TechFocus_EGGS 0325 - Manual Egg Collection and Nest Box Ma…

the fumigation room. Next the second-floor collection is completed, followed by handwashing and sanitising before the second nest collection. Typically, three collections occur before midday, with a fourth collection in the late afternoon to ensure all nests are clean. As hens get older, they lay eggs later in the day, so collection times can be adjusted to align with peak laying periods. If there are more than three eggs in a nest, revise the egg collection schedule as this suggests an inefficiency in the egg collection process. Farms may employ different approaches to an egg grading area, influenced by whether a bogey/trolley system is used which may double as a grading table. If no trolley system is available, a table at the house entrance is needed for regrading or packing eggs into setter trays. Ensure egg trays are not stacked on the litter and avoid placing clean trays on the litter during collection. Be aware of the impact of radiant heat and house temperature from metal roof sheets. Do not store eggs in areas with low ceilings to prevent excessive heat exposure. Proper training in the collection process and workflow is essential for staff efficiency, speeding up the process. Untrained staff can slow down operations, causing double the work as a result of poor grading or damaged eggs. Eggs must be fumigated and cooled down as quickly as possible. Do not leave them in a warm environment for longer than necessary. Floor Egg Management Manual nests typically have 1 to 1.5 % floor eggs at any time. Initially, this may be 15 to 20 %, but with effective management, it should reduce to 1 % by 30 weeks of age at peak production. In the beginning, floor eggs should be removed and placed into the nest to encourage young hens to lay there. Once daily production reaches approximately 5 %, all eggs should be removed from the nests, collection started, and recorded as hatching eggs. To rapidly reduce floor eggs at the start of egg production, frequent removal is essential. If the percentage of floor eggs does not decrease quickly, an immediate investigation is necessary. Typical causes include nest height, nest access (maintenance), and the number of hens per nest. Additionally, assess the number of unusable nests. Identifying the locations of floor eggs, such as under nests, feeder lines, and in corners, provides insights into laying behaviours. Corners (being dark spots) or nests created by a hen, attract other hens to lay there. Eggs found under feeder

hens from ingesting them, which can lead to poisoning. Nest shavings must be completely replaced monthly and topped up in-between as required. Avoid overfilling the nest with material to minimise material waste as the hens will scratch it out. It is crucial to fumigate and thoroughly dry any nest materials entering the house to prevent aspergillosis. Introducing Young Hens to the Nest Introducing hens to the nests should start in the production house after they arrive. As they approach laying their first egg, nesting behaviour begins. During this three-week period, it is crucial to maintain clean, prepared nests filled with appropriate materials. Farmers typically place nests flat on the floor at this stage to help hens find a nest. Young hens often soil nests before laying eggs. Regularly remove droppings from nests to encourage the hens to enter. Begin nest sanitisation with prilling early to acclimatise hens to the scent. Delaying this process until peak egg production may lead to increased floor egg laying as hens avoid the nests. Egg Collection Procedures Establish a daily routine for both workers and hens to familiarise themselves with the system. Egg collection must be prioritised above all other tasks in the chicken house, performing at least four complete collections daily with manual nests. Begin the first round of floor egg cleanup early in the morning. After feeding, the hens will begin laying eggs. The first nest collection is completed, eggs graded and moved to Image 5: Example of a single row layout of nests in longer or wider houses