Preparing Pullets - What to Expect for the Transition to Lay

The transition from the pullet to the laying phase is critical to a bird's success throughout production. There are a lot of moving parts, especially in larger operations. Let's break down some key factors and strategies to set your birds up for success.

Pullets should be sufficiently developed, both in body size and organ development, before light stimulation occurs. Body weights can be a good indicator of these, so leading up to and throughout this transition, they should be monitored closely. Weekly body weights on a representative sample of your flock can help make sure that they are on track and make any needed adjustments to their feeding program. These weights vary across different breeds and strains. Before you make the transition into the laying phase, ensure pullets have reached target body weights with little variation in overall uniformity in the flock.

The general body condition of the birds can also be assessed before the transition. Comb and wattle size and color can illustrate maturity, but will also differ between breeds. The birds should be well conditioned, with the keel bone being prominent and easily felt via palpation under a moderately developed breast muscle. When the pullet is getting ready to start producing eggs, the pelvic bones will start to widen or separate to increase the abdominal capacity needed for an egg to pass through the reproductive tract and out through the vent. This can be measured through palpation of the abdominal cavity. More space between the keel and pelvic bones and a softer abdomen demonstrate that a bird is currently in production. Though this process takes time, pullets may have a lower but still increasing capacity as they enter the transition period.

Beyond the physical characteristics of the pullets, timing is also crucial to the transition. They should be moved to the laying housing around 2–4 weeks before they start laying. Generally, this is between 16 and 18 weeks of age, although it may need to be adjusted based on the condition of the pullets or for non-production breeds and strains. Closer to 3 or 4 weeks pre-lay is ideal since the more time the pullets will have to recover from the stress of a move and adjust to their new environment, the more successful and productive they will be.

Steps can be taken to prepare for the transfer to the layer house. Conditions in the pullet house should be as similar as possible to the conditions in the laying house. This might mean gradually adjusting your temperatures or lighting to match that of the laying house in the last couple of weeks before transfer. Any vaccinations should be given at least a week before the transfer to ensure a prompt immune response without additional stress. Before birds are moved, the laying housing should be cleaned, disinfected, and allowed to dry. Good communication between the pullet grower and the layer producer is essential for many of these strategies, especially if those two parties are from different companies, farms, or organizations. If expectations are made clear from the start, both parties are more likely to follow through.

Efforts should be made to work the transfer around the normal routine of the birds, meaning that they are in the new housing by the time they would normally be fed. The timing of the transfer may also depend on the climate. If possible, avoid transport during extreme temperatures. If transport during these conditions is necessary, adjust the time of day to avoid the extremes and take precautions such as pre-heating the lay housing in cold weather.

Once the birds are in the new housing, it's important that they eat and drink as soon as possible. Feeders should be filled as soon as pullets arrive so that they can find feeders in their new space. Waterers should be adjusted to the correct height, and a lower pressure for the first few days may help to encourage intake. If laying equipment or systems are very different from those in the pullet housing, more involvement or training may be necessary during the first few weeks. This will vary depending on the differences in the two housing systems, but may include manually placing birds in a system at lights off or mobility aids like ramps. Birds should be observed closely during the first few weeks after this move. Continued weekly body weights can help ensure that the birds remain on track, and intervention can occur quickly if not.

There are many factors that can aid in the transition from the pullet to the laying phase. The process might look different for various sizes, housing systems, and types of operations, but the basic concepts remain the same. Planning and adjusting as needed will help set your birds up for success, regardless of which part of the operation you are involved in.

Reviewed by Ashley Bigge, Ph.D. and Gregory P Martin, Ph.D., PAS of Penn State Extension