The foundations for successful laying hen production are laid during pullet rearing, starting from the very first day of ^life¹. Following pullet rearing, the transfer to the laying hen house is a crucial stage in a hen’s life. In the rearing house, the pullets should first be allowed to develop as optimally as possible and become familiar with the house layout and the associated rearing system. After transfer, the hens must find their feet in a new rearing environment^.²

Although the housing systems used during rearing are generally modelled on those for laying hens, they differ in a number of respects, such as the position and number of tiers, the arrangement of the perches, and the feeding and watering facilities. Lighting conditions – particularly in free-range systems – as well as the care staff and management practices are also not identical. The rearing system for pullets should, as far as possible, correspond to the housing system in the laying hen house in terms of the lighting programme, feeding times and the timing of inspection rounds (Animal Welfare Ordinance for Farm Animals §14(1) sentence 4)^³. The birds should therefore be accustomed, whilst still in the pullet rearing phase, to everything they will encounter in the laying hen house. 

The laying performance and health of the future laying hen depend largely on the exchange of information between the rearing and laying farms. To ensure this exchange of information, the State Agricultural Agency of Hesse and the Foundation of the University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover have drawn up four handover protocols (two for the rearing farm and two for the laying hen farm).

The pullets should be calm and well-adjusted when they leave the rearing unit. This ensures that the pullets experience less stress from acclimatisation when they are moved into the laying house.¹

The birds are moved between the 16th and 18th weeks of life. By this stage, the flock’s vaccination programme should, where possible, have been fully completed. In particular, injections should have been administered at least two weeks before the move. Due to fasting (withholding feed prior to loading), transport and the repositioning of the feed and water equipment, a slight decline in weight gain is almost inevitable. However, this should be as short as possible; accordingly, the pullets should not fall below the average weight specified by the breeding company even before loading. 

High-quality pullets are characterised, amongst other things, by a high feed intake capacity that corresponds to their body size, depending on their specific genetics. Further characteristics include uniform flock growth, a full plumage, the ability to utilise multiple levels of the housing system, and a balanced temperament. The latter encompasses, in particular, a high tolerance to disturbances and low susceptibility to stress.

It is also of central importance to ensure that pullets can engage in their natural behaviours, such as pecking, scratching and dust bathing. This is facilitated by suitable materials such as textured and manipulable litter, pecking stones and/or alfalfa bales. 

These behaviours must be learnt at an early stage so that the enrichment materials familiar from the rearing phase can be utilised optimally in laying hen housing.⁴ 

It is important to take into account the specific requirements of the respective housing system, such as access to the outdoor environment and/or free-range areas (EU Organic Regulation 848/2018 and its Implementing Regulation, together with their currently applicable ^{interpretative guidelines7}). Enquiries should also be made regarding the extent to which these requirements have been implemented.

Successful communication between the rearing and laying hen farms can help to avoid potential additional stress for the pullets during the transfer1. If, within the first week of housing, it becomes apparent that the flock is underweight, the start of laying should be delayed by adjusting the feeding regime and the lighting programme so that the birds reach their optimal starting weight by the time they begin laying. 

To ensure the best possible preparation for future laying hens, the layer farmer should not only focus on the handover from the rearing farm, but also take the entire rearing period into account. This plays a key role in optimally preparing the house for the future laying hens. It is therefore advisable for the future layer farmer to visit the rearing farm in advance or to consult with it. ⁵

The following information should be obtained from the rearing farm: ⁶

• Basic information (number of places, hatch date, genetics, organic certificates, etc.)
• Housing (housing system, roughage/pecking material/dust bath)
• House climate (air quality, temperature, relative humidity)
• Lighting (light source, light quality and lighting times)
• Feed (feeding methods, feed during the rearing phase, planned feed prior to transfer to the growing house)
• Water (watering methods)
• Animal health (findings and animal losses)
• Animal weights (weight curve and current status)
• Animal welfare indicators (animal condition and development, behaviour)

Checklist: Pullet farmers – Checklist for pullet farm visits

To ensure they are fully prepared for the arrival of the pullets, layer farmers should receive key information regarding the pullets’ status from the rearing farm at least two weeks before delivery. For example, this should include details of the feed used prior to transfer, the pullets’ weight development and preventive measures, such as the timing of needle vaccinations. The rearing farm should also provide details of the enrichment materials used, such as pecking stones (including their current hardness levels), sources of roughage or the use of grit.⁵ 

For biosecurity reasons, a salmonella test should also be carried out two weeks before transfer (Poultry Salmonella Regulation (§13(2)(b))⁸).

Checklist: Pre-delivery report for pullet rearing farms

Upon delivery, the layer farmer receives the handover report either directly from the driver or by email. This contains basic data such as weight development, flock uniformity, vaccination status, transport information (fasting time, loading time) and current management guidelines. The management guidelines, particularly regarding feeding times and the lighting ^programme⁴, are crucial for ensuring the transition from the rearing house to the laying house is as stress-free as possible. A consistent lighting programme is designed to help the pullets maintain their usual daily rhythm, which has a positive effect on animal behaviour^⁴ and helps prevent behavioural disorders.^⁶

Further information

Checklist: Pullet rearer handover report

Upon arrival of the pullets at the laying farm, an initial animal inspection should be carried out to assess the condition of their plumage and general health, and this should be documented. It should also be checked whether there are any eggs in the transport crates and whether the birds can access water and feed immediately in the new housing system.⁶ 

Checklist: Initial animal inspection