Before we dive into how to increase egg size in layers, let’s review some egg-laying basics. Chicken egg production is stimulated by increasing day length. When exposed to longer daylight periods, hens lay larger and larger eggs until they reach full size.
If you raise chickens for egg production, you know that bigger eggs equal bigger profits. The size of an egg is a critical factor for commercial egg production.
Larger eggs command higher prices, so maximizing egg size should be a priority. Follow this guide to learn tips and tricks for increasing egg size in your laying flock.
The Role of Genetics.
Genetics is the first factor to consider for larger eggs. Some chicken breeds or hybrids are predisposed to laying larger eggs than others. For example, Isa Brown or Sex Link hens will produce larger eggs on average than Leghorns.
Poultry breeding companies have improved the genetic quality of poultry breeds to increase egg size on commercial layer farms.
If you are ordering chicks, do some research into the genetic lines best known for egg size. Genetic factors are hereditary and come from the parents of the chicken. To increase egg size in layers, choose hens with the best genetic potential for larger eggs.
Maximize Nutrition for Increased Egg Size
Nutrition is the second major factor to consider if you want to increase egg size in layers. Hens need a diet with enough protein, calcium, phosphorus, and linoleic acid to reach their genetic potential for egg production.
The amount of feed eaten in the morning is different from the amount eaten at night. Layers need to be provided with about 20% more feed during the morning than they need in the afternoon.
To ensure that your birds lay healthy eggs, give them a balanced diet according to the recommended daily amount. Read also: Layers Feed intake Chart and Weight Gain Chart.
Layers Body weight.
The size of the egg is determined by the hen’s body weight at the time of sexual maturity. It is a measure of the body weight of the pullet when she lays the first egg.
Can body weight lead to an increase in egg size in layers?
Without attaining the required body weight, a pullet may not lay its first egg. The heavier the bird during the rearing period, the longer the bird will lay and the bigger the egg size.
There are several factors that can have an impact on the body weight of birds. These include routine management practices like space control and beak trimming, as well as disease challenges and bird transfer.
Calcium supplementation.
To enhance the size of eggs in laying hens, ensure they receive sufficient calcium, particularly during peak laying periods. Calcium is essential for strong eggshells and overall reproductive health. Provide crushed oyster shells or calcium supplements to satisfy their calcium needs.
Parasites and Bacterial Infections.
The excessive presence of worms and bacteria not only damages hens but also considerably affects the size of their eggs. Chickens can get infected when they eat contaminated feed.
Infection rates in laying hens increase, leading to a decrease in their white blood cell production. This weakens their ability to combat worms and bacteria. As a result, smaller eggs are produced.
Regular deworming and treatment with antibiotics can be a very effective way to increase egg size in layers. Deworm by giving your birds a dose of deworming medication every 8 weeks or once in 2 months.
Weather Condition.
The size of the layer’s eggs also depends on the weather conditions. Birds don’t like hot weather. When it gets really hot, like around 30 degrees Celsius, chickens eat less.
To increase egg size, give cool water to your birds to regulate their body temperature. Adding ice blocks to their water can also be helpful if possible. Install fans and heat extractors to minimize the effect of high temperatures on the birds.
Read also: A Guide to Poultry Nutrition
Timely Vaccination
The most important thing to do is not to delay vaccination before they produce the first egg. You should not wait until you have seen the results of the egg before you vaccinate.
Vaccinating chickens later in their reproductive cycle delays the development of necessary antibodies for high-quality egg production.
When there is a delay in vaccinating chickens, it can lead to smaller eggs as it does not protect the hens. If you vaccinate hens late in their reproductive cycle, they may not produce healthy eggs.
Vaccinate your birds with the right dose of vaccine at the recommended time. In case you don’t know the right time to vaccinate your birds, contact a vet personnel. You may also read Tips to Ensure Excellent Flock Immunity through Vaccination.
Inadequate Supply of Quality Water.
Birds should drink fresh water every day, to make them have fewer chances of getting sick. Clean water makes the birds healthier and more productive.
An inadequate supply of clean water can lead to hens laying small-sized eggs. Some commercial chickens treat water with antibiotics, thus making the egg smaller than usual.
Stress Control and Flock Health
Stress from disease, bullying, poor ventilation or overcrowding often reduces egg size. Follow best practices for biosecurity, vaccinations, cleanliness and pest control. This keeps hens in peak health and feeling comfortable in their environment.
Make sure housing allows a minimum of 1.5 to 2 square feet of space per bird. Overcrowding causes stress, feather pecking and reduced feed intake.
Ventilation, temperature control, hygiene and nutrition must be maintained to prevent disease outbreaks. Finding and addressing sources of stress will lead to improvements in egg size.
Hen Age and Shell Quality
As pullets mature into active laying hens, their egg size gradually increases. As they age, their shells become weaker, which affects the size of their eggs.
If keeping older hens, use oyster shell supplements to improve shell quality and prevent declines in egg weight. Enhancing the strength of the shell not only makes eggs less likely to crack but also ensures that they remain usable.
Young hens lay smaller eggs than older hens who are in their most productive laying period. As they mature and advance in age, the eggs get bigger.
Insufficient Day Duration.
Egg production requires 12–14 hours of daylight. Anything less will affect the size and quantity of production.
Unless you provide supplemental light, there will be a decline in egg production and weight because of the decreasing daylight.
Providing supplemental light will help to offset the decrease in daylight and help to maintain the production of healthy eggs.
Benefits of Longer Day Length
Providing a longer day length through artificial lighting is a simple way to increase egg size in laying hens. Increasing the photoperiod from 16 to 17 hours has been shown to boost egg weight by 1.5-2 grams on average.
Conclusion.
To improve egg size: – Choose the right breed. -Provide proper nutrition. -Use suitable lighting programs. -Keep your flock healthy.
Create an ideal environment and provide proper care to each hen to maximize their genetic potential for egg production.
Use the tips in this guide to bump up your weekly egg weights and income. Let us know in the comments if you have any other methods for increasing egg size successfully!
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