Basic husbandry for commercial chicken layers
Learn basic husbandry information for raising commercial layer chickens.
ISSN 1198-712X, Published October 2013
The tables and figure in this Factsheet provide basic husbandry information for commercial layers. Proper care and management of birds and their environment result in fewer mortalities and improved egg production. Additional information on poultry production can be found at Ontario.ca/livestock.
| Incandescent bulbs (Watts) | Incandescent bulbs (Lumens) | Compact fluorescent bulbs (Watts) | Compact fluorescent bulbs (Lumens) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 25 | 270 | 5 | 250 |
| 40 | 510 | 7 | 400 |
| 52 | 780 | 9 | 600 |
| 60 | 860 | 15 | 900 |
| 90 | 1,540 | 18 | 1,250 |
| 100 | 1,680 | 26 | 1,800 |
| Fan Diameter (in.) | Range of Airflow (CFM) — all airflows measured at 0.10 in. static pressure | Average Airflow (CFM) — all airflows measured at 0.10 in. static pressure |
|---|---|---|
| 12 | 1,400-1,800 | 1,600 |
| 14 | 1,900-2,200 | 2,050 |
| 16 | 2,500-3,000 | 2,750 |
| 18 | 3,000-4,000 | 3,500 |
| 20-22 | 3,000-5,000 | 4,000 |
| 24-26 | 5,000-7,000 | 6,000 |
| 36 | 8,000-12,000 | 10,000 |
| 48 | 18,000-22,000 | 20,000 |
| 50 | 19,000-27,000 | 23,500 |
CFM=cubic feet per minute
Source: Agricultural fan performance test results from Bio-Environment Structural Systems (BESS) labs at the University of Illinois.
Accessible description for Figure 1
| Criteria | Brooding (0-6 weeks) | Pulling Rearing (6-18 weeks) | Laying (18+weeks) |
|---|---|---|---|
Air Temperature (at bird height | Day-old: 30-32°C Two days old to 3 weeks: lowered 3°C per week to 22°C | 22°C | 22°C |
| Relative Humidity | Above 50% | Above 50% | Above 50% |
| Ventilation | 0.3-2.1 CFM/bird | 0.6-7.7 CFM/bird | 0.6-11 CFM/bird |
| Ammonia | Maximum of 25 ppm (parts per million): >10 ppm: damage to lung surface >20 ppm: increased respiratory issues, human eyes affected >50 ppm: reduced growth rate | Maximum of 25 ppm (parts per million): >10 ppm: damage to lung surface >20 ppm: increased respiratory issues, human eyes affected >50 ppm: reduced growth rate | Maximum of 25 ppm (parts per million): >10 ppm: damage to lung surface >20 ppm: increased respiratory issues, human eyes affected >50 ppm: reduced growth rate |
Lighting Guidelines may vary with the strain of layer selected. | Intensity:
Duration of photoperiod:
| Intensity:
Duration of photoperiod:
| Intensity:
Duration of photoperiod:
|
| Water | Cage: 10 birds/nipple or cup (minimum 2 nipples or cups/cage) or 2.5 cm of trough/bird Floor: 10 birds/nipple of cup or 2.5 cm of trough/bird or 90 birds/bell drinker | Cage: 10 birds/nipple or cup (minimum 2 nipples or cups/cage) or 5 cm of trough/bird Floor: 10 birds/nipple or cup or 5 cm of trough/bird or 90 birds/bell drinker | Cage: 10 birds/nipple or cup (minimum 2 nipples or cups/cage) or 10 cm of trough/bird Floor: 10 birds/nipple or cup or 10 cm of trough/bird or 90 birds/bell drinker |
| Feeders | Cage: 5 cm of trough/bird Floor: 5 cm of trough/bird or 4 pans/100 birds | Cage: 7.5 cm of trough/bird Floor: 7.5 cm of trough/bird or 4 pans/100 birds | Cage: 10 cm of trough/bird Floor: 7.5 cm of trough/bird or 4 pans/100 birds |
| Density* | Cage: 160 cm2/bird (white) or 200 cm2/bird (brown) Floor: 18 birds/m2 (white) or 14 birds/m2 (brown) | Cage: 350 cm2/bird (white) or 361 cm2/bird (brown) Floor: 10 birds/m2 | Cage: 450 cm2/bird Floor: 6 birds/m2 (litter) or 9 birds/m2 (slats) |
CFM = cubic feet per minute
ppm = parts per million
*Adapted from ISA Poultry Products (Shaver, ISA, Bovans).
Values in this Factsheet are in imperial measurements, reflecting common usage in the ventilation industry.
This Factsheet was written by Al Dam, Poultry Specialist, OMAFRA, Guelph, and Kathleen Taylor, Poultry Research Technician, OMAFRA, Guelph.
Accessible image description
Figure 1. Lumens/watt of typical light sources on farms
Bar graph showing wattage for typical lights. Y-axis (vertical) starts at 0 and goes up to 120. X-axis (horizontal) lists long-life incandescent bulbs on the left, then incandescent, compact fluorescent, tube t12 fluorescent, tube t8 fluorescent, tube t5 fluorescent, high-intensity discharge metal halide, and high-intensity discharge high-pressure sodium on the right.