Recorded Egg Production for the Month

[ghulst]

I have three Isa Brown Pullets that are laying machines. I like to keep records so that is what I did for the month of January. They laid a total of 93 eggs for the month.That is 3 eggs everyday. They were 27 weks old Jan1.
Feed 31 lbs at .174 cents a lb.=$5.39
Replacement cost for 12 months lay = $1.00
Total cost $6.39
That comes to 82 cents per doz. Avg. wt. per doz. was 30 ozs
I was schocked by the egg production . I had 3 eggs every morning at 8AM. It was very cold all month here in Michigan. Always below freezing. They were given water at 8AM and 3PM plus feed . I feed a 17% laying mash . The pullets cost me $7.00 each at 20 weeks and I think I will get $3.00 after they have laid out. I would like to get a calculation when I can pasture the hens and see what the cost would be. I'm thinking that it could cut the feed intake in half. Has anyone of you done that?

 

[spottedtail]

Hi.

I think you could cut feed costs by pasturing.
I also think your production will drop some. Besides, it cannot get any better than it is now.
Even if your eggs numbers decline, the savings by pasturing should still result in lower input costs per dozen eggs.
If you keep those hens a second year, you'll definitely see a production drop no matter how you feed them.

Good luck.

 

[digitS']

Congratulations !!

You are doing real well on the feed costs right now. Each of them is only eating 1/3 pound per day. And, you are buying your feed for $8.70 per 50 pound bag.

I think I've done the numbers right. Treat 'em nice

!

Steve

 

[ghulst]

My next test will be putting 3 hens on pasture. I have some that are 18 weeks now.and will run them on pasture. Will put the results on here this summer. I also would like to put on laying mash and whole corn and see what prodution and cost would be. Fun Fun Fun

 

[CovenantCreek]

Quote:
Whole corn isn't your best choice -- it has a tendency to increase their body fat, which interferes with production. I think I've also read that unless it's cracked the hull is too hard for them to digest, they can't get the benefit of the nutrients that are in the corn.

 

[Buster]

Mine average .23 of a pound per day. I have 27 chickens including 4 cockerels. I go through a 50 pound bag in about 8 days.

In the summer when they are free ranging I go through a lot less. A lot less feed now without ducks as well.