LAYING CHICKEN

Selection of healthy chicken is important to ensure a health flock with high productivity. 

It is important to look for different features in chicks, growers, hens and cocks. Select or buy new chicken early in the day, as stress from lack of water, feed and rest, will make them look sickly  A breed is a group of chicken with unique features inherited from parents. Features such as the, colour of   comb, ear lobes and shank are usually determined by breed. A breed could have variations in plumage colour. Thus, a white and a black hen may just be different variants of the same breed

Features of a Healthy Chick

• Shiny, dry, thick and colored down feathers
  
• Soft belly
  
• Clean, dry navel and clean feathers around the vent
• Thick shanks with spaced and straight toes
  
• Big clear eyes
• Lively behavior

Features of a Healthy Grower

• Alert and on guard
  
• Bright eyes and comb
  
• Walk, run, stand and scratch
• Continuously Eat and drink
  
• Normally Lay eggs
• Normally Smooth and neat feather
• Soft compact droppings breathe quietly
  

Feathering shiny and normal (depends on the breed) 

• Large size for the age
  
• Eyes clear and shiny
  
• Clean, dry beaks and nostrils
  
• Clean feathers around the vent
• Straight legs and toes
  

Males are large relative to the hens and are mostly alert and protective 

Additional feature for a Healthy Good Layer

•      A red comb (more colored when in lay)
•       Legs less colored in lay
•       The breast bone should not be too sharp
  
•       A big broad bottom                                                                                                                                            ..............................................................................