At the start of lay, it is essential to ensure that the layer receives optimum nutrition to support growth and egg production by feeding a high-density diet. Feed and water should always be available to the birds.

Depending on the age of the layers as well as the type of housing and season, a specific feeding guideline must be followed according to the Novatek Layer Brochure.

When the point of lay hen starts to lay eggs at around 19 weeks of age, she cannot consume enough feed to support growth and egg production. The point of lay hen must be fed the densest nutrient diet named novatek layer 95 mash up to 32 weeks of age.

From 33weeks of age the caged layer can be fed a less dense diet at a lower feed cost per kilogram. During the summer season novatek layer 100 mash should be fed. During the winter season the layer requires more feed to keep warm and a bulkier feed such as novatek layer 105 mash can be fed.

If layers are kept on the floor in a deep litter system they will require more energy for additional movement and increased feed wastage. During the summer season novatek layer 110 mash should be fed and during the winter season novatek layer 115 mash should be fed

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At no stage during production should feed or water intake be restricted. Once a week layers should be allowed to completely empty feed in the feeders, but only for a maximum period of 1-2 hours.

Always keep records of the daily feed consumption (number of bags x 50,000gram divided by the number of layers) together with the number of eggs produced per day. This together with daily mortalities and the number of cracked eggs will allow easy management of the layer farm.

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• Layer Feed Flier