Low Rate of Egg Laying and Hatching

The two main reasons for the low rate of egg laying and hatching are, mother hen’s intention for brooding eggs and prolong chicken rearing-period.

• Indigenous chickens usually take 15 days for laying eggs, 21 days of brooding and 75 days of raising young chicks, which result in low-rate egg production and low rate of hatching chicks.

• Egg production and hatching rates will increase when these periods can be properly managed by the owner.

• The price of indigenous chicken eggs is higher than layer eggs. Hence, in order to produce more eggs, hens’ brooding period could be prohibited, so that a hen can lay an average of 200 eggs per year.

• For meat production purposes, mother hens should allow only one month of chicken rearing period and take care of the young chickens separately, so that hens will breed again earlier.