The pursuit of enhancing the longevity and productivity of farm animals, especially layer hens, has gained significant momentum due to its economic and environmental advantages. Achieving longer production cycles for layer hens is no longer a rarity. However, realizing this potential requires more than just favorable genetics.
The Quest for Longevity
In today’s world, many people aspire to live longer and healthier lives, free from chronic diseases and age-related issues. This desire for longevity is also relevant in the livestock industry, driven by the need to improve farm economic performance, reduce the environmental footprint of animal protein production, and ensure a sustainable and ethical use of animals for food.
Market and Consumer Demand
The focus on extending the productive lifespan of farm animals is most prevalent in the dairy and layer industries. These sectors are prime targets due to the high investment in animals that only become productive after significant time and effort. By extending the productive life of these animals, rearing costs per animal decrease, and the carbon footprint of products like milk and eggs is reduced. Additionally, longer productive lives increase total production per animal, meeting the growing global demand for dairy and eggs.
By 2030, global egg production is projected to reach 95.6 million metric tons, up from 87.6 million metric tons in 2020. To ensure sustainable growth, higher welfare and management practices are necessary. The industry is already evolving to meet these demands, phasing out practices like culling day-old male chicks due to legislative and consumer pressures. Advances in nutrition, health, and breeding are further supporting sustainable practices. Extending the productive life of layers is a key area where efficiency, welfare, and sustainability intersect, making “layer longevity” a crucial topic in the industry.
Three Key Benefits of Extending Layer Production Cycles
1. **Increased Profitability**: Longer production cycles result in more saleable eggs per hen, reducing production costs by spreading investment costs over a longer period. In some cases, this can also lead to premium pricing.
2. **Enhanced Sustainability**: Longer lifespans lead to better resource utilization and a reduced carbon footprint per kilogram of eggs produced.
3. **Improved Food Security and Quality**: Extending production cycles ensures a higher availability of quality eggs, meeting the growing demand for poultry products.
Nutritional Strategies for Extended Production Cycles
Standard production cycles for layers typically last about 70-80 weeks. However, with current genetics, it is possible to maintain layers up to 100 weeks without molting, significantly increasing egg output. Good genetics must be complemented by optimal living conditions, health care, and nutrition. Extended production cycles necessitate a greater supply of nutrients, especially calcium.
Optimal nutrition starts immediately after hatching, during the pullet’s critical growth phase. This period demands highly digestible protein and high energy levels. The rearing phase should focus on developing pullets that reach target body weight, uniformity, and feed intake capacity, laying the foundation for layer longevity.
As hens age, their nutrient digestibility and calcium uptake decrease, leading to larger but weaker eggs. Specific feeding recommendations for older birds are crucial to control egg size and eggshell quality. Research by Trouw Nutrition and others has improved our understanding of the nutritional needs and feeding practices for older hens.
Tailored Nutrition Throughout Life Stages
Each stage of a hen’s life requires a customized approach to nutrition. As hens move from rearing to peak production and beyond, their dietary needs change significantly. Addressing these changes with specific feeding strategies is essential for maintaining productivity and health throughout extended production cycles.
An Integrated Approach for Success
Sustainability objectives and evolving consumer demands will increasingly influence livestock markets in the coming decade. Extending layer production cycles aligns with these trends by enabling more egg production per hen, improving profitability, and enhancing bird welfare. Achieving this requires a comprehensive approach focused on health, nutrition, and stress reduction. By meeting the changing nutritional needs of hens at every stage and age, we can prepare them for longer cycles, ensuring they remain healthy and productive beyond 80 weeks.
In conclusion, there are substantial gains to be made by extending the productive life of layer hens. With the right strategies and a holistic approach, we can enhance profitability, sustainability, and food security in the layer industry.
