Sample Chick Batches & Intervals

Batches & Rearing Intervals

What do we mean by batches and intervals?

Why is this so important for the running of your poultry farming project?

For the sustainability of your poultry farming project and consistent production for routine market delivery – you must routinely top up your existing flock with new bird stock at expected time intervals.

Each production system has it’s own characteristic profile.

• 1+2 layer systems have a batch interval of 28 weeks
  • i.e. every 28 weeks a new batch of chicks is bought
  • …in an average year this results in 2 batches bought
• 1+3 layer systems have a batch interval of 20 weeks
  • i.e. every 20 weeks a new batch of chicks is bought
  • …in an average year this results in 3 batches bought
• 1+1+5 layer systems have a batch interval of 12 weeks
  • i.e. every 12 weeks a new batch of chick if bought
  • …in an average year this results in 4 batches bought

Each system has it’s own unique profile of production levels and therefore necessary input.

Remembering, however, that batch size is the critical multiplier in calculating projected numbers.

From the example in the screenshot above, you can see confirmation of the layer system used being 1+1+5 as declared in the intro B1.

The batch interval declared is 12 weeks and the average batch number per annum bought is 4 batches.

The following factors will vary significantly according to the differing nature of each layer system above:

• egg production
• feed intake
• number of poultry houses
• batches bought
• batches sold…plus, more!

This section of the plan just provides some common landmarks for basing projections further on in your own poultry farming project report.

Why are new batches bought periodically?

The egg production ability of egg laying hens is thought to be commercially optimal throughout the ages of 20 weeks to 72 weeks.

After 72 weeks, layer hens are generally regarded as being unprofitable to commercial layer operations and are culled (removed).

Further reading:

• Commercial Egg Production & Processing – University of Purdue