed
• They are about 16/17 weeks old

What do my pullets need?

•   Protection from predators
•   Good fresh feed
•   Clean water
•   Air
•   LIGHT

Protection from Predators
• The number on thing in Kansas that causes
  the death of your pullets is:
  –   Avian flu
  –   Avian pox
  –   Worms                 The number one killer of
  –   Coccidiosis           backyard chickens is your
  –   Snakes                dog, or your neighbor’s
  –   Raccoons              dog.
  –   Animal abuse
  –   Winter temperatures
  –   Hot summers
  –   None of these

Good Fresh Feed
Start your pullets on layer feed
  as soon as you get home!

     15/18% protein

       3/5% Calcium

•   Commercially available feeds
    •   Mostly corn and soybeans
        •   Maybe some wheat/sorghum
    •   Vitamins and minerals should be
        added
    •   Formulations vary based on age
        and purpose
        •   Starter
        •   Grower
        •   Layer

Grower feeds, turkey feeds, gamebirds feeds etc,
do not have enough calcium

Never offer scratch feed to laying hens in production

Crumbles and pellets are ok, but you may be paying
for something you don’t need

Other Feed Considerations
• Flax provides
  omega 3s
• Marigold
  provides yolk
  color
• BOTH of these
  they can get
  from grass!

Feed Management
•   Store feed to prevent rodent infestation
    •   You loose feed and money!
    •   Rodents are a source of Salmonella!
•   Types of feeders
    •   Hanging-type preferred
        •    Slows down rodents
    •   Self feeder

What kind of grit?
          A full feed does not
          require additional grit!

Kansas Grit!

“My chickens are free range”

Clean Water
• Automatic devices
  best
• Beware of freezing
  temps
• Your birds were raised
  on nipple drinkers –
  show them your water
  system.

AIR
• Birds don’t sweat, the pant
• Heavy panting is heat stress
  – Causes watery eggs
  – Then egg shells

If you want eggs, your pullets
            need LIGHT
• When you get home, its ok to use natural
  daylight for a few days
• Be sure you have nests open BEFORE laying
• When you get your first egg (2-3 weeks), from
  then on out, be sure that the birds get that
  exact day length for the rest of the year!
• Use a combo of artificial and natural light, use
  a timer.

Lights for this hatch of pullets:
• Make it simple, when your hens start laying,
  be sure they have a total of of 16 hours light
  per day
• Keep it this way till state fair time in 2020
• Then leave lights off and use only natural light.
• After molt in 6-8 weeks, turn your lights back
  to 16 hours

Anyone can make an Omelet!

“Give someone an
omelet, they will
eat for a
breakfast.“

“Teach someone
to make their own
omelet, they will
eat for a lifetime.”

Make it Yourself

Choose your
ingredients

Make it Yourself

Go to a cooker

Break 2 eggs!

Make it Yourself

Add a quick shot
of water
(about 2
tablespoons)

Make it Yourself

Scramble them!

Make it Yourself

Pour the eggs in

Immediately, did
a hole from the
side and push to
the middle

Make it Yourself

Tilt your pan,
allow the liquid
eggs to fill the
hole

Make it Yourself

Add your
ingredients on
ONE SIDE

Make it Yourself

Then flip the
other side over
the ingredients

Make it Yourself

Plate it up!!!!

Make it Yourself

Ta Da!!!!!!

The End