The occurrence of non-nest eggs (floor and slat eggs) will lead to increased labour requirements, reduced hatching egg quality and a potential reduction in hatch and chick quality. Understanding the reasons why eggs are laid outside the nests and whatcan be done to minimise them is important if chick output is to be maximised. Avoiding or reducing high numbers of non-nest eggs starts with understanding the cause and by examining methods of encouraging hens to lay eggs in the nest. Proper training ofhens is vital to get the hens to the nests and to lay there. Training should start during rearing with perches and platforms being provided to train and stimulate the females in jumping and nesting behaviour. Perches should be placed in the rearing pensfrom 28-42 days of age providing 30 cm of perch space per female. Platforms can be used as an alternative or supplement to perches, allowing 1m~2 of platform for every 500 females. Light intensity in rear should be above 10 lux; low light intensities will discourage birds from using the perches and platforms.
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