How to Prevent Cage Layer Fatigue

Cage layer fatigue is a disease which affects hens just some time before they finally lay eggs. Egg-laying hens often don’t eat enough during egg production time, especially when they are caged. Apart from hens, this disease can also affect ducks and turkeys. When they hens don’t get enough nutrition, their legs get bowed due to soft bones. It cannot stand or walk properly after that. To prevent the ones from getting soft, the hens need to be given the right dose of calcium and phosphorus. Even if the hens get affected by this disease and it can be diagnosed in the early state; giving them enough nutrients can make them well again.

Bird feed should be fortified with calcium and phosphorus. Le the ratio of calcium to phosphorus is 2:1. This is the right amount needed by the hens and this can cause proper bone calcification. In your enthusiasm to keep the hens healthy, you should not give them more nutrients than necessary as this can other diseases like rickets. The hens have a certain requirement for the nutrients and you should not exceed it or give less.
Fortify the bird feed with Vitamin D3. This vitamin is very helpful in regulating the absorption of calcium by the hens. If the hens are already affected by the cage layer fatigue, then you should increase the does by 3-4 times of the normal dosage. This will help the calcification to be quick which will make the hens recover soon.
It is very important that the food and water container of the hens should be clean. There should be no mold or fungus in them. There are toxins in molds and fungi which can be harmful for the hens. These toxins will disturb the absorption of calcium by the hens. The food that you give the hens should be consumed by 4 hours. If not, you should remove it. If left in the containers for longer, it will be contaminated by molds and fungus which can again be harmful for the hens.
The hens tend to develop cage layer fatigue as they are cooped up inside and are not able to exercise their limbs. If you let the hens out from their coops and leave them in the open, they will get a lot of exercise. If they are already affected by the diseases, exercising will help them recover faster.

If you pay heed to these instructions, you can prevent cage layer fatigue. The hens need the right kind of food fortified with nutrients to be able to lay eggs. They want to be free to move about and not be caged up during egg production. If you realize this in advance then you can prevent the disease. Even if you find symptoms of the disease in the hens, you can take corrective measures as given in these instructions. You will find the hens healthy once again. Don’t forget to keep the area clean as this can have a bearing on any kind of diseases in the hens.