Electric Fence
To discourage floor eggs and risks of smothering, an electric fence around the outside of the litter
area and along the partitions may be useful. It should be fixed at 5 cm from the wall and 12 cm above
the litter. It should be switched on at "lights on" and work during the period when eggs are laid.
Broody pen
The building should include 2 broody pens for keeping cocks at the beginning of production and later
for treating the broody hens.
For a 1,000 m² building, dimensions of each pen should be at least 25 m².
Mating ratios
In the breeder production house, keeping 9 % to maximum 10 % of males is sufficient to get proper
performances. In cage system, it is recommended to keep 13 % of cocks in colony cages (natural
mating) and 6 % of cocks when artificial insemination is used.
On transfer, to minimize the risk of aggressiveness, and especially if males have been reared
separated, we recommend that the percentage of cocks does not exceed 6%. The rest of the cocks
will be kept on standby in the broody pen.
At the beginning of production males can show an aggressive behaviour and encircle the females,
which will prevent normal feeding. This will affect body growth and hatchability. If this behaviour is
observed, we recommend that at least 30% of these males are held in reserve and introduced
progressively. In this case, as of 10% lay, the males will be progressively re-introduced as rate of lay
increases, a few each day, distributed evenly over the building, during the hours of darkness. The risk
of aggressiveness due to returning males will thus be kept to a minimum.
During production, it is important to have a pen for placing aggressive cocks at the beginning of
production and to separate broody hens to be treated.
Control of behaviour
Beak trimming
This operation is normally carried out for two main reasons: to prevent feather pecking and
cannibalism and to reduce feed wastage. It is a delicate operation, which should only be performed by
specially trained personnel. Poor beak trimming often leads to unevenness and, in some birds,
causes difficulties with feeding and drinking.)
Age of beak trimming
The decision about age of beak trimming depends mostly on the housing system: for production in
open-sided houses, giving exposure to high natural light intensity, one single beak tipping at 10 days
will not prevent pecking entirely. If done too severely at that age, it will lead to a reduction in growth
rate and uniformity. Under these conditions, beak trimming should be carried out twice: a light tipping
at 10 days and then a second operation between 8 and 10 weeks of age.
Spectacles or goggles considerably reduce the risks of pecking. If used, they enable the beak
trimming performed at 8 – 10 weeks to be less severe