Distinguishing between a good layer and a bad layer could be quite difficult for inexperienced poultry farmers. For example, you may be interested in buying point of lay chickens, and you would want to buy good, healthy chickens. That means you must know the physical characteristics of good and poor layers.
Below is a table highlighting the physical characteristics of good layers and poor layers.
| Parameter | Good layers | Poor Layer |
|---|---|---|
| Vigour | Strong | Weak and unthrifty |
| Breed type | Wedge shape body | Shallow and tendency towards rocker keel |
| Head | Neat, refined | Beefy and crow head |
| *Comb and Wattles | Full, red, waxy, warm and velvety | Very long, thin and sharp pointed |
| *Eyes | Full, bright and alert | Dull and sleepy |
| *Beak | Stocky and well-curved | Very long, thin and sharp pointed |
| *Ear lobes | Full waxy and velvety | Shrunked and coarse |
| Neck | Stock and rather short | Long and thin |
| Body | Capacious | Limited capacity |
| *Back | Broad and straight | Narrow and crooked |
| *Sides | Deep and straight | Shallow and barrel-shaped |
| *Keel bone | Long and well-curved | Short and crooked |
| *Pelvic bones | Wide apart and thin | Close together and thick |
| *Skin | Thin, soft and oily | Thick, dry and rough |
| *Abdomen | Large, soft and free from fat | Small, hard with thick fat |
| *Vent | Full, larger and moist | Small and dry |
| *Feathers | Warm and soiled | Clean and perfect |
| Legs | Wide apart and well-set | Close together and knock-kneed |
| *Shanks | Thin and soft in back | Full, hard and round in the back |
| *Toe nails | Stocky and well-curved | Long and thin |
| Temperament | Alert, active and friendly | Shy, nervous and quacky |
| Moult | Late and rapid | Early and slow |
Hi!
I am from Gujarat i have a farm of layer chicken having 5000 chickens this is 78days old
please suggest feed and medicine for their growth as of now they are healthy.
in future what precaution should i take.
Feed them with growers mash. You should always practice standard biosecurity http://www.livestocking.net/health-management-and-biosecurity
I just started a poultry farm land need buyer for 6 weeks old broilers. I am based in Abuja
I am John i reside in Mpumalanga South Africa. I want to start a poultry project . Can you equip me with the knowledge .
I am always available for you