Prolapse in commercial layers

I do have layers which are 21 weeks old. They are dying in numbers, now averaging 30 birds a day.  I have 56,000 layers . They have difficulty laying and at times the eggs get tack in their rectum. They appear to have difficulties breathing and earlier post-mortem shows that they have flems in their throat. they way average of 1650 kg/bird. There is no overcrowding, no pecking has been observed. Please help me. What are my options?

What happens in open houses in Pakistan with seasonal flocks:

1-Mostly birds are under weight during rearing.
2-Early stimulation starts due to seasonal variation.
3-Under weight,early stimulated bird now reach at production but can't take required feed due hot & humid weather

Ultimately faces problems especially PROLAPSE along with more starter eggs,post peek dip. I suggest farmer should have temp.control facilities & understanding of lighting program along with other professionals recommendations.

Prolapse could be triggered by various factors which some of our learned panelists have so clearly indicated.
I would only add to these by pointing out a few more. One of them is Vent Gleet or infection of the cloaca which can develop into Prolapse- this happens in isolated cases and not in the form of a flock problem as is the case here. What I have seen being more critical is that certain good breeds of layers can be more prone to prolapse when the right skeletal development and body weights are not met during the growing period. A more important factor is the skeletal development during the growing phase. Much of the skeletal frame (more than 80%) growth is completed in the chicken by the age of 10 to 12 weeks and the opportunity of further growth after 12 weeks is very limited. Of course body weights can increase after this stage, but much of it is often in the form of fat which will further predispose birds to prolapse because the presence of excessive abdominal fat reduces the flexibility of the muscles around the pelvic region to make way for the egg. A healthy and well developed skeletal frame is a must for avoiding prolapse in layers. Another point to be borne in mind is that when we look at the average body weight, there could be many birds which are either far below this average as also those which are excessively high in body weights. We should take care of those which habitually fall far below the standard body weight during the growing phase.I am sure there are many more reasons for prolapse which are perhaps still unknown to many of us. Sharing in a forum like this will certainly benefit everyone in the business.

Very useful and practical suggestions given by all experienced personalities.
I want to add a point that whenever the feed type is changed, the fiber and other levels changes. Particularly in broiler breeder at 6-8 WK and 15-17 WK age during growing period, the feed is changed and subsequently we observe getting cases of prolapse in growing flocks. During laying all points have been covered, I think so. If we take care of all these, we can get rid of it.

Thanks

Dear Chandra Shekhor,

You may be informed the causes and suggestions to do against prolapse. In addition to this, here you have to concentrate on body weight of birds ..if the birds body weight are below standard weight, that may be cause of prolapse. Here you can add a little bit extra protein concentrate, Amino Acid methionine, lysine, arginine and lighting program should not last more than 12hrs per day until having the 5% eggs and body weight gain 1.7-1.75kg per bird at 22-24 wks of age and gradually increase the lighting per day 15-30 mins at every 2-5 days skip also relation with percentage of egg production, Maximum lighting hrs provided 15.5-16hr per day at peak production to cull. Maybe get released from prolapse problems.

Thank you, 

Hello, Ahmed, 4-6 wks body weight is critical is the growing period up to 10 wks skeletal formation followed by sexual maturity. N.B if you miss the first it will be reversed.

For your case look at light stimulation may be you were too first or stimulated when weights are poor (birds with smaller flame). Look at ME. CP CA levels in your diet, check bone status if very soft then look at ca. p metabolism

Prolapse of the cloaca is a multifactorial problem observed in layers
Most of the commercial firms make selection for high egg production in white and brown lines
Today most of the commercial lines are excellent lines with a high potential og high productivity for a long time.
in the past, some of the prolapse problems observed were more related to the genetic selection, but in the last decade almost all brown and white layers have excellent production rates and no prolapse of the cloaca.

In most of the cases observed in the last years the problems observed in some farm,s are management and nutritional related with the most important factor inducing this problem: Too Early Induction of Fast Production in Hens with Low Body Weights".
The sexual maturity in layers can appear as early as 15 weeks of age, but the development of the body to be ready for egg production should be according to the body weight determined by the line developers, In most manuals hens should not start production before they reach the recommended body weight, induction of early lay by bad light programs or introduction of feed rich in Ca and protein and energy will induce early production in birds with lower weights than required, the moment these birds start laying they stop growing!!!! and then we obtain many immature hens in early production with small body frames and low body weights,
Similar to bringing into pregnancy an 11-12 girl!
To avoid this prolapses the rearing farm must grow the pullets with a light program according to the hatching time and when the chicks are supposed to be moved to the laying farms, they must keep body weights according to graph recommendations of the line.
Do not add any light until the birds are at 20% production, try to delay production to 20 weeks if possible with diets containing less Ca, Protein and Energy.
weight the hens twice a week to see the body development, never add light if the chicks are underweight.
after start of lay at 19-20 weeks give 12 hours light only and add 15 minutes a week until 15 hours max.
Prolapse of cloaca is the result of a too early induction of egg production when the birds are nor physiologically mature and in most cases is due to management and nutritional mistakes.