How to raise a “Super Layer”: a modern feeding strategy to achieve 500 eggs per cycle
Unlock genetic potential with structured diets for each stage. Ensure stronger shells, better immunity, and sustainable performance. Learn more now!
Recent advances in poultry genetics are impressive: leading breeding companies target 500–550 eggs per hen within a 100-week laying cycle. But is genetics alone enough? The answer is no. Unlocking this potential is impossible without a precise and structured feeding program, especially during early development.
Feeding must be tailored step-by-step to match the bird’s age-specific requirements for energy, protein, calcium, fiber, and other essential nutrients. It’s crucial to account for daily feed intake and nutrient density—this approach ensures balanced formulas aligned with actual consumption. Below is an overview of nutritional benchmarks by phase of growth and production.
Feeding must be tailored step-by-step to match the bird’s age-specific requirements for energy, protein, calcium, fiber, and other essential nutrients. It’s crucial to account for daily feed intake and nutrient density—this approach ensures balanced formulas aligned with actual consumption. Below is an overview of nutritional benchmarks by phase of growth and production.
Estimated Nutritional Targets by Phase
Phase | Age (weeks) | Feed Intake (g/day) | Energy (kcal/day) | Key Objective |
Pre-starter | 0–2 | 13–15 | 100 | Gut, immunity, microbiota development |
Starter | 2–7 | 42–47 | 119–127 | Skeleton, muscles, coccidiosis prevention |
Grower | 8–10 | 52–57 | 145–155 | Smooth transition to next phase |
Developer | 11–14 | 68–73 | 187–199 | Gizzard development, energy reserves |
Pre-lay | 15–17 | 72–82 | 200–245 | Calcium adaptation, appetite maintenance |
Early Lay | 18–25 | ~85–100 | 250–280 | Growth + egg onset, avoiding weight loss |
Peak | 26–40 | 105–115 | 280–300 | Maximum productivity, Ca/P balance |
Post-peak Phase | 41–70 | 110–115 | 270–290 | Shell quality, mineral balance |
Final Phase | 71–100 | 105–110 | 260–280 | Body condition, stable long-term performance |
To realize the genetic potential of modern laying hens capable of 500–550 eggs per cycle, a precise feeding strategy must be implemented from the very first days of life.
It all begins with the pre-starter phase, lasting the first two weeks. Despite a low feed intake of only 13–15 grams daily, this period is critical for developing key systems: intestinal health, immune function, and microbiota. Feed must be highly concentrated in energy (45–49 kcal/day) and enriched with amino acids like glutamine or arginine. Insoluble fiber is also essential, stimulating villi growth and supporting enzymatic activity.
During the starter phase (2–7 weeks), birds enter a period of rapid growth. Feed intake rises to 42–47 g/day, with energy needs increasing to 127 kcal. Although crude protein levels can be slightly reduced, the amino acid profile must remain optimal. Gut health remains a priority, as does the prevention of coccidiosis and introducing coarser feed textures to aid digestion.
The grower phase (8–10 weeks) requires stability; abrupt changes in formulation should be avoided.
Between 11 and 16 weeks, the primary goal is to develop the gizzard, enabling birds to consume 100+ grams of feed per day during peak egg laying. A balanced mix of soluble and insoluble fiber is essential during this stage.
The pre-lay period (17–19 weeks) prepares the bird’s physiology for eggshell formation. Calcium should be gradually introduced—up to 50% of the future laying requirement—to avoid reduced feed intake due to mineral overload.
From week 19 to 25, hens enter the early laying phase. The body is still maturing, so diets must be energy-dense and rich in amino acids and minerals. This is followed by the peak production phase (up to week 40), where egg output reaches its maximum. Diets must support skeletal strength, shell quality, and liver health through calcium balance, antioxidants, and moderate energy.
The post-peak phase (40–70 weeks) focuses on maintaining shell integrity and preventing deficiencies in trace elements like manganese, zinc, and selenium. Antioxidants are especially beneficial for managing oxidative stress during this phase.
Finally, in the late production stage (70–100 weeks), it is vital to maintain feed structure and nutrient digestibility, as ageing birds have reduced digestive efficiency. Coarse calcium particles should be prioritized for slow release, and amino acid levels should be adjusted to align with declining metabolic activity. The goal in this phase is to sustain productivity and maintain condition with minimal drop-off.
Birds should consume water continuously, including at night. Systems must allow for uninterrupted access.
It all begins with the pre-starter phase, lasting the first two weeks. Despite a low feed intake of only 13–15 grams daily, this period is critical for developing key systems: intestinal health, immune function, and microbiota. Feed must be highly concentrated in energy (45–49 kcal/day) and enriched with amino acids like glutamine or arginine. Insoluble fiber is also essential, stimulating villi growth and supporting enzymatic activity.
During the starter phase (2–7 weeks), birds enter a period of rapid growth. Feed intake rises to 42–47 g/day, with energy needs increasing to 127 kcal. Although crude protein levels can be slightly reduced, the amino acid profile must remain optimal. Gut health remains a priority, as does the prevention of coccidiosis and introducing coarser feed textures to aid digestion.
The grower phase (8–10 weeks) requires stability; abrupt changes in formulation should be avoided.
Between 11 and 16 weeks, the primary goal is to develop the gizzard, enabling birds to consume 100+ grams of feed per day during peak egg laying. A balanced mix of soluble and insoluble fiber is essential during this stage.
The pre-lay period (17–19 weeks) prepares the bird’s physiology for eggshell formation. Calcium should be gradually introduced—up to 50% of the future laying requirement—to avoid reduced feed intake due to mineral overload.
From week 19 to 25, hens enter the early laying phase. The body is still maturing, so diets must be energy-dense and rich in amino acids and minerals. This is followed by the peak production phase (up to week 40), where egg output reaches its maximum. Diets must support skeletal strength, shell quality, and liver health through calcium balance, antioxidants, and moderate energy.
The post-peak phase (40–70 weeks) focuses on maintaining shell integrity and preventing deficiencies in trace elements like manganese, zinc, and selenium. Antioxidants are especially beneficial for managing oxidative stress during this phase.
Finally, in the late production stage (70–100 weeks), it is vital to maintain feed structure and nutrient digestibility, as ageing birds have reduced digestive efficiency. Coarse calcium particles should be prioritized for slow release, and amino acid levels should be adjusted to align with declining metabolic activity. The goal in this phase is to sustain productivity and maintain condition with minimal drop-off.
- This feeding strategy can be successfully implemented using Feedlance concentrates for pullets and layers. Our 5%, 10%, and 20% concentrates offer precise blends of vitamins, amino acids, minerals, and functional additives tailored to every production phase. These formulas are compatible with modern genetics and deliver consistent performance, even under challenging farm conditions.ntainers for sampling. Avoid glass (boron/silica contamination).
- Samples must be cooled and sent to a certified lab within 24 hours.
Birds should consume water continuously, including at night. Systems must allow for uninterrupted access.
Conclusions:
- Each phase has specific physiological objectives—from gut formation to eggshell integrity.
- Diets must reflect both age and actual daily feed intake.
- High-quality concentrates like Feedlance allow flexible, targeted feeding programs matched to genetics and production systems.
- Proper early nutrition is key to achieving stable, high egg output for up to 100 weeks and beyond 500 eggs per cycle.
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