Liveability is the expression or term used to describe the numbers of survivors in a flock. The opposite of liveability is mortality which is the term used to describe the number of animals which die in a flock (Poultryhub, 2016). Liveability and mortality are calculated at a flock level and are indicated in percentage. Mortality is higher at the beginning of a production period up until the layers reach peak production. The mortality also increases slightly when reaching the end of the laying period. The average mortality is around 1 percent per month, increases of 0.5 percent several weeks in a row can indicate a problem. White layers (laying hens) have a mortality between 0.7 and 0.8 percent during a 4 week period …show more content…
Problems which can span from poor nutrition to a disease such as avian influenza. If changes are noticed, a detailed look taken of feed, overall health and other factors which can contribute or lead an increase in mortality.
First Grade and Second Grade Eggs
First and second grade are the most common way to categorize consumer eggs and processor eggs. First grade eggs are commonly sold in supermarket and the general public, while second grade eggs are used in bakeries or baked goods companies. Second grade eggs are normally worth less and thus are more undesirable. Second grade eggs are eggs which are not perfect, with minor defects or cracks which make them unsuitable for the consumer market.
To determine the if an egg is a first grade egg or a second grade the specification in the table below are looked at. Eggs which meet all the criterias are first grade eggs and those who don’t are second grade eggs (Kiepersol Eggs, n.d.). This typically done by a machine.
Grade One Egg Specification:
1. Soundness of shells: No cracks
6. Unacceptable odours: …show more content…
It is used to calculate the capacity of the hens which are present. The most desirable numbers for a farm is 85 percent or higher per year. The hen day egg production can be calculated by first taking the amount of hen-days in the period by counting the number of hens alive per day of the period, then the same is done for the eggs in the same period (Agritech, n.d.). To calculate the hen day egg production for a day or a longer period the following calculations can be