Nests should have a sturdy entrance, solid base, and secure installation. The entrance opening must be large enough for hens to enter, turn around, and exit easily. Slatted floors should not be higher than 30 cm, with a slope of less than 5%. For manual nests, the lower rail should not be more than 55 cm from the floor and should be at least 10 cm wider than the upper rail.

After birds are transferred to the laying house, keep nests closed until hens actively search for nesting locations. Nests must be attractive to hens, so pay attention to the cleanliness of litter or wood shavings. Close nests at night to prevent birds from sleeping inside them.

If the number of floor eggs is high, nests may be opened 2–4 hours before lights turn on. Allow 3–4 hens per manual nest hole and no more than 40 hens per linear meter in colony nests.

At the onset of lay, walk through the house to encourage hens to leave the scratching area and move onto the slats. Conduct 10–12 house inspections per day during the first three weeks of production, after which inspections can be reduced to six times per day.

Hens observed about to lay eggs on the floor should be gently picked up and placed in the nest. Floor eggs should be collected immediately, as their presence can quickly cause hens to associate the floor with a normal laying site—a behavior that is difficult to correct. Floor eggs should not be mixed with nest eggs.

Operate mechanical nests several times per day, even before the laying period begins, to help birds become familiar with the sound.

Feeding and Lighting Management

Most eggs are laid within six hours after lights are turned on. Therefore, it is recommended to feed within 30 minutes after lights-on, or wait six hours before feeding. Try to maintain consistent feeding times from the rearing phase to the laying phase.

Observe the house during feeding to identify insufficient feeder space or feeder placement that may block access to nests. After feeding is finished, if possible, move the feeding system aside.

Maintain even light distribution throughout the house. Add lighting if necessary above slats, beneath manual nest boxes, or beside cooling cells to reduce or eliminate shadows or dark areas, which may encourage birds to lay eggs there.

Ensure that light intensity in front of mechanical nests is not higher than in scratching areas. Airflow should not be directed toward nest boxes, as cold air or drafts at nest level can discourage nest use. Poor bird distribution, caused by uneven ventilation in the house, can also lead to uneven nest occupancy in certain locations.

Keep male feeders away from nest areas, if possible, to prevent blocking access to nests. High numbers of males, or males that are sexually mature earlier than females, can lead to excessive mating. This may cause hens to hide in nests, reducing available nesting space.

Birds with poor mobility, illness, or heat stress tend to be less active and are less likely to move onto slats and enter nests to lay eggs.

A Holistic Prevention Approach

A holistic approach to preventing floor eggs—starting early in the rearing phase and encouraging hens to enter and use nests throughout the laying period—is essential to minimize eggs laid outside the nest.

Effective implementation of these strategies supports clean egg production, improves hatchery chick quality, and enhances overall poultry welfare. 🐔🥚

For more information, visit the Info Centre at Aviagen via www.aviagen.com or scan the QR code.