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Layer Chicken Resources

Linking to these sites is an effort to make as much accurate information and resources available to users as possible. We have reviewed all sites before adding them to this list. However, we do not endorse all the information and content of these sites.

Egg Cleaning and Quality Flock Management  
Lighting Molting Other

Egg Cleaning and Quality

  • Proper Handling of Eggs: From Hen to Consumption. To insure egg quality in small flocks, egg producers must learn to properly handle the eggs they produce. This article will discuss how you can insure that your eggs will be of the highest quality and safe for consumption. By: Phillip J. Clauer, Poultry Extension Specialist, VA. Tech.
  • USDA Shell egg standards, grades, and weight classes. The voluntary USDA shell egg grading program operates under these standards, grades, and weight classes and the shell egg grading regulations. The voluntary program provides for interested parties a national grading service based on official U.S. standards, grades, and weight classes for shell eggs.


Flock Management

  • Egg-Type Layer Flock Care Practices is one of a series of University of California publications addressing the issue of animal care relating to food production in California. This publication is a joint effort of the Poultry Working Group, Cooperative Extension, and industry representatives.
  • Proper Handling of Eggs: From Hen to Consumption. To insure egg quality in small flocks, egg producers must learn to properly handle the eggs they produce. This article will discuss how you can insure that your eggs will be of the highest quality and safe for consumption. By: Phillip J. Clauer, Poultry Extension Specialist, VA. Tech.
  • Rearing Chicks and Pullets for the Small Laying Flock Good layers develop from healthy, well-bred chicks raised under good feeding and management programs. Buying the right type of chick is important for the most economical production. By: Melvin L. Hamre, Department of Animal Science, University of Minnesota.
  • Small Laying Flock A well-planned and well-managed small laying flock can be a source of fresh eggs, personal pleasure and, sometimes, profit. By: Melvin L. Hamre, Department of Animal Science, University of Minnesota.
  • Small-Scale Egg Production (Organic and Nonorganic) In the 1980s and 1990s, small-scale egg production has made a comeback, mainly because of changing consumer demands and emerging niche markets. This six-page publication, part of the Agricultural Alternatives series focusing on small-scale and part-time farming operations, covers small-scale egg production marketing, production considerations, disease problems, and regulations, and includes sample budgets and references for more information. (1999). By: Dr. Paul Patterson, PSU Extension.


Lighting


Molting


Other Helpful Information

  • Cannibalism: Prevention and Treatment Since there are numerous reasons for outbreaks of cannibalism, it is important that cannibalism control be a part of your management program. By: Phillip J. Clauer, Virginia Cooperative Extension.
  • Prevention of Egg Eating Egg eating by hens is a habit formed over time which is extremely difficult, if not impossible, to break. It is important you plan and manage your facilities so that the hen never gets the first taste of a broken egg. By: Phillip J. Clauer, Virginia Cooperative Extension.
  • Why Have My Hens Stopped Laying? A common question from small backyard laying flock owners is "Why have my hens stopped laying?" There are many factors which can cause hens to stop laying and in many cases there are multiple causes which add up to few or no eggs. The most common causes of decreased egg production include: decreasing daylength, improper nutrition, disease, advancing age and stress. By: Phillip J. Clauer, Virginia Cooperative Extension.
   

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Last modified Tuesday, December 7, 2010 10:44