The right time to move Layer Cage

Mr. Ahmad

Malang-East Java

When is the right time for chickens layer move the cage so that the chickens are not stressed and have optimal production? How is the correct implementation management?

Answer:

Thank You Ahmad for the question. Moving the cage on the chicken layer from the enlargement cage (starter to grower cage) to the production cage (battery cage) should be done at night, morning or evening, when the environmental conditions are not hot. This is to suppress stress in chickens. It is also advisable to move the cage a maximum of 2 weeks before the production period, so that the chickens have time to adapt to new conditions. Even so, there are 2 alternative time that you can choose, namely:

1. The transition period from starter to growerMoving cages during the transition period (age +42 days) will provide a longer adaptation time for chickens. The time to move the cage gives the advantage that the achievement of better body weight, because competition between chickens in eating and drinking is smaller. However, the disadvantage is that moving cages will be done faster in the transmission of disease (especially if the ration and drinking places are made of paralon).
2. At the end of time growerMoving cages at this time range in age from 12 – 14 weeks. At the age of 12 weeks, the growth of bone or skeleton of the body (frame size) has reached the final dimension, after which the development of the body is no longer significant. So that grading as well as the transfer of chickens to the battery cage must be done. Moving the cage in the final phase grower should be done more carefully so that stress can be suppressed and chickens can more quickly adapt to new housing conditions so that feed and water intake can be achieved according to the standard.

If the distance to move the cage is too close to the age of production or is done when the chicken has started laying eggs, then the stress level will be higher. Impact, feed intake and body weight is difficult to reach the standard, and the development of the reproductive tract will be disrupted. The time of laying eggs and peak production will retreat.

On the other hand, the treatment of moving cages actually certainly affects chicken productivity. However, this influence can be minimized by the right management of moving cages, in addition to the right implementation time. Moving the cage must be completed within 1 day. The handling steps include:

• Before moving the cage, make sure the facilities used such as chicken baskets, cars and other equipment have been cleaned and disinfected. The battery enclosure must also have been cleaned, disinfected and rested for at least 2 weeks.
• Carry out the capture of chickens carefully and not coarsely.
• Use a means of transporting quality chicken, sturdy, safe and comfortable, such as Medion Chicken Basket. Medion Chicken Basket made with ergonomic design so it is easy to transport. It is also equipped with a misplaced preventer and assembly instructions.
• Make sure the air circulation in the chicken basket stack is smooth. Set the number or capacity of chickens included in the chicken basket. Try not to be too dense. Medion Chicken Basket it can be used to hold 15-20 chickens (depending on the size of the chicken).
• When moving cages, chickens should not be given rations (fasted, red) so that the digestive tract is empty but still given drinking water. Otherwise, the process of digestion and absorption of nutrients will continue and produce heat that will aggravate stress levels.
• Provide vitamins and electrolytes, such as Vita Stress before and after moving the cage to help increase the stamina of the chicken's body and reduce the effects of stress caused.
• After moving the cage, monitor the condition of the chickens regularly, including the level of ration consumption, temperature and humidity of the cage, weight gain per week until the peak of production, as well as the achievement of egg production.