Eggs are an important agricultural product in the field of agriculture. However, hens sometimes accidentally peck or even eat their own eggs, causing losses to farmers. In order to solve this problem, we recommend that farmers use layer cages to prevent hens from eating eggs. This article will introduce the possible reasons why hens eat eggs, the benefits of laying hen cages, and related precautions in the process of raising hens, so as to help farmers better protect their eggs.
Possible Reasons Why Hens Eat Eggs
Nutritional deficiencies. Hens need a lot of nutrients to support egg formation during laying. If the feed is deficient in certain important nutrients, such as protein, calcium, and minerals, hens may find other ways to make up for the nutrient deficiency, including eating their own eggs.
Lack of calcium. Calcium is the main component of egg shells. If the hens do not get enough calcium in their diet, they may eat eggs to get calcium. This usually occurs when the hens have insufficient calcium stores or the diet lacks multiple sources of calcium.
Egg shells are too soft or damaged. Some hens may have egg shells that are too soft or even damaged when laying eggs. At this time, the hens may eat the eggs as feed. This situation is related to an unbalanced diet or hormone imbalance in chickens. At the same time, it is also related to the environment in which the hen is located, and the eggs may be punctured by sharp objects around them.
Stress and anxiety. Hens experience a certain amount of physical and psychological stress during laying. Especially when the housing environment is not suitable or there are disturbing factors, such as overcrowding, noise, smell, etc. Hens may relieve anxiety and stress by pecking their eggs, a behavior thought to be a maladaptive stress response.
Layer Cages Reduce Hen Eating Eggs
In order to reduce hens eating eggs, we can use laying hen cages to raise chickens. A layer cage is a special cage for hens whose design is inspired by the habits of hens.
First of all, the bottom of the laying hen cage is usually designed with a slope of 7 degrees, and the front end is equipped with an egg tray. When the hen lays, the eggs slide along the slope into the egg tray, which keeps the eggs out of the hen's sight and minimizes the risk of eggs being pecked open.
Secondly, the size of the grid at the bottom of the layer cage is also carefully designed. The size of the grid will not catch or break the eggs, which is very convenient for the eggs to slide into the egg tray.
In addition, the material of the laying hen cage is also very important. Under normal circumstances, the surface treatment of layer cages should be as smooth as possible to avoid piercing the eggs laid by the hens. This can reduce hens eating eggs due to broken eggs.
Finally, water pipes and troughs are installed on the layer cages. Hens get the nutrients they need on a steady and regular basis. Therefore, hens grown in chicken cages will be healthier and less prone to nutritional deficiencies or lack of calcium.
Precautions for Raising Hens in Chicken Cages
Chicken cages selection
1. The size of the laying hen cage should be reasonably determined according to the size of the hen. Cages that are too small can cause the hens to feel stressed and anxious, increasing the likelihood of egg pecking. Therefore, when choosing to use laying hen cages to feed hens, it is necessary to pay great attention to whether the space design of the chicken cages is reasonable.
2. Choose strong and durable materials to make layer cages, and avoid using sharp materials. Pay attention to whether the surface treatment of layer cages is smooth. The broken egg rate of chicken cages with better surface treatment is usually within five thousandths.
Diet nutrition
Provide hens with balanced dietary nutrients to ensure their physical health and psychological balance. Nutrient-deficient hens may be more prone to egg pecking. Nutrients or medicines for the chickens can be added to the feed or the dosing device at the front end of the drinking water system.
Often collect eggs
Increase the frequency of egg collection to minimize the time the hens are exposed to the eggs. When raising chickens in layer cages, automatic egg collection equipment can be used to improve egg collection efficiency and reduce labor. The automatic egg collection equipment can collect 3000-6000 eggs per hour.
Conclusion
Layer cages are an effective tool to help farmers protect eggs from pecking by hens. Farmers can minimize egg losses by choosing the right layer cages and following the relevant breeding precautions. The protection of eggs is not only of great significance to agricultural production, but also one of the foundations for people to obtain high-quality food.
We have provided chicken cage equipment for 30 years. The chicken cages we produce are all made of hot-dip galvanized wire, with a service life of up to 20 years. At the same time, we pay great attention to the details and design of the chicken cage. The surface of the layer chicken cage is smooth and it is not easy to break the eggs, and the egg breaking rate can be as low as two per thousand. If you are interested in our chicken cages, please feel free to consult us.
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