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Floor Eggs: Management to make layers lay fewer eggs on the floor
Many egg markets have switched to cage-free egg production. In this type of facility, the behavior of the layers in the nests has an important economic characteristic.
Eggs laid outside the nest are more likely to become contaminated by bacteria from with feces and litter.
Eggs laid outside the nest break easily and are eaten by birds.
The value of these eggs is lower due to degradation and diversion from egg processing.
Manual collection of eggs from the floor in an aviary is very expensive and a major hassle for egg producers. Eggs laid on the floor can cause increased cloacal cannibalism in the flock which is a problem for animal welfare. It is common in a flock of young layers for the birds to lay a few eggs on the floor while establishing their nest-use behavior.
Generally, the number of eggs laid on the floor will reach a low level in 2–3 weeks. Eggs on the floor are generally in the 1-4% range throughout the life of a layer flock.
BEHAVIOR OF BIRDS IN THE NESTS
It is very important to understand the behavior of the bird in the use of the nests to develop the appropriate programs to minimize the eggs laid on the floor.
Layer behavior in nests is a complex interplay of genetic, hormonal, behavioral, and environmental factors.
The layer environment should provide designated nest areas that allow the birds to express their natural instincts to search for the nest to lay eggs.
Eliminating inappropriate nesting sites within the birds environment is a management challenge.
Behavior before laying
As part of the pre-laying ritual, an hour or two before laying an egg, the hen is restless and begins to explore potential nesting sites. The bird frequently visits sites before choosing the place to nest, on average the bird visits the nest approximately 21.3 times for each egg laid. During these visits, the bird can eat, drink and clean itself as well as express other behaviors. (Photo 1).
Photo 1. The behavior of the birds before laying includes multiple visits to examine nesting sites before selecting the final nest.
After selecting the site, the bird returns several times, exhibiting nest-building behavior. If there is loose material like sawdust, the bird spends more time making the nest. Just before laying the egg, the hen spreads its neck and body feathers.
Some birds stop to lay the egg.
The time to lay an egg is variable betw...
