Reproduction & Egg Production

Reproductive output is a chain: pullet growth and uniformity determine maturity; hen nutrition and health affect ovulation, egg formation and shell quality; male condition and semen quality influence fertility; egg handling and incubation determine hatch. A loss at any point can appear as fewer saleable chicks or eggs. Cracked shells, production drop, delayed lay, infertile eggs and poor hatchability therefore require different investigations rather than one generic breeder supplement.

Start with flock age, body weight, uniformity, feed intake, egg mass and lighting records. In layers, assess shell defects by type and review calcium particle size, phosphorus, vitamin D, sodium, water salinity, heat stress and disease. In breeders, break hatch loss into true fertility and embryonic mortality using breakout data. Evaluate male:female ratio, mating activity, male body condition, foot and leg health, semen findings where available, and spiking history. Older males can lose libido or semen quality even when hen production remains acceptable. Compare floor eggs, nest acceptance and egg-storage duration because handling losses can resemble biological decline. Phytogenic and nutritional support may assist maturity, uterine function, stress recovery, egg production, semen quality and vigour, but it cannot correct poor lighting, nutrient shortage, disease, incubation errors or insufficient mating opportunity. E-Plus is positioned for female egg-production and maturity concerns, while L-Plus is specifically relevant to male breeders. Use stage-specific schedules from the product data and measure the relevant endpoint rather than combining both sides of reproduction into one performance number.