The route to successfully sustaining egg production in aging layers
Maintaining egg production beyond 100 weeks requires understanding the metabolic changes associated with aging and implementing targeted nutritional strategies. Adisseo has developed a complete approach to secure, enhance, support and sustain long living hens.
Modern layer breeds possess strong genetics, capable of sustaining production cycles up to 100 weeks or beyond. However, in practice, layers are often replaced at 60-70 weeks due to declining productivity and eggshell quality, resulting in the underutilisation of their genetic potential. Simultaneously, the poultry industry faces the challenge of reducing its carbon footprint, improving animal welfare, and maintaining farmer profitability. Extending laying persistency addresses these issues by enhancing the sustainability of egg production, spreading investment costs, and boosting farm profitability.
This raises critical questions:
- What does it take to achieve the golden standard of 500 eggs in a 100-week cycle?,
- What are the specific nutritional needs of older birds, where to focus on,
- How can these needs be reflected in diet formulations?
