3 keys to preparing pullets for aviaries
Follow these tips for successful pullet growing
September 26, 2024 | Erika Prewitt, Aviary Systems Specialist
A great hen starts with a great pullet! A well-grown pullet can set an egg producer up for a successful layer house. There are some key attributes that a pullet must have to be a great pullet, though. In this article, let’s discuss three key points for a prepared pullet to make the move to the layer house.
Before we get to these key points, I would first like to stress the importance of communication between the pullet grower and the layer farm. Preparing the best pullet possible goes hand-in-hand with knowing where this pullet will be placed.
The movement from pullet to layer barn can go much more seamlessly for the layer producer if the pullet grower is on board with communicating current and future conditions.
1. Walking the Pullets
From the very beginning pullets should be getting walked frequently. Even before they are released, the pullets need to get used to people. This is important both once they are released from the system and when they arrive at the layer house. Pullets are usually transferred to the layer house sometime between 16 and 19 weeks (preferably 16 weeks). This means there is a short period to get used to their new environment before they start laying.
If birds are flighty and not used to being in the aisle with people, this can draw them out of the nest or flee to the back of the system when people are walking the aisle in the mornings. The solution here is not to forgo walking in the morning or you’ll be more subject to floor eggs. If scared hens hover in the back of the system during morning lay and don’t feel comfortable moving to the nest, you’ll have increased numbers of mislaid eggs also. This can be a habit that is tough to break.
2. Perches Out/Movement Aids Removed
Starting at about 10 to 12 weeks, we start to focus on transitioning the pullet house to mimic the layer house. All layer houses should have perches, but most do not have movement aids such as ramps. However, this number is growing, and in the future, I think this will flip flop and most layer houses will also have movement aids.
Once the pullets have mastered nighttime training, we can start to focus on gradually removing movement aids. Remove a few per day, allowing them to learn to be less dependent on them. I don’t recommend removing any platforms or ramps if pullets are not successful at going into the system at night. At about 10 weeks, the perches should be fully extended if they are adjustable.
3. Adjust Intensity and Sunrise/Sunset Times
As mentioned above, it is important to communicate with the layer house on current and ideal conditions for the pullets. Both parties should do their best to match up light intensities and schedules.
If an earlier or later sunset or sunrise period is desired by the layer grower, now is the time to make small changes to help the pullets adjust.
Again, make sure to not make any adjustments if pullets are not trained to go back into the system.
If that’s the case, the pullet grower’s focus should still be one sunset training. Only once that is mastered can you take on the next task of meeting the layer house wish list.
Adjustments should not be made in any more than 15 to 30-minute increments. Pullets should be monitored to make sure they are still going back into the system at night with the adjustments.
Light intensity in the pullet and layer house can vary greatly. Measure intensities with an LED light meter to make sure breed standards are being met and that there are no large changes in intensities when they make the move to the layer barn. Intensities from pullet to layer barn should differ no more than 1-to-1.5-foot candles.