For all the mechanical sensors (thermometers, humidity sensors, air quality sensors and even weighing scales) that can be installed in a house, the best sensors of all are the birds themselves. Observing their movements, their positioning on the floor, other behaviour and even their produce (eggs) can tell you a lot about their needs.

Information on egg weights can be invaluable

Whilst weighing eggs and monitoring changes in egg weight might not seem a priority, the information which can be gained from this practice can be invaluable.

The key is to combine monitoring of daily egg weight with trends in bodyweight. Egg weight and changes in egg weight can often be an early indicator of less than optimum nutrition intake.

A change in egg weight will be noted before an effect on production occurs. A drop in egg weights implies inadequate nutrition, while over-feeding and excess nutrient intake will lead to a rise in egg weight.

Using daily egg weight in conjunction with bodyweight trends provides the farm manager with information which will allow any issues to be detected early, aiding accurate management decisions of bird feed allocation during production.