Laying Hens And Broilers: Similarities And Differences And Feeding Points

As the two main directions of poultry farming, laying hens and broilers belong to the same category of chickens, but there are significant differences in breeding goals, physiological characteristics and feeding management. This article will introduce the breeding characteristics of laying hens and broilers respectively, and analyze the similarities and differences in their feeding points and environmental control.

1. Breeding goals and physiological characteristics

Laying hens: The main goal is to produce edible eggs, with a small body, vigorous metabolism and high egg production rate. The physiological characteristics of laying hens determine that they have higher requirements for nutrition, environment and feeding management.

Broilers: The main goal is to produce broiler chickens, with fast growth rate, high feed conversion rate and large body size. The physiological characteristics of broilers determine that they have special requirements for feed nutrition, feeding density and environmental control.

2. Feeding points

① Nutritional requirements

Laying hens: need a high-protein, high-energy, high-calcium diet to meet their egg production needs. Laying hens at different growth stages have different nutritional requirements, and scientific feeding plans need to be formulated according to their physiological characteristics.

Broilers: They need a high-energy, high-protein diet to promote their rapid growth. Broilers are generally fed ad libitum to ensure adequate nutrient intake.

② Environmental control

Temperature: Both laying hens and broilers have relatively high temperature requirements, but the suitable temperature range is different. The suitable temperature for laying hens is 13-27℃, and the suitable temperature for broilers is 21-27℃.

Humidity: Both laying hens and broilers need to maintain suitable humidity, generally controlled at around 60-70%

Ventilation: Good ventilation can expel harmful gases in the chicken house and keep the air fresh, which is crucial to the healthy growth of laying hens and broilers.

Lighting: Lighting has a great impact on the egg-laying performance of laying hens, and sufficient light time and intensity need to be provided. Broilers have relatively low requirements for light, but proper light can promote their feeding and growth.

③Feeding and management

Density: The feeding density of both laying hens and broilers needs to be reasonably controlled according to their breed, age and feeding method to avoid crowding stress and affect their health and production performance.

Sanitation and epidemic prevention: Both laying hens and broilers need to do a good job in sanitation and epidemic prevention, and regularly disinfect, vaccinate and deworm to prevent the occurrence of diseases.

Record and analysis: Bothlaying hens and broilers need to keep various production records, including feed consumption, egg production, weight gain, mortality rate, etc., so as to find problems in time and adjust the feeding and management plan.

3. Analysis of similarities and differences

There are significant differences between laying hens and broilers in terms of breeding goals, physiological characteristics, nutritional requirements, environmental control and feeding management.

Laying hens are mainly aimed at producing edible eggs. They are small in size, have vigorous metabolism and high egg production rate. Therefore, they need a high-protein, high-energy, high-calcium diet, and have high requirements for environmental conditions such as temperature, humidity, ventilation and light.

Broilers, on the other hand, are mainly aimed at producing broiler chickens. They grow fast, have high feed conversion rates, are larger in size, require high-energy, high-protein diets, have high requirements for temperature, humidity and ventilation, but relatively low requirements for light.

In terms of feeding and management, both need to reasonably control density, do a good job of sanitation and epidemic prevention, and conduct detailed production records and analysis to ensure the healthy growth of the flock and maximize the breeding benefits.

4. Summary

The breeding of laying hens and broilers has its own characteristics, and scientific feeding and management plans need to be formulated according to their physiological characteristics and breeding goals. Only by providing a suitable environment, nutrition and management can the healthy growth of the flock be guaranteed and good economic benefits be obtained.

5. Suggestions:

When choosing breeding varieties, farmers should make comprehensive considerations based on their own conditions and market demand.

Learning and mastering scientific breeding techniques is the key to improving breeding benefits.

Pay attention to industry trends and market information, and adjust breeding strategies in a timely manner.

I hope the above content can help you better understand the breeding knowledge of laying hens and broilers.